Gardening has always amazed me. And one of the most interesting aspects of gardening is you can usually find a form of gardening that you relate to and excel at. Overall I enjoy all types of gardening and do well at most… except for bulb gardens! And I just love all flowering bulbs but my flowers were almost non-existent. So I have switched to container grown bulb gardens and arrangements and I am able to grow these wonderful flowers. 
photo credit: bestfor
I started growing bulbs in containers to protect them from squirrels and realized I was having more success with bulbs. Container grown bulb gardens are a perfect solution for people with animals that chew on bulbs, small space gardening or those that are bulb challenged like I am.
There are many positive reasons for growing your bulbs in containers.
- You have more flexibility in choosing locations for your bulb plants and can move their locations for change in your garden.
- You can bring in bulb containers when the weather is too cold or wet. You can also bring them in just to enjoy fresh color and fragrance in your home.
- You can change the displays or themes according to the seasons or how your bulb plants are doing. By adding an annual plant or a piece of garden art you can hide a flowering bulb that is starting to wind down in its growing season but still has a few beautiful flowers.
Growing bulbs in containers.
There are some bulbs that actually grow better in containers. They get extra care when grown this way and have more protection from animals and climate. And one other benefit to planting container-grown bulbs is that if you take care of them properly they can stay in the same container for years. You just need to clean the container, add fresh dirt when needed and divide them when necessary. I have grown Iris in containers for years and they are stunning.
Start by select a container for your bulbs that will drain well and are large enough for bulbs. You will need to be able to cover the bulbs with two to three inches of soil and still have room in the container for pebbles or mulch and for watering the plants without water running out of the container.
Container-grown bulb gardens usually require more water and fertilizer than those in the ground. This is a common container concern and can be worked with. Pebbles and mulch will help you containers to hold moisture and a larger diameter pot will not dry out as fast. You can also add the water retaining material available at garden centers to your soil.
photo credit: guybo
One other concern with a container grown bulb gardens is too much water. If the soil is too wet your bulbs will rot. Bring them onto the patio, porch or indoors if you get a rainy period with cooler temperatures. Also set the containers on pebbles to help them drain better.
For fun and variety try growing your bulbs in hanging baskets. Again you will have to keep an eye on the bulbs drying out but bulbs in hanging baskets can be striking, particularly if you add a hanging ivy plant to the design.
A container grown bulb garden will add color and interest to you patios, balconies, garden areas and backyard oasis. With all the different bulb varieties available you can make container bulb gardens for the entire growing season and beyond. Check out Helpful Container Bulb tips
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