Dig holes and plant the crocus bulbs 3-4" deep and 2-3" apart. Crocus Planting Guide - WHEN: Plant Crocus bulbs in the fall, they bloom in early spring/late winter. Planting time for pots and containers is the same as for your garden: Fall. Naturalizing bulbs is a terrific way to brighten up lawns. If you like, you can plant just 1 bulb in the pot. How you plant them is crucial to success. In the spring, as they start to bloom, you can then sink the pots into larger display containers. Plant your bulbs in small 6-inch or 8-inch plastic pots and overwinter them under protection outdoors (in a cold frame, for instance) or in a cold garage. Crocuses can be grown in pots, either on their own, or mixed with other spring-flowering bulbs. PLANTING DEPTH AND SPACING. Choose an assortment of bulbs. Crocus species and cultivars are mostly very hardy and are easily grown plants that are particularly well suited to rockery planting. So avoid soggy soil at all cost – this means places where you can still see puddles 5-6 hours after a rainstorm. To retrieve corms from a previous planting, dig them up and separate them before replanting. Here’s a list of what you’ll need to get started. If you want to fill your garden with colour next spring, plant bulbs from October to December, before the first frost. I have them out in the open at the moment but with the heavy rain we’ve had they are looking quite wet. For autumn blooming crocuses, plant bulbs in late summer. The biggest reason why crocus flowers don’t do well is overwatering. Extend the bloom period by planting separate containers with varieties that have various bloom dates (early, mid-, and late season). Naturalizing bulbs is a terrific way to brighten up lawns. The first thing to do after planting is to water well. Snowdrops and snow crocus [often called ‘species’ crocus] will … Monty Don shows us how to plant spring bulbs such as irises and crocus in pots. Search for: Categories. Once the crocus bulbs begin to sprout, and offers the flower pot in a place lighter, but always fresh, for example, in the open air. J.Parker's Blog. Bulbs in pots can be planted more shallowly than bulbs the garden, but using the recommended depth will help the flowers stand tall. Don’t plant them across the yard or you may miss them completely. Many gardeners who grow crocus plant corms (bulbs) once, and then allow this flower to grow naturally in wild areas of their lawns. Water: Give the crocus flower well-drained potting soil. One large container that’s at least 10-12″ deep with good drainage in the bottom. Scientific Name: Crocus spp., mainly C. chrysanthus, C. flavus, C. sieberi, C. tommasinianus and C. vernus. How to Plant Daffodil, Tulip and Other Bulbs in Pots. It is often the first flower to bloom once winter ends, and their waxy leaf and leaf covering allows them protection from frost. They work best in rock gardens or in spots which are very visible. How you plant them is crucial to success. Growing bulbs in pots is one of the smartest and easiest things you can do in your garden, and it has a huge payoff. It might seem a quick solution to fill your container with soil from your garden, but it’s better to use a mix of potting soil and sandy soil to mimic the ground the bulbs came from. Plant bulbs in pots, and by the time warm weather arrives, you'll have a colorful display of big, splashy blooms to welcome the coming of spring. After planting, water your bulbs well, thoroughly soaking the area. Reserve small pots for crocus and muscari, midsize for hyacinths, and larger pots for tulips and daffodils. Balcony container gardeners can keep a windowbox or a container of these in their container plant gardens and also enjoy their two-week-long flower blooms. Crocuses are tough cookies that are easy to grow, but one thing they hate is getting their feet wet: a crocus bulb that is ‘bathing’ in water will rot in no time. If you do it, it will help you to make sure that the bulbs stay erect. Planting bulbs in containers means you know exactly where they are, you can move them wherever they need to go to chill, and you can place them on your patio, steps, porch, or wherever they’re going to cause the biggest sensation in spring. They look breathtaking in large groups. When to plant: September to November. WIDTH & DEPTH: 3” apart, 2-3” deep. The early, more delicate bulbs such as daffodils, crocus and hyacinths need to be in by the end of September if you want them to flower in March. Plant bulbs in mid-October for a February display of color and in mid-November for early spring blooms. In the spring, as they start to bloom, you can then sink the pots into larger display containers. HOME; SHOP. They’ll successfully naturalise in grass to make a lovely spring meadow. You want the bulbs to sit at least three inches apart. Plant your bulbs about 6 weeks before spring. By planting bulbs in pots, you amplify these plants’ beautiful flowers. Release date: 16 September 2017 . Plant your bulbs in small 6-inch or 8-inch plastic pots and overwinter them under protection outdoors (in a cold frame, for instance) or in a cold garage. Propagation: To propagate crocus plants, you can grow them from seed, but most gardeners use corms, which are a bulblike stem from a mother plant. Plant the corms around 4 inches deep in gritty, well-drained soil. Free Shipping on all gifts and orders over $30! Here are our tips to get the best results. Plant the saffron bulbs (corms) at a depth of 10 to 15 cm below the ground and 15 cm apart, keeping the pointed side upwards. Growing crocus in small pots shows them off perfectly. If you have squirrels in your garden, place a mesh cover over the container in autumn and winter, it’ll stop them digging. If you live in hardiness zone 9 or higher, the soil won’t get cold enough for the root-developing process to happen, but you might consider forcing. After crocuses have finished blooming, don’t cut the foliage straight away: through photosynthesis the leaves will create nutrients that the bulb will be needing for its next growing season. Tulips are the main exception to this rule because they can be planted in late autumn or even early winter without adversely affecting the flowering for the following season. Plant the bulbs in the pot in the fall, before any frosts arrive. Crocus - Normal spring flowering crocus should be planted in autumn as bulbs (corms) but are also available at potted clumps in spring. DutchGrown LLC, 827 Lincoln Ave. Unit 8, West Chester, PA 19380, Signup to receive our latest news and hottest promotions, Like all flower bulbs, crocuses need a cold period to develop their roots and get ready for spring. True bulbs are like onions: layers of skin and an embryo of the plant it will eventually turn into. Then you need a bright spot at a temperature of 15 degrees. Soil-less potting mix. google_ad_height = 200; In planting the bulbs, you need to remember that the pointy ends must face up and the blunt ends face down. Ideally, plant crocus corms 6 to 8 weeks before a hard frost is expected and when the soil temperature is below 60°F (16°C). Learn how to plant, grow, and care for crocus bulbs with our planting guide. /* BCGRside */ Since crocuses grow less well when they have to fight for nutrients with their fellow bulbs, it’s best to plant them 3” apart. Reserve small pots for crocus and muscari, midsize for hyacinths, and larger pots for tulips and daffodils. Be sure to visit our shop and browse our collection of crocus bulbs! Check the planting depth instructions on the package. Intro: The beautiful crocus flower comes in many colors, including blue, purple, light orange, yellow and white, and it has thin, grasslike leaves. Plant Type: Perennial flower. The biggest reason why crocus flowers don’t do well is overwatering. Newer Post, © Copyright 2020 DutchGrown. Release date: 16 September 2017 . Fall is the time to plant your Saffron Crocus bulbs, and it's also the time when you can expect to see the first bloom on this perennial flower. Grow a bulb garden for winter indoor beauty. Tulips will be last. Planting bulbs in pots is an opportunity to really get creative. To start with choose bulb varieties that flower at different times. Water your bulbs well after planting. Certain species, such as Crocus gargaricus, need moist but well-drained soil and will grow in partial shade too. For autumn blooming crocuses, plant bulbs in late summer. After the crocuses have bloomed don’t cut off the foliage. WATER: Once after planting, moderately in spring. Text: JOIN (256) 596-8469 for exclusive discounts! After the foliage is established, the saffron crocus bulbs will send up numerous pale purple flowers. For the best results with this plant, pick a site that gets plenty of direct sunlight and has a well-drained sandy, loamy soil. Bulb food. Year after year they come out from between rocks or grass before anything else begins to grow. When to plant spring bulbs. This is usually during September and October in the northern U.S. and Canada, and October and November in the southern United States. Choose an assortment of bulbs. In order to flower, spring-blooming bulbs require a chilling period of 8 to 14 weeks at temperatures between 35° and 40° F. To simulate the effect of winter, place container in a cool, dark place such as an unheated, frost-free basement, garage, or porch. If you live in hardiness zone 4-7 and your pot is made from terracotta or is smaller than 24” in diameter, it’s best to place the pot indoors in a cool spot where there is no chance of freezing temperatures. To help the bulbs settle and grow roots quickly, it’s important to water them well after planting, but after that you won’t have to water them again. Do not use garden soil. Site the pots in full sun and keep them well watered, especially in early spring, about three to four weeks before flowering. One large container that’s at least 10-12″ deep with good drainage in the bottom. Menu and widgets. All rights reserved. If you live in hardiness zone 9 or higher, the soil won’t get cold enough for the root-developing process to happen, but you might consider. Now all you have to do is wait patiently for winter to do its magic underground, and spring to surprise you with the rewards of your work. Keep them dryer in the summer and water them a little more in the fall. In the North this will be in September or October, in the South in October or November. Step 2: Choose a Potting Mix. Plant most spring-planted bulbs so they’re closer and shallower than they would be in the ground — but not as close and shallow as fall-planted bulbs in pots. So once you feel fall’s first chill in the air, it’s time to get planting. Now the bulb will be going dormant, and won’t need any watering until next spring. Wait until the soil is 60 degrees Fahrenheit or colder. A few days later, the buds will jump. During blooming season, you generally don’t have to water your crocuses, but you can water them when there hasn’t been any rain for 3-5 days. Growing crocus in small pots shows them off perfectly. Pick a spot in your garden that gets full sun or partial shade. Face the flat side of tulip bulbs outward toward the wall of the pot. You could do layered bulb planting in the border but where this is most effective is when you plant layers of different varieties of flower bulbs in pots. Spring-flowering bulbs should be planted from early autumn, so they have time to produce new roots before the onset of winter. Most crocus varieties need to be planted in a sunny, open position. If you want to fill your garden with colour next spring, plant bulbs from October to December, before the first frost. Choosing and Preparing a Planting Site Check the planting depth instructions on the package. You can however ignore the standard spacing guidelines and plant the bulbs … Cover the drainage hole with a piece of pot. Info: Crocus flowers will reproduce so prolifically that they will come back every year. Many gardeners suggest to plant the bulb at a depth of 5 cm, but planting them deep will ensure flowering. How to Plant Daffodil, Tulip and Other Bulbs in Pots. When it comes to planting bulbs in containers, the mantra is exactly the same: drainage-drainage-drainage. Snowdrops and snow crocus [often called ‘species’ crocus] will be first to bloom. For a 1-inch-tall crocus bulb, use a 5-inch-deep pot (3 inches of soil, 1 inch for the bulb, 1-inch space at top). Amend soil with organic material to raise the level 2–3" and improve drainage. Plant crocus bulbs in drifts spaced 5-15 cm apart. Bulbs in pots can be planted more shallowly than bulbs the garden, but using the recommended depth will help the flowers stand tall. When you plant bulbs in pots, you protect them from squirrels and moles. Keep them dryer in the summer and water them a little more in the fall. A surprisingly large number of perennial bulbs do well in grass, such as snowdrops (Galanthus), crocuses (Crocus), squills (Scilla), checkered lilies (Fritillaria meleagris) and plenty others charming bulbs. Fertilizer is not necessary. In the fall, plant these bulbs-except tulips, which don't rebloom well-in a garden bed and purchase new bulbs to pot up in containers. You can store bulbs and use the plant container for another planting before replanting the corms in the fall. Try out different combinations and ring the changes with new varieties each year. After that, give a little push so that they get inside the soil. Plant tender summer-flowering bulbs, including gladioli, in early spring; Summer Autumn. Search our blog for tips, tutorials and the top varieties of the season. Bulb food. Water: Give the crocus flower well-drained potting soil. The bulbs are small and rounded, with slight pointed tops - plant with the points facing upwards. Plant bulbs in mid-October for a February display of color and in mid-November for early spring blooms. I’ve potted crocus and tête-à-tête bulbs in terracotta pots. Moreover, they must be planted 10 cm deep. Once planted, bulbs will need to be kept in a cool place for 16 to 18 weeks - the simplest thing to do is plant your bulbs in late autumn then leave them in a sheltered garage or shed during the winter. Smaller plants, like crocus, should be planted about 4 in (10 cm) deep. Planting In Pot; If you plant iris bulbs in pots, you can directly put them on its surface. Planting bulbs in pots is a unique way to add early spring color to your yard, garden, porch, patio or deck. As a guide, you can fit between 6-8 crocus bulbs in a pot which is 6in in diameter. For a continuous display of color, force several bulbs and stagger the planting times. Soil-less potting mix. New plants can also be obtained through division. In fall, you’re looking to plant spring-blooming crocuses, which may just be labelled “crocus”. So once you feel fall’s first chill in the air, it’s time to get planting. Crocus: There are fall crocuses and spring crocuses, which can be a bit confusing when you’re looking at planting times. This easy-to-care-for plant doesn't need a lot of attention or watering. Plant bulbs in pots, and by the time warm weather arrives, you'll have a colorful display of big, splashy blooms to welcome the coming of spring. I have put gravel over the top. The bulbs are small and rounded, with slight pointed tops - plant with the points facing upwards. Crocuses need the sun to grow, but though they adore basking in its glory all day, they can also do very well in places with dappled shade or scattered sunlight. The temperature should stay between 35 to 45 F. (1-7 C.). Planting “In The Green” If you wish to plant “in the green”, then your snowdrops should be planted at the same depth as they were growing before being lifted. WHERE: USDA Hardiness zone 3-8, full sun or partial shade, well-draining soil. Spade or trowel; Garden gloves; Water; Now it’s time to plant the bulbs! These 3- to 4-inch-high early bloomers are easy to grow and care for in a balcony container garden. Duration: 4 minutes This clip is from. Scientific Name: Crocus spp., mainly C. chrysanthus, C. flavus, C. sieberi, C. tommasinianus and C. vernus. Overwinter your container-planted Crocuses in an unheated garage to help mitigate the effects of both very cold nights and major temperature swings. Loved by gardeners, Crocus flowers are easy to grow and produce bright and beautiful blooms. Skip to content. Use a bulb fertilizer. You want your potted bulbs to begin to bloom around the same time as bulbs planted outdoors, usually in early spring. Learn when and how to plant Crocus bulbs here. //-->, Copyright 2010-2018 BalconyContainerGardening.com, How to Grow and Care for Crocus in Containers. In the fall, garden centers and catalogs are full of hardy bulbs to plant in our gardens in October, spend the winter underground, and then bloom in spring. Water your bulbs well after planting. The best time to plant autumn-flowering Crocu s is late July to September. Add a layer of compost at the bottom of the pot to a minimum depth of 10cm for roots to grow in. Planting. Older Post The goal is to make the most of the limited space, but since spring-planted bulbs have to support top-growth all summer long instead of for just a few weeks in the spring, they need more room. There should be at least five inches of soil on the base and a further three inches over the top of the bulbs. Plant the crocus bulbs about 2-3” deep and 3” apart, placing them in the soil with their pointy ends up. They will bloom that same fall, with foliage to follow in the spring. Minor Bulbs The minor bulbs include snowdrops, glory-of-the-snow, aconite, pushkinia, grape hyacinths, and giant and species crocus. Plant your autumn crocus bulbs in the summer, when they are dormant. Get a pot or box with at least some drainage holes at the bottom. Water well once and wait for spring, or, when you live in hardiness zone 3-7, water well and bring the containers indoors, letting them spend the winter in a cool spot like an unheated garage or basement. Like all flower bulbs, crocuses need a cold period to develop their roots and get ready for spring. Autumn is the best time to plant spring bulbs, because the soil is still warm. google_ad_client = "ca-pub-2993162440861364"; These plants are perfect for pots and borders and will flower from September into November. Light: Full sun. During growth the corm is consumed by the plant itself, which also creates new corms for next season, making crocuses naturalizing flowers. Duration: 4 minutes This clip … To force crocus bulbs, schedule indoor planting any time between mid-September and early December. or read more about me. My question is where should I store them over winter. Add plenty of grit for drainage. Plant bulbs at a depth of around 5 inches (12.5cm) so that there is only a couple of inches (5cm) of soil above the bulb. The pot should be relatively deep and spacious. Choose preferably a wide, dish-shaped container (approximately 8-12in in diameter) with a drainage hole in the bottom and a drip tray which fits underneath; Fill the container almost to the top, leaving around 1in of space at the top. Those planted in September may be slightly slower to wake up than those planted in October or November. This is usually during September and October in the northern U.S. and Canada, and October and November in the southern United States. They'll need at least 15 weeks of cold weather in … google_ad_slot = "6102494112"; Place a few pots on your patio table for a beautiful tabletop display. The standard method for calculating the ideal depth is to dig a hole three times as deep as the bulb is high, and place the bulb at the bottom with its pointy end up. Facebook; Twitter; Instagram; Pinterest; YouTube; Search our blog. Choosing and Preparing a Planting Site Plant them about three inches deep, and six inches apart. Plants like tulips and daffodils should be planted at least 6 in (15 cm) deep. Planting your bulbs 6 weeks before their blooming time gives them enough time to grow. In the North this will be in September or October, in the South in October or November. Monty Don shows us how to plant spring bulbs such as irises and crocus in pots. To force crocus bulbs, schedule indoor planting any time between mid-September and early December. New plants can also be obtained through division. When to plant: September to November. Plant the crocus bulbs about 2-3” deep and 3” apart, placing them in the ground with their pointy ends up. I have planted 10 bulbs in a very large size pot. Crocus - Normal spring flowering crocus should be planted in autumn as bulbs (corms) but are also available at potted clumps in spring. Roots will form in the autumn. Gardeners' World — 2017, Episode 25. Plant these after flowering whilst still in leaf. Bring them back outside in February or March and watch for sprouts to appear. After a few weeks the foliage will automatically yellow and die back, and then you can remove it. Misc. Which bulbs to use To start with choose bulb varieties that flower at different times. Plant the corms with the buds facing upwards. Just be sure the bulbs have at least 2 inches of soil beneath them. Remove in spring before the bulbs poke through! You can plant the bulbs in the ground, if you have a sunny spot. Planting bulbs in containers means you know exactly where they are, you can move them wherever they need to go to chill, and you can place them on your patio, steps, porch, or wherever they’re going to cause the biggest sensation in spring. When to plant Crocus bulbs Crocus bulbs can be purchased and planted in the late summer through to late autumn for spring blooming. Flower Bulbs from our family farm in Holland. However, bulbs can be stored in the refrigerator if needed until planting. Our bulb planting time sections are divided into two lists for convenience ... but are available as pot grown flowering plants in mid to late summer. Some moisture during the summer is necessary to trigger root growth and get the bulbs going. Would it be best to place them under my potting bench or do they need light? If you plant just a few flowers, in a year or two, a small group will become a mass of crowded crocus flowers (which, fortunately, the crocus will tolerate), and they will come back year after year. Crocus bulbs can be purchased and planted in the late summer through to late autumn for spring blooming. Bulbs planted in mid-September bloom in late December. If you have containers that don't fit these sizes exactly, you can experiment with different soil depths and spacing. For a continuous display of color, force several bulbs and stagger the planting times. google_ad_width = 200; PLANTING DEPTH AND SPACING. Send me your questions! Once the container plant begins to die, leave it alone. Tip – Plant Crocus corms in drifts in … It’s adds a color spot to an area, where plants may not ordinarily grow well or if you have poor soil. You could do layered bulb planting in the border but where this is most effective is when you plant layers of different varieties of flower bulbs in pots. When your DutchGrown crocuses arrive and you can’t plant them immediately, it’s important to store them correctly: unpack them right away and put them in a dry place with plenty of air circulation, where the temperature is between 40 and 70 degrees Fahrenheit. If bulbs go short of water at this point, they might be stunted. Tulips are the main exception to this rule because they can be planted in late autumn or even early winter without adversely affecting the flowering for the following season.