Planting Bulbs in Containers

Enjoy growing bulbs in containers if you don't have the space or time to plant a large number of bulbs. In six months these potted bulbs come to life with color and fragrance.

Planting in containers is the perfect alternative for gardeners with small spaces. Almost every variety of bulb will do well in a container. Here, master gardener Chris Dawson demonstrates with a combination of hyacinth, dwarf 'Tete-a-Tete' daffodils and purple Iris reticula.

• Choose a container that's suitable to where it will be placed. Terra cotta may crack in freezing weather, so choose plastic for outdoor containers.
  
• All pots need excellent drainage.
  
• Use a potting mix composed of peat, perlite and/or vermiculite.
  
• Be sure the soil is damp, but not soaking wet, when planting bulbs.
  
• Place the hyacinth bulbs six inches deep in the container. Be sure that the bulbs don't touch each other or the sides of the container. Add two inches of potting soil.
  
• Place the daffodils and add another two inches of soil.
  
• Place the iris and add a top layer of soil two inches deep.
  
• Water the container regularly--don't let it dry out.

Bulbs need about three months of cold weather. If you live in a colder zone, put the container outside and let Mother Nature do the work. In warmer zones, put the container in the refrigerator. In the coldest zones, bury the container in the ground to protect the bulbs during freezing weather.

Also in this Episode

Seasoned Gardener : Episode SGN-306
•	Designing with Bulbs
•	Planting a Bulb Garden
•	Naturalizing Bulbs
•	Planting Bulbs in Containers