Planting tulip bulbs in pots — the lasagne method
A pot of tulips by the front door is the easiest spring joy you can plant. With the lasagne method one pot flowers for weeks.
Choose the pot and soil
Use a pot at least 25-30 cm across with good drainage holes — winter rain must escape or the bulbs rot. Add a layer of crocks or clay pebbles at the bottom and use ordinary potting compost, ideally mixed with a little grit. Frost-proof pots are a must in Nordic winters.
The lasagne method: bulbs in layers
Plant in two or three layers: the latest-flowering, largest bulbs deepest (12-15 cm), a middle layer, and the earliest on top (8-10 cm). Bulbs can sit close — 3-5 cm apart — as long as they don't touch. Shoots find their way around the layer above. The result: one pot flowering from April to late May.
Best varieties for pots
Pick compact varieties with sturdy, wind-proof stems: 'Prinses Irene' (35 cm, scented), 'Purissima' (40 cm, huge white blooms), 'Apricot Beauty' (40 cm, fragrant) and double 'Angélique' (45 cm). Look for the “Perfect for pots” tag in the shop.
Winter and spring
Stand the pot in shelter against a wall, raised on feet so water drains. In hard frost spells wrap the pot in hessian or bubble wrap — the bulbs handle frost, but the root ball shouldn't freeze solid for long periods. Water lightly in dry spells from March, then enjoy the show.