Layered Bulb Tubs

I want to make some layered bulb tubs... I have seen most instructions for 3 layer planting and generally only last until spring. I want to extend the flowering period of the layered bulb tub and want to know if I can put 4-5 layers of bulbs in a tub rather than the usual 3? I am thinking some Lilies for the Summer which should go 6"-8" deep and adding Cyclamen or Autumn Flowering Crocus to bring the flowering period forward. And then the usual Tulips, Daffodils, Iris, Crocus ect for the Spring. Does anyone think it will work? or Not?:cnfs:

 

What an interesting concept. I`ve layered SPRING bulbs but have never considered adding summer and autumn bulbs. I think it could very well work. Why not try it and keep us informed of your progress?:gnthb::gnthb:

 

Well as no one appears to have tried it before I guess I will have to be the guinea pig for this experiment! :hehe:

I will update with any progress... might take a year!:thmb:

 

Try it for yourself Cityluk, but I think you might be disappointed.
I do multi layers of bulbs to get a good show, but use all the one species - eg 3 layers of daffodils, tulips or whatever. That way I get a really thick show of flowers.
I'm trying to visualise flowers over several seasons.
I think you would get the odd straggly flower here and there,
But do try it and let us know how it goes. We could all have something to learn.

 

Well I'm going to try it using Asiatic Lilies.. Red and Yellow for the Summer show, Cyclamen hederifolium for the Autumn show... mixed Red and Yellow crocus for early spring and a mix of lily flowed and dwarf tulips for late spring... I think you maybe right though Alice as I'm a little concerned over the length of time it takes for Lily foliage to die down... my "Orange Joy" stopped flowering in early July and the foliage shows no sign of dying back yet... but hoping its gone by October as then I will know my plan will work or not!

 

Yeah, and tulip and daffodil foliage takes forever to die down, and autumn crocus does great big foliage which lasts a long time ,lily foliage is around for a while and...........
But do try it Ciryluk and let us know how it goes.

Jings, I've just noticed you are going to have red crocus in the spring display. I've never seen them but would love to have some. Where are you getting the bulbs from.

 

I got my bulbs from Wilkinsons but I probably should add they are not "true" all over red... 1 is Yellow with dark red streaks.. "crocus fuscotinctus" and the others are yellow with dark red outer petals.. "crocus zwanenburg bronze" but since you've mentioned Red Crocus an all over Red one is one I have yet to see... does one even exist? :cnfs:

 

No, I've never seen red crocus. That's why I asked.

 

I have been thinking of getting some of those pretty shallow pots for planting up my bulbs.
This year I will be buying crocus (crocii? :-) if more then one..tee..hee...) and snow drops. I want to plants drifts of snow drops. I just love them.

Does anyone know the best / cheapest place to get hyacinths. I want to get some done for Christmas and I think I need to start now.

 

Hi Shobhna, about Snowdrops.
Those little dried out bulbs they sell in packets are useless - they don't grow.
You really need to plant them "in the green" - that is, just after they have flowered and still have the green tops on them.
So you are talking about getting them next spring now.
You will find adverts on line and in the gardening magazines. They are a bit more expensive but they do grow.

 

Alice, I will wait till spring then :-) and that is most probalby why the ones I planted never came up anyway. :-)

 

Well its been nearly 3 years so I feel I need to update this thread... I went ahead with the experiment but I had to leave out the lilies as there simply wasn't enough room. In the end I planted cyclamen, 2 layers of tulips (an early pink and white variety and a later flowering red) and 2 layers of Crocus (one red with yellow veins the other yellow) the cyclamen have always done well however problems begin when the crocus start emerging they always form buds but then the tulip foliage appears it blocks out all the light... and the crocus flowers never open at this point there's also still cyclamen foliage in the container. The tulips flower but there is never a great show of flowers because the container is too crowded. So now my plan is to split all the bulbs in the container and have species only tubs... I guess you can say ity didn't work!!

 

Well at least you tried Cheryl And thanks for reporting back after 3 years ! Hope to hear more from you . I have never gone past crocus and tulip layering , I may try three this autumn planting.......................

 

I bought all my spring bulbs from 'The Clare bulb company', I'd recommend them, great service. I've had a smashing display, three layers of dwarf Daffs and tulips. I used four or five varieties to extend the growing period.

 

Nice effort Cheryl.

It`s just a pity it didn`t come right in the end. It would have been amazing I`ll bet.

No need to have species only though, unless you prefer that. I have a tub with crocus and Iris for early flowers and black tulips for a little later. The heads are only just forming on them now. (5 weeks behind like the rest of the country). The iris and crocus are done now. I thought about a few lillies too for summer but didn`t. I wish I`d put in a couple of agapanthus too.