As the UK sees more of the sun and more milder temperatures, our attentions turn to the garden – and to the endless jobs you need to do now
Floral blooms will be popping up in many public areas in the next few weeks, with daffodils already sprouting aplenty.
But after a wet winter, many of our gardens are bald, patchy, overgrown and unsightly – with urgent action needed now. But once the pruning, lawn mowing and general tidying has commenced, many of us will be wondering what new bulbs to plant for a thriving garden this spring and summertime.
According to the experts at HomeHow, there are four stunning flowers we should be looking at planting now – and some of them work better in hanging baskets, while others need partial shade, potted care, or planted directly outside.
Dahlias
HomeHow says: “Dahlias come in a vast array of vivid colours and types, including pompon, windmill, single-flowered, and cactus-flowered. They all come with an impressive bloom and look great in both traditional and contemporary garden schemes. Grow dahlias in full sun or partial shade, in borders or large containers.”
According to Gardeners World, they have the best chance of thriving in tubers in large pots filled with peat-free multi-purpose compost. The best time to do this is in March, with early April being the absolute latest. They should be kept on a window sill or in a frost-free greenhouse until late May, it says, when they can be transitioned to outside.
Begonias
Experts at HomeHow added: “Best grown in pots and hanging baskets, begonias are bright-flowering and produce repeat blooms throughout the summer. They need to be protected from frost, so if this March poses a risk, they may be best started in a greenhouse or conservatory. Most thrive in sun or shade, so they are excellent for providing a bright splash of colour to otherwise dull areas.”
Gardeners World said they must be watered every week and fed with a high-potash fertiliser, such as tomato feed. They produce flamboyant blooms throughout the summer but tuberous begonias should be dug and stored in cool, frost-free places in autumn in preparation for winter.
“Bring fibrous-rooted types indoors over winter, or treat as annuals and throw on the compost heap. Foliage begonias are grown as house plants but can enjoy time outdoors in summer,” it added.
Lilies
HomeHow says: “Lilies are one of the best summer bulbs to grow for fragrance and for use as cut flowers. These beautiful flowering plants come in a wide range of shapes and sizes and are suitable for gardens both large and small. They are fully hardy plants which can be planted directly outside in spring.”
Gardeners World added that they need a sheltered but sunny spot to thrive and a deep pot for anyone growing them in containers. “Plant lily bulbs from October to April,” experts said. “Stake taller varieties and protect all types from lily beetle. Allow the foliage to die down naturally after flowering.”
Peonies
HomeHow experts continued: “Peonies look beautiful in any garden with their large, intricate, and often delicately fragrant blooms. They are easy to grow and tolerate most soil types and aspects. They are also incredibly hardy and can be left in the ground during winter, so planting them this March can leave you with fresh blooms for years to come.”
Gardeners World advised peonies are planted in a “rich but well-drained soil position of full sun”. They should not be planted in waterlogged soil with the majority preferring neutral or slightly alkaline soil.