How To Plant Summer Flowering Bulbs for the Best Container Displays

If you're looking to add some colour and life to your outdoor space this summer, planting flowering bulbs in handmade terracotta pots is a great way to achieve a stunning display. With the right techniques, your container garden can flourish with vibrant blooms all season long.

Step 1: Choose the right bulbs

Selecting the right bulbs is the first step in creating a beautiful container garden. Summer flowering bulbs like dahlias, lilies, gladiolus, and begonias are excellent choices for pots. Make sure to choose healthy, plump bulbs without any signs of damage or disease. It's worth noting when they need to be planted, too. Dahlias need to be planted later when the risk of frost has passed, but lilies and gladioli can be planted in spring, as long as they're kept protected against frost. Begonias should ideally be planted indoors if planting in spring, before being moved outdoors when the risk of frost has passed. 

Step 2: Choose the right pot

Handmade terracotta pots are perfect for summer flowering bulbs, as they allow for proper drainage and air circulation. Make sure the pot you choose is the right size for the bulbs you've selected, and for the kind of display you're looking to create. Large terracotta pots filled with one kind of bulb makes for a striking summer garden feature! 

Step 3: Prepare the pot

Before planting your bulbs, you'll need to prepare the pot. Fill the pot with a good quality potting soil, leaving about two inches of space at the top. You can also add a layer of gravel or small stones to the bottom of the pot to aid in drainage. If you're using terracotta, you might be interested in learning more about preparing teracotta plants for planting.

Step 4: Plant the bulbs

Plant the bulbs in the pot according to their planting depth requirements. Generally, bulbs should be planted at a depth that is two to three times their height. Place the bulb in the soil with the pointed end facing up and the root end facing down.

Step 5: Water and fertilise

After planting the bulbs, water the soil thoroughly to settle it around the bulbs. Make sure to keep the soil moist but not waterlogged. You can also fertilize your bulbs with a slow-release fertilizer to help promote healthy growth.

Step 6: Place the pot in the right location

Finally, place your pot in a location where it will receive plenty of sunlight. Most summer flowering bulbs require full sun to thrive. Make sure to also protect the pot from strong winds, as this can damage plants when fully grown.

With these simple steps, you can create a beautiful container garden full of vibrant summer blooms. Handcrafted terracotta pots add a touch of rustic charm to your outdoor space, while the bulbs provide bursts of color and fragrance. With a little care and attention, your container garden can bring you colourful summer joy for weeks on end.

How can we help?

If you’d like further maintenance guidance, or advice on finding the perfect pot for your summer displays—please don’t hesitate to get in touch.