I'm so inspired to try a lasagne planted pot for next Spring after seeing these stunning tulip displays at RHS Harlow Carr yesterday.

Wow they are inspiring! I never hear of lasagna planting in a pot.

It's basically taking say 3 or 4 lots of bulbs and starting with planting the first layer about 12 inches down (tulips will have no problem with this), then cover those with 2-3 inches of compost or so, add another layer and continue until you've covered the topmost layer. That way you get more bang for your buck!

Here Crocus Jeanne D'Arc takes centre stage.



The tulips take over.



Then the peak display. Tulips are Labrador, Mascotte and Honeymoon.

Thank you for the information Sue, it is very interesting. I will keep it in mind to try, just not sure if I planted it in fall it would survive our cold winter in a pot. Thinking perhaps setting it in our attached garage over winter might just work. Would be lovely to display outdoors in spring. I know about planting bulbs in different layers in the ground.

Yes I see you're in a cold area. I used to live in Maine so I know all about that! I doubt a pot would make it as you say, but you could try overwintering indoors in the garage.
I'm definitely going to try this, will have fun picking the bulbs

I have a container I did that with last two years ago. I planted the smaller type of lily, then more soil and two types of sedum. After seeing what you posted Sue I think I will add Iris reticulata and some specie tulips.
Thank you so much for the idea on adding more to the container.

Yes Lynn it's certainly an idea you could take beyond Spring bulbs. I only have a tiny patio garden made up of pots, which is why I like to visit gardens to see the larger scale plantings - but this is a great way to make a small area very productive which is the essence of container planting.

Here's another example from Harlow Carr, Chionodoxas followed by a pink themed tulip display.

That is lovely.

Sue, Do I understand that crocuses are on the bottom layer and tulips go closer to the top?
I have Lasagned a garden here but never thought of pots.
The front of our house has no color until late May when I plant annuals.
This is definitely going to be my next phase for gardening .


I just watched several You-tube videos on this. I'm gunna do-it.

No I think the crocuses would be planted fairly near the top as they're quite small bulbs. Tulips can cope well with being potted 12 inches or more down. The tulips will grow up through the crocuses or chionodoxia. There were so many fantastic displays at Harlow Carr, mainly with the tulips because of the time of year but the possibilites are endless.

Look at this group of Tulip Exotic Emperor with Anemone Mount Everest. The poeticus narcissi and white muscari came before.

I am sooooo completely jazzed about this.
I am looking at tulips now.
Do you think early blooming varieties would enable me to put annuals in when it's time.
I wonder how easy it is to plant annuals near the end of tulip bloom.
There are many you-tube videos on the subject but I didnt see any followup with annual planting.
I hate to designate containers for bulbs only.

Yes I think a lot of council planted public parks bedding schemes over here involve plants like wallflowers and tulips which are often ripped out in early June to make way for summer bedding.

I'd be OK with doing the same. My planting space is so limited. I couldn't afford to have a large pot take up space throughout the summer with Spring stuff. Harsh but there it is. I wonder what Harlow Carr do with their used bulbs?

Sometimes we have to consider everything an annual.
I was picturing how awful the tulips get as they expire. Couldnt imagine them with annuals in between.
I wouldnt be surprised if Harlow didnt toss the tulips, after all they must have an endowment that provides for that sort of thing.
I have plenty of room but dont want the expense of containers just for spring bulbs.
These planters are at the front door patio. They are a fiber of some sort so can withstand the winter.


This is a new area .

A long time ago I found this same idea for planting in a garden area in one of the Mrs. Greenthumbs books. I believe she referred to it as 'packing' the garden. I know it works very well in a garden so it should work beautifully in a pot too.

freezengirl,
I am going to try it.Sounds neat.