Growing Hyacinths from Bulb Successfully

The hyacinth is one of the most distinctive of flowers grown in Britain, with its classic purple and pink blooms. There are different varieties of hyacinths you can grow, so you can select the colours and appearance you would like for your garden or, indeed, your home. They are a rewarding flower to grow and many gardeners, amateur or advanced, enjoy the hyacinth throughout the spring months.

You can often buy hyacinths in pots, ready to place in your home with little to no effort on your part. Yet growing hyacinth bulbs can be on of the greatest pleasures of having these flowers, seeing them bloom and come alive after you have looked after them from the moment they are placed in the ground. It’s not at all difficult to grow hyacinth bulbs, and you will enjoy watching them appear.

When to grow hyacinth bulbs? 

Hyacinth bulbs will naturally flower in the spring time, around March or April as it is just beginning to get warmer. However, one of the great things about hyacinths is that they can be made to flower sooner if you keep them indoors in the warm. Many people will grow hyacinths especially for Christmas.

Types of hyacinth bulb

These are the most popular types of bulb you can buy:

  • Top size hyacinths. The distinctive dark flowers of these hyacinths really make them stand out. They are large as well, with flowers reaching a size of 18-19cm.
  • Garden hyacinth. This is a cultivar of the hyacinthus orientalis, and they have much lighter, dusky pink flowers. They are often planted in borders or in pots.
  • Multiflora hyacinth. These hyacinths grow in individual stems that produce delicate bells. Unlike other kinds of hyacinth, they don’t need too much heat.

How to look after your hyacinth bulbs 

You must look after your delicate bulbs from the moment you obtain them, to make sure they remain in good condition and will grow into strong, healthy flowers for you. They are very hardy once flowered, though they may not be quite as strong when grown in containers and could potentially be damaged by frost. You should check all bulbs before planting, getting rid of any that are soft and could spread disease to other plants. Once flowering. look out for slugs and squirrels, or other animals that might dig up your hyacinths. To keep your hyacinths in good condition, remove flowers that start to grow brown. However, you can leave the leaves to die off.

A guide to growing your bulbs

Bulbs are best planted out of doors in the early autumn, though you can plant them sooner if you want to force them to flower earlier indoors. You will need to make sure they are planted around 4 inches deep in the soil.

Your hyacinths are going to grow best if they have soil that is well draining, however the main thing to bear in mind is to give them enough sunlight. They will do well in direct sunlight, so make sure they will get plenty of it throughout the day.

 

How to Tell if Bulbs are Ok to Plant

Growing your own flowers is rewarding and fun – you can enjoy them in your garden, or have cut flowers in your home all year round. When you grow plants from bulbs, you can see them through the entirety of their life cycle and ensure they grow in the way you want them to, giving them everything they need to thrive.

Planting healthy bulbs gives your plants and flowers the best possible start in life. Here are some tips for checking your bulbs are ok to plant:

  • Check the texture of the bulbs. They should be firm everywhere – any soft or mushy spots are an indication that the bulbs are rotting.
  • Smell them. There shouldn’t be any obvious smell, and if anything, they should just smell a little bit earthy.
  • Buy them from a reputable bulb supplier. Buy from a garden centre or retailer who specialises in bulbs sourced from good nurseries.

The Meaning Behind Different Flowers

All flowers carry a different significance or meaning in our society, and are associated with different things. It’s important you know this when choosing flowers for an occasion – getting it wrong could have some serious consequences. For example, you wouldn’t want to give someone funeral flowers to congratulate them on their wedding. Here are some common meanings for flowers:

  • Calla lilies are associated with beauty and magnificence. A very regal flower, they are most commonly used in funeral bouquets because they can also represent resurrection. However, they might also be used in wedding bouquets, so you can’t go too wrong with these lilies.
  • Carnations. Symbolising love, carnations can be used in all kinds of bouquets. Pink specifically symbolises the love of a moth, so they may be used as flowers for Mother’s Day.
  • Roses. One of the most common symbols of love, the red rose may be given in a bouquet or alone. People often give red roses on Valentines Day.

How Long Can you Expect a Bunch of Flowers to Last?

A bunch of flowers is a lovely gift and will look beautiful in your home. However, they will also have a limited lifespan once they have been cut, so you need to look after them as well as possible in order to make them last as long as possible. In general, you can perhaps expect a bouquet to last for around 2 weeks, though this also largely depends on the types of flowers used. A spring bouquet, for example, will not last as long as other forms of flowers as they use fresh, delicate blooms. Flowers like roses and tulips might look their best for up to a week, and other flowers like freesias may last for longer.

If you are going to have a bunch of flowers for as long as possible, you can also help by looking after them. Change the water regularly so it doesn’t become cloudy, and use plant food to help your flowers thrive.

 

Some Popular Autumn Flowering Bulbs for your Garden

The autumn and winter months in the UK can still give you lots of options as a lover of plants and flowers. There are many autumn flowering bulbs you can plant that will give your garden plenty of colour, keeping it just as vibrant as it is during spring and summer. Many of these flowers can be naturalised, so they will return year after year and bring colour to your garden once more.

When should you plant autumn flowering bulbs? 

You should usually plant autumn flowering bulbs in the late summer, though it will differ for each type of bulb. See the instructions on the bulb you are going to grow before you buy it and plant it. You need to pick the correct time of year so that the soil is the right temperature and you avoid issues such as frost.

A guide to some popular autumn flowering bulbs 

These are some of the autumn bulbs you might like to plant in your garden:

Colchicum 

You might also know the colchicum as a ‘naked lady’, because it flowers in the autumn, by which point it has lost all its leaves. You should plant these bulbs around 3 inches deep in the soil, and make sure they are 6 inches apart to give them room. The soil should, if possible, be moist and able to keep hold of the moisture. You should plant them in July or August.

Crocus 

The crocus will flower best when left undisturbed, and will produce small, delicate flowers. These flowers are very much associated with autumn and are very popular to grow. You should plant crocuses in the late summer, before the weather starts to get colder. They will grow well without too much fuss and are one of the easiest flowers to grow.

Hardy cyclamen 

You can plant these bulbs in late summer or early autumn, ready for them to flower in the autumn. They won’t require much more than some good, loose soil, though you might want to dig some mulch into it before planting. They will rot if the soil is too damp, so be careful not to over-water them. Once they begin to grow successfully, you can leave them be, as they will generally do very well on their own and grow very big.

Nerine 

The nerine will brighten up your garden in autumn with its beautiful flowers. Also known as a Guernsey lily, the nerine will need to be planted somewhere dry and sunny. They won’t deal well with being moved once they have been planted, so try to leave them be during the spring and summer. If you look after them well, they can continue to flower into the winter and grow much bigger over time.

 

These are just some of the most popular bulbs you can buy – there are plenty more autumn flowering bulbs you can choose. Pick something that will work in your garden and create a variety of shapes and colours, to keep your garden interesting all year round.

Meghan Markle’s Wedding Bouquet

Yesterday marked the wedding of the year – the royal wedding. It was the day where Prince Harry married American actress Meghan Markle, and the flowers she chose were simply stunning.

Meghan opted for a white bouquet, featuring flowers including sweet peas, lily of the valley, astilbe, jasmine and astrantia. It is also said that Harry played a part in choosing the flowers for the bouquet.

The bouquet also featured the traditional sprig of myrtle, which is a tradition that came from Queen Victoria. She included myrtle from one of her own bushes in the bouquet, and ever since, royal brides have followed this tradition.

The bouquet also included forget me nots, which were the favourite flower of Princess Diana. The couple specifically chose these flowers so that she was acknowledged at the wedding ceremony, and many people noticed the similarities between the bouquets chosen by Meghan Markle and Pricness Diana.

Learning how to Become a Florist

Floristry is a specialist field, and one that often proves very popular, making it highly competitive to run a successful florists’ shop. If you are interested in plants, flowers and gardening, and have considered going into business as a florist, you will need to make sure you are cut out for the industry and go into it armed with the correct knowledge.

Whilst you might not necessarily need a particular qualification, you will generally need to take some kind of floristry course, unless you have worked in the industry before and have lots of existing knowledge. You can find a course at a local college, and you might even be able to take parts of it online.

The main thing you will need is passion and commitment. It isn’t easy to make it work as a florist, so once you know how to arrange flowers, the main thing that will keep your business going is a love for what you do.

Buying Gladioli Bulbs – Quality Flowers for Springtime Planting

Gladioli are colourful flowers with an unusual shape that will add character to a garden. They are enjoyed by seasoned gardeners and beginners because they aren’t too fussy about soil – they will grow well in any kind of good soil, for the most part. Many gardeners choose to plant gladioli bulbs, seeing the flowers through until the bloom. Why not join the other gardeners who love gladioli and plant your own bulbs this spring?

Why choose gladioli? 

Gladioli help create a tropical look in your garden, with their flower spikes that stand out from the crowd. They are versatile, pretty flowers that are traditional, yet can adapt well to a modern garden or space. With all of their colour, they make a really interesting feature within any garden.

Types of gladiolus 

Gladioli come in different varieties and these are some of the most popular that you can choose and buy easily:

  • Butterfly gladioli
  • Medium flowering gladioli
  • Dwarf gladiolus

All varieties have their own distinguished and unique look that you can enjoy. You can have lots of fun planting gladioli bulbs, because of their tall, colourful appearance. Many gardeners choose to plant them in long lines – you can walk between them and they will form a kind of walkway. This can also make it easier to look after the flowers, because it will be easy to cut them back and keep them in a manageable shape. However, you can also use them as statement pieces in your garden. Plant them alongside other plants and flowers, especially shorter ones, because the gladioli will reach above them, stand out and create an area of interest.

How to plant and grow gladioli bulbs 

Here is a guide to planting and caring for your gladioli bulbs:

  1. You should plant gladioli bulbs between March and June, when the weather and soil have started to warm up. You should be confident that you are planting after the last frost has passed.
  2. Plant the bulbs around 4 inches deep in the soil and plant around 3-6 inches apart, depending on the look you would like to achieve.
  3. Choose a spot that gets lots of sun, with well drained soil. You should also plant them with a good layer of compost.
  4. It will take gladioli around 90 days to take root, grow and bloom.
  5. Keep the soil around a gladiolus moist. If there isn’t a lot of rainfall, water the soil throughout the summer months. You might want to use a mulch to help keep the soil moist.
  6. Deadhead the flowers once they die off to help encourage growth. They should continue to grow back each year if they are happy in the spot you have chosen.

The other main factor is the quality of the bulbs you plant. Make sure they are not mouldy or rotting and that they look healthy when you receive them. You can buy bulbs online or in garden centres – check the supplier or retailer to see how many products they offer and how well regarded they are.

 

Flowers for a Wildflower Bouquet

Wildflower bouquets are some of the most fashionable types of bouquet at the present moment. They can be made up of many different types of flowers that will go with the wildflower theme. People are choosing them to send as gifts, as well as to have for their weddings. They might even wear them in their hair as well as an extra touch.

These are some of the most popular types of flower to have in a wildflower bouquet:

  • Lavender. This is a delicate and pretty choice that will also smell beautiful.
  • Roses. Choose light, pastel coloured roses for a pretty touch.
  • Daisies. These will add a real touch of nature to your bouquet.
  • Poppies. Choose different colours for different looks and bouquets.
  • Sunflowers. Add an impressive touch to a bouquet with a sunflower.

Don’t overcrowd your bouquet – a bohemian themed bouquet should be light, relaxed and pretty. A heavy bouquet will detract from your theme.

How to Grow Magnolias in the UK

Magnolias are large, pale coloured flowers that add decoration and a lovely scent to a garden or courtyard area. They are simple enough to grow and there are many different varieties to choose from. Here is a guide to growing your magnolias successfully:

  • The soil should, if possible, be slightly acidic. The main thing to ensure is that the magnolias are planted in well draining soil. If you don’t have these conditions, use some peat moss and compost to help.
  • Magnolias are quite versatile and can grow in sun, or in a place that has some shade.
  • Water your magnolias often at first. Over time, you will not need to water them as often as they become more resilient.
  • Give them enough space. A magnolia tree is really quite large. Magnolias are small when planted but they will fill the space they are given, so don’t keep them too cramped.
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