If you’re clearing out your large containers at this time of year, or planting small evergreens in them for winter color and interest, consider getting two for one: stick some bulbs in those pots and boxes now and see flowers appear early in the spring. If your containers will be staying out for the winter you might as well cram them full of as many bulbs as you can. And no, November isn’t too late!
Here’s the key for success: you’ll want to have very good drainage in those pots and boxes over the winter so that the bulbs don’t rot. That means you probably shouldn’t stick the bulbs in among the roots of last season’s annuals since that congestion will keep the soil moist through the winter. If you replace even the top 8″ with new potting mix you’ll be better off. Be sure the drainage holes are open and not covered with rocks, screening, coffee filters or other needless debris. Keep the drainage holes open so they can actually drain!
In the fall I planted this trough with assorted dwarf evergreens, a couple of ornamental kale and a variegated Carex. I also stuck in some lichen-covered branches for height, and because I love lichen. But what you can’t see is that on all sides of these evergreens I placed tulip bulbs. These plants and sticks pleased me all winter long.
Come spring, however, it was a color explosion when the tulips emerged.
So take the time to poke in spring-flowering bulbs now, be it in the ground or in large containers. Next spring you’ll be glad you did.
