Bulbs are easy to grow -

even in Queensland!

Gardeners in warm climates are often afraid to try growing bulbs. They know that most bulbs come originally from cool areas, and so they think that bulbs are not for them.

But even with the really cold climate bulbs - like tulips, hyacinths and daffodils - it’s easy to fool your bulbs into thinking that they’ve been through a really cold winter. Just pop them into the fridge for six to eight weeks, then plant them out into the garden or, better still, into pots.

Choosing the right variety will also help to ensure success. For example, Yates bulb range includes two specially-bred, heat-tolerant groups of tulips: Bokassa and Monet. Bokassa tulips flower early in the season so they miss the worst of the spring heat. Monets are big and bold and seem able to stand up to the toughest conditions.

But if you don’t want to go to the trouble of refrigerating before planting, then select those bulbs that originated in warmer climates. For example, many of the South African bulbs will do really well in warm area

Here are some great suggestions for bulbs that will grow easily, even in the subtropics:

Babiana Spring Glow has attractive flowers in shades of purple and lilac. Babianas will grow in light shade and are wonderful under trees. Lift the corms every three years and move some of the excess to other parts of the garden.

Freesias are part of many childhood memories. They grow so easily that they need almost no care at all. Those creamy-white, fragrant favourites are available in Yates bulb range under the name “Granny’s”. Larger-flowered Bergunden freesias have that same lovely perfume but come in a striking range of colours.

Sparaxis and Ixias are as hardy as they come. Their bright colours fit really well into a tropical scene.

Still hankering for daffodils? You can get the same effect by growing jonquils, and with much less trouble. Jonquil Soleil D’Or blooms in a cheerful yellow. Each stem is topped by a cluster of little golden flowers that are like miniature daffodils but with a darker trumpet. Paperwhites have pure white blooms that, as you’d guess from their name, might easily have been cut out of paper. Jonquil Erlicheer has double, creamy-white flowers that are also appropriately named, because they’re both early and cheerful.

Come to the nursery and see our bulb display, where you’ll find that growing bulbs is a gardening activity that Queenslanders too can enjoy.

Bulb Tips

Buying

• Select your bulbs early in the season so you can choose from the full range.
• Choose big, fat bulbs that are firm when squeezed.
• Bulbs with off-shoots or sidebulbs, give two for the price of one.
• Avoid bulbs with pieces missing or those that have been cut during harvesting.
• Avoid bulbs which are soft or brown – these are all signs of fungal disease.
• Make sure you buy enough of the same variety to make an impact, remembering that bulbs look best planted fairly close together.
• Aim to add more varieties each year.

Bulb Tips

Planting

• In most cases, pointy side up is the way to plant bulbs. There is one major exception – ranunculus are planted with claws facing down.
• For guaranteed good results, use a bulb fertiliser and bulb growing mix that is specially formulated to give optimum growth and flowering when planting in pots and gardens. Yates’ products are an excellent choice.
• Bulbs in containers can be planted closer together than those in open garden areas.
• After planting in a container, leave Hyacinth bulbs in a dark place and keep moist. Once the flower spike starts to form, but before the flower matures, move the container to a sunny position.
• Create impact by clumping bulbs in groups, using groups of at least five bulbs for larger growers, but at least 10 bulbs to form clusters of miniatures.
• For guidelines on planting distances and depth for bulbs, ask for the Bulbs Fact Sheet at your Hawkins Home & Garden Centres.
• Tools like bulb planters and trowels are helpful and are available from Hawkins Home & Garden Centres.
• Bulbs are versatile and look great arranged either formally or naturally. A natural look can be achieved by tossing them and planting them where they land.

Bulb Tips

When the show is over

• When bulbs have finished flowering, leave them alone until the top growth has all but disappeared. Do not be tempted to ‘tidy them up’ by removing spent foliage or flowers. At this stage, they are at work storing nutrients for the following year’s growth and flowers.
• Bulbs can be left in the ground for many years and need only be lifted when clumps become very crowded.
• At the end of their season, bulbs that have been lifted can be stored, under a covering of Peat Moss, in shallow containers that are kept cool and dry.