Garden Studios

When you can’t rely upon the elements, give summer-flowering bulbs a head start by planting them now, in pots on windowsills indoors. Otherwise, plant hardy summer bulbs – similar to lilies – outdoors from now onwards, once the elements permits. Then follow on with tender species towards the top of April, in patio containers or open ground. 

Lilies

Lilies have to be planted once possible when you buy them – they’re hardy and on sale now in garden centres. Don’t attempt to keep them, because the bulbs can die if allowed to dehydrate. Lilies are heavy feeders, so plant them in rich, fertile garden soil. Choose a situation where the bulbs shall be kept cool and shaded by a ground covering of short perennials in summer, however the flowers can grow up into sunlight. Plant the bulbs deeply – most species have to be buried at thrice their very own depth (though the Madonna lily needs shallow planting, so the guidelines just show above the soil). Plant in groups of 3 or five, and support tall varieties as their stems elongate. 

For containers, choose compact varieties. Plant three bulbs half-way up large pots full of John Innes No 3 potting compost, and apply liquid tomato feed every few weeks once the flower buds appear. Plant several containers with different species for a continual show of flowers during the summer.

Dahlias

Plant dormant tubers now – preferably in 5in pots packed with multipurpose compost – and begin growing them on warm windowsills indoors. Plant them outdoors in late May, after the frosts are over, for an early begin to flowering. For containers, choose compact varieties sold as patio dahlias and begin them inside the same way, but transfer the young plants to very large patio tubs crammed with John Innes No 3 in late May. Liquid-feed generously with tomato feed from June until late August. 

Cannas

Encourage potted tubers into growth in a heated or frost-free greenhouse or conservatory now. 

Water them very lightly, until new shoots are growing. Plant them outside in an extremely sunny, sheltered portion of the garden in early June. Cannas grow very tall – 6ft-plus – and are tropical-looking. They’re able to even be grown in large tubs at the patio, but for the reason that roots are restricted, this tends to cramp their style.

Eucomis (pineapple flower)

A short plant, growing to around 18in, this has greeny flowers forming a head the form and size of a pineapple. Plant one bulb per 6in pot crammed with a half-and-half mix of John Innes No 3 and peat-free multipurpose compost. Stand on a windowsill indoors and water sparingly. These are best grown as a pot plant within the conservatory, or stood at the patio from early June onwards. They could even be planted as a centrepiece to a patio tub packed with low summer bedding in a warm, sheltered spot. 

Tigridia (peacock flower)

This bulb produces showy, exotic-looking blooms with a wierd triangular shape in bright colours.  Plant them now in an extremely warm, sunny spot, in a 6in pot jam-packed with a half-and-half mix of John Innes No 3 and peat-free multipurpose compost, planting 3in deep. They are going to make small, slow-growing plants, but will grow to 18in high, flowering within the late summer and early autumn. Provide some twiggy sticks to support the stems.

Rhodohypoxis

These little charmers grow 3 to 4in high with red, pink or white star-shaped flowers. They generally tend to bloom between late June and September. Plant one bulb per 3in pot around now, in well-drained compost (equal parts of John Innes No 2 multipurpose compost and gritty sand). Keep the pot on a windowsill indoors and water it very sparingly, even if flowering starts. After the last frost in late May, plant out in groups right into a raised bed or Alpine sink, or use several plants to fill a bathtub.

Zantedeschia (calla lilies)

These are colourful non-hardy “arum lilies”. Plant one tuber per 5in pot full of a half-and- half mix of John Innes No 3 and peat-free multipurpose compost. Start them off on a windowsill indoors or within the conservatory from late April. Water them very sparingly until the leaves are growing strongly. Avoid over-watering even then, because the plant is at risk of rot. Stand out at the patio from early June or, if the summer is poor, keep them within the conservatory. Use liquid tomato feed every two weeks while flowering. 

What to do within the garden this week

Start weeding, tidying and mulching borders. Go carefully round clumps of bulbs and emerging “noses” of early perennial plants and don’t bury plant labels.

If the lawn is dry enough, give the grass its first cut with the blades manage high to deal with the additional length.

Rake out patches of moss from lawns to permit new grass to grow. If you’re left with bald patches, scratch the soil surface loose with a small hand-fork and scatter grass seed. Don’t feed lawns yet; it’s too early and may encourage soft, lush growth that’s harmed by cold and frost.