by Liz Mobbs
thesouthwoldflowercompany.co.uk
I hope you’re enjoying this wonderful time of year as spring starts to awaken, bringing longer days, warmer weather, and fresh new growth. The garden is beginning to show signs of life, and there are plenty of ways to bring that seasonal beauty indoors by getting creative with flowers, bulbs, moss, and twigs.
Tulips are everywhere at the moment—you’ll find them at florists, supermarkets, and markets. While supermarkets may offer cheaper options, the quality often reflects the price. Supermarket tulips are usually older, with smaller heads and weaker stems because they are force-grown for mass production. For the best quality, I recommend buying from a florist or market vendor who sources tulips from local British growers. These tulips have larger, stronger heads and come in a stunning variety of colours, from fringed and double blooms to classic single varieties.
In this arrangement, I’m using tulips from our favourite Lincolnshire family growers—Smith & Munson. Their tulips are exceptional, with a fantastic selection of varieties and colours. Even when fully bloomed, their petals change colour and open up like lilies, providing at least two weeks of joy—sometimes even longer if kept in a cool environment, out of direct sunlight.
Instead of simply placing tulips in a vase, why not create a more dynamic arrangement by combining them with other seasonal bulbs like narcissus, muscari, or hyacinths? As the tulips fade, the bulbs will continue to bloom, extending the life of your display.
Here’s how to do it:
WHAT YOU NEED:
• A planter, basket, or pot you already have
• A pack of 10 tulips
• Twigs for support
• A selection of moss
• 3 pots of bulbs (in the green), split up
• Agra wool
• Soil
• Grit for water drainage
INSTRUCTIONS:
Add a handful of grit to the base of your container to help with drainage.
Place a wet block of Agra wool in the middle, with soil around it (see Tip 1!).
Trim about 8 cm off the tulip stems and remove excess leaves (see Tip 2!).
Gently insert the tulips into the wet Agra wool, arranging them as you like.
Split the bulbs and plant them around the edges, then add a little water.
Cover the surface with moss for a natural, lush finish. Add foraged twigs from your garden to support the flowers. Water gently every five days.
TIPS:
Tip 1: Agra wool is an eco-friendly alternative to traditional floral foam. However, when wet, it can be tricky to insert stems. To avoid this, quickly dunk it in water for just two seconds—it will hold moisture for weeks!
Tip 2: Tulips continue growing after being cut, whether in a vase or Agra wool. Cutting the stems shorter may seem drastic, but it helps them remain upright and well-supported.
WHAT TO DO IN THE GREENHOUSE:
Now is the perfect time to start sowing your annual cut flower seeds. If you don’t have a greenhouse, a sunny windowsill will work just fine. For a steady supply of blooms through August, sow a batch this month, then repeat in March and April for successional planting.
Easy annuals to sow now:
• Larkspur • Cosmos
• Ammi • Nigella
• Zinnia