multi-use potted bulbs/annuals

by Jan
(Vancouver, WA)

I have horrible soil so I use potted plants on my many decks. I love tulips and daffs in the pots, but then I want to put annuals such as geraniums and petunias in the same pots. How do I deal with the tulip and daff leaves as I want them to come back next year and not have to dig them up and replant in the fall?

Doug says you don't. Unfortunately. The reality is that if you plant over top of them - and water like crazy to keep the annuals blooming, the bulbs are not going to be happy. The deal is to move the bulbs out of the pot and transplant (carefully) to some rotten soil. Move/replant at the same depth as they were in the pot. Ignore for the summer. Dig up and plant in pot for winter - store pot where it won't freeze solid but get cold weather for 16 weeks.

But trying to hold these spring bulbs in the pots over the summer and grow annuals over top of them isn't going to give you flowers next spring.

Or simply toss the bulbs away - and start over again next fall.