Planting tulips under pansies
This week I’m preparing a pot for spring by planting tulip bulbs. In order to avoid waiting all winter for some colour, however, I am planting the bulbs under a layer of pansies, which will keep any garden bright and colourful until those tulips come through.
Background on Pansies and Tulips
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Pansies are technically a perennial, although many people treat them as annuals as they tend to decline after the first blooming season. They bloom through the winter, lending a great pop of colour to a garden while many other plants are still dormant.
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Tulips tend to bloom in the spring, meaning they will come through and revitalise your display as the pansies near the end of their season. When planting tulip bulbs, make sure to plant the bulb 2-3 times its height in depth to ensure it has enough space to establish strong roots.
Why Now?
To give your tulip bulbs time to establish strong roots and avoid planting in hard, cold ground, now is the perfect time to plant. This will offer you strong plants in the spring and minimises the chance that the plants will succumb to frost and rot.
What You’ll Need:
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Pot or planter
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A well-draining compost
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Tulip bulbs of your choice
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Pansies of your choice
Step-by-Step Instructions:
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Begin by laying a foundation of compost in your pot, giving the bulbs somewhere to establish roots.
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Arrange your bulbs in groups, leaving enough space for each bulb to grow.
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Cover the bulbs over with compost, leaving just enough room for your pansies to sit on top.
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Arrange your pansies on top.
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Top the pot off with compost, filling in any gaps around the pansies.
Aftercare:
Keep your display damp but not wet, as if the soil stands wet the plants and the bulbs can rot. Make sure the pansies are in full-sun or partial shade deadhead the flowers throughout the season to promote fresh growth.
Come spring, when your pansies are beginning to look a little sad, the tulips will spring through and breathe new life into your garden.
