Container Tulips for Highly Distracted Gardeners
This is my annual post about planting tulips in containers, but with a twist. If you’re tired of reading about growing tulips in containers, I won’t hold it against you. If not, read on.
Over the last few years I have become a container tulip enthusiast.
I love hybrid tulips with bright luscious flowers, but I prefer to plant smaller bulbs (including species tulips) in beds and borders. Larger bulbs can be a nuisance, especially those hybrid tulips that bloom well only for a year or two (experience varies widely on this point, depending on both climate and tulip variety). Broad tulip leaves can get in the way of emerging perennials.
When tulips are done blooming in a container, just pull the foliage and plant the container with summer annuals. The spent bulbs usually go on the compost, though sometimes I will plant them in a new bed.
Another advantage of container tulips: they can be moved to wherever you think they will have the greatest impact. I like to line them up on the walk to our front door. Also, you can pack them densely to maximize the impact even more.
To plant containers with tulips, I pour the old potting mix into a bucket, where it gets refreshed with a couple of handfuls of compost or rotted manure. I then return a few inches of mix to the bottom of the container.
The bulbs go on top of the potting mix, leaving just 1-2″ between them. The top of the bulbs should be at least six inches from the top of the container, but deeper is better.
In my opinion, it’s best to use just one variety of tulip for each container. This gives you the greatest visual impact and simplifies the transition to summer annuals when the tulips are done. I try to have a mix of early, mid-season, and late varieties.
Once the bulbs are planted, fill the rest of the container with the remaining potting mix, firming it down when done. I throw on some fresh mix if the level of the potting soil is much more than an inch from the top.
The next big issue is how to store the containers. Here in zone 5, I either bury the containers to the rim or place them in our unheated garage. I have had good results with both approaches. In zone 6 or 7, I think it is possible to leave the containers in a protected area outside.
However, don’t forget the squirrels and other varmints who love to eat tulip bulbs. My anti-varmint defense system consists of chicken wire weighed down with pavers. I also added some tin chickens to provide extra protection.
But here’s where the distracted part comes in. I was in such a rush to plant that I’m almost positive I filled one container with potting mix but no bulbs. I didn’t realize this until after all the containers were buried.
I ordered 160 bulbs, and based on how I thought I was planting them they should be divided among nine containers. However, when I finished there were somehow ten containers buried in the herb/cutting bed. Unless something really spooky is going on, the tenth one did not bury itself.
Even so, I’m not going to dig them up one by one in order to make sure. If I did, I fear the neighbors might start to wonder exactly what or who I was burying in our garden.
And another thing: I had twelve containers full of tulips this past spring, but next year I will have only nine (or ten) because I was cramming in more bulbs per pot.
This does not seem right (having fewer pots of tulips, that is), so I ordered another 40 bulbs from John Scheeper’s. However, in order to have the minimum size order for shipping I had to add another 20, which means a total of 220 tulip bulbs. But it seems to me I had absolutely no choice in the matter.
The extras I ordered were our three most favorite varieties: ‘Ballerina’, ‘Princess Irene’, and ‘Couleur Cardinal’. They will go in another three containers to be stored in the garage.
So I cannot stress this point strongly enough concerning tulips in containers: do not plant them while highly distracted. And watch out for pots that bury themselves.
gardeninacity 
Such a funny post! Your selection of tulips looks fabulous. I will be planting mine next week and cover with chicken wire also. Those darn squirrels….
Right, I know all animals are supposed to be part of the web of life and all that, but would we really be worse off without squirrels?
Well… I’m feeling better about myself already! I get in a terrible muddle planting tulips at the right time, lifting them, storing them, and then starting again the following year. I can see that focus and pots are the answer!
I can probably help out anyone who is feeling discouraged for not being organized enough in the garden.
Spooky indeed, but then it IS almost Halloween! I am trying a few tulips in pots for next year… digging those deep holes is way too much like hard work in our soil though, so I will put them in the garage. Nice post Jason!
Thanks! Say, that gives me an idea for a halloween costume – potted tulips!
Now that would be a photo I really want to see Jason! 😉
I’m probably going to try planting some tulips in pots this winter. I’ve never done it before. I’m in zone 7b, so I think they’ll be ok if I leave them outside. I worry they’ll get soaked from our winter rain, though, and turn to mush. Well, I’ll never know if I don’t give it a shot.
That’s a really important point – the container needs good drainage.
A great post with good tulip tips, including the one about thinking up a good justification for buying even more bulbs. I realise now I haven’ t ordered nearly enough. That minimum order thing is handy. Obviously I’ m going to need a lot more.I never bury the pots though. Too much like hard work.
Of course you haven’t ordered nearly enough! Burying the pots is a bit of work, but I have limited space in my garage.
I had my first laugh of the day reading this. This is certainly a distracted thing to do, planting a pot without bulbs. Just thinking about the neighbors wondering what you are planting in the garden again and again…I will giggle a time or two about that too. You will have to have Judy go outside a few times to make sure the neighbors know she is ok. 😉
Actually, I’m out of town. So the neighbors are really going to be wondering.
Even funnier then! 🙂
As soon as she gets back into town! In the meantime they’ll just have to wonder.
You are usually guaranteed to provide laughter in you posts, which is most welcome! This was such a thorough primer on container planting that I will have to return to growing tulips again — next year.
One thing I did forget to mention is how important it is to make sure the pot has good drainage.
‘Princess Irene’ is my absolute favourite – it looks as though the colours are painted on. But I also love most other tulips in the ground, in pots, as cut flowers… You can never have too many. I love your squirrel defences! I never bury my pots but I do have two cats and a dog who like to chase squirrels.
We could use a dog, I suppose, but they’re so much work. Tin chickens are easier. ‘Irene’ is a real stunner!
I’ve always been a little distracted…glad I’m not the only one. 🙂 I know your front steps will be beautiful next spring.
That’s what I’m hoping for!
This made me laugh, Jason:) I’m glad to know I’m not the only one who gets distracted. I suppose you’ll know for sure next spring if you have one pot that never blooms. Perfect timing for this post–I usually plant all my tulips in the ground, but the last two years I’ve tried one container. The first year I discovered–too late–the pot didn’t have a proper drainage hole, and the tulips all drowned. Last year, I don’t know what happened, but I suspect the pot got too cold because I never got around to insulating it. I remembered your posts from the spring about burying your pots, which sounded like the perfect solution. Sophie has already kindly dug a big hole in my vegetable garden for me, so I think I’ll try one pot and see how it turns out. Plus, I ordered way too many tulips, too:)
See, even your Sophie loves tulips in containers!
You have given me new inspiration. I’m back to my Scheepers catalog. Thanks.
Always a good place to go!
I love your orange selection. I’ve bought Princess Irene for the first time since seeing your parade of pots in the spring. I’m not to proud to copy!
Great! I’ve always wanted to be a trend setter.
Wow –literally burying the pots! That is too much work for me. However, we have a new, well-insulated, garage. And I have a handful of tulip bulbs left that aren’t in the ground yet, so I think I’m going to try the pot thing. Thanks for the primer!
If you’re keeping them in the garage you should water the pots when you first plant the bulbs, then keep an eye on them to make sure they don’t get too dry. You shouldn’t need to water more than a couple of times.
I love how your pots of tulips look on your front walk. I’ve thought it was a great idea since the first time you did it!
Thanks!
Personally, I think you should train ALL your pots to bury themselves. A definite time saving factor. You always leave me smiling 🙂 I’m doing some pots layered w/tulips, daffs, & crocuses this fall. Fingers crossed.
You may be on to something – a line of self-burying pots. I can see it has definite commercial possibilities. Good luck with your pots. The layering is a good idea.
You are so funny. 🙂 I am trying tulips in pots again but this time I have a better strategy so I can avoid the Great Tulip Slaughter of 2015. My free tulip order from the Fling will be here soon and I have a big plan….
You got a free tulip order from the Fling? Did I miss something?
I’m going to enjoy your tulips so I’ll be checking in next spring to see how you did. 🙂 I already know you you’ll do – beautifully.
Thanks, as soon as I plant the tulips I start looking forward to spring.
This had me laughing away!!! Yes, I doubt I’d dig them all up again. Hopefully they will all produce beautiful tulips!xxx
That’s what I’m hoping!
Hi Jason, this post had me chuckling; the case of the self-burying pot and they way you were forced into buying more are bulbs – simply shocking. I’ve decided that after all the border work this season, I won’t be doing a mega-spring-bulb-planting session and so I particularly looked forward to your annual “tulip planting” post.
I think you have earned a respite from any major bulb-planting projects.
I think I could do this actually. I am trying to put another cutting bed together and use it for tulips in the spring….you remind me to cover it with chicken wire….that is next year. But I could plant some in tulips in containers and bury them in raised beds. This year I am overwintering containers of perennials and small bushes for next year’s garden, but I will try some containers next year.
I think it would definitely be easier to bury the containers in raised beds.
Too funny! I can’t wait to see you what come up in the spring. One of the days I might try this. Our garage is heated, do you think the garden shed would work, or too cold?
I would be a little hesitant. Is it adjoining the house?
Pingback: Garden Clubs | NewEnglandGardenAndThread
One of these years, I’m going to try this — so I’m happy for the tutorial with the buried pots methods (since I don’t have a garage).
Just remember to make sure there is decent drainage.