Potted summer bulbs: real eye-catchers on your balcony or terrace

Once the danger of night frost has passed, it is time to plant summer bulbs. Perhaps you don’t have a garden. Not to worry! Summer bulbs thrive planted in pots as well. With so many varieties available, you can you create the most colourful displays. You can enjoy these eye-catchers on your terrace or balcony for months this very year.

Exuberant effect

All summer bulbs are suitable for planting in pots. They come in all manner of shapes and colours. Five of the best known ones include: dahlia, Begonia, gladiolus, Calla and lily. They all have their own charm, so it all depends on what you like. Low-growing summer bulbs are particularly suitable for pots, such as dahlias up to about 50 centimetres tall and tuberous begonias. For an extra exuberant effect, mix several varieties of summer bulbs together. It is a smart choice if you want to extend the flowering period. Some flowers, such as dahlias and begonias, will actually continue to flower until the first frost! More information and varieties are available at www.flowerbulbs.co.uk.

Step-by-step plan for planting summer bulbs in pots

1. Decide which and how many bulbs you want to plant. The bulbs or tubers should easily fit in the pot, so there is plenty of room for the roots. Choose pots with a hole in the bottom to allow excess water to drain away.
2. Fill the pot with potting soil, keeping the planting depth stated on the package and a few inches for watering in mind.
3. Place the bulbs/tubers on the soil.
4. Cover the bulbs with potting soil. Keep a few centimetres free below the rim for watering. Gently press down the soil.
5. Water sufficiently, to prevent drying out.

Now it’s time to look forward to the colourful results.

Perfect for empty spots

• Why not brighten up a bare patch in your border by adorning it with one of these brightly coloured pots?
• Arrange several pots together in the area where you like to sit, to create a lovely outdoor spot where you can just be, and relax.
• Position these eye-catchers in a spot where you will also be able to see them from the inside.