Colour burst containers

Get set for a vibrant spring with these eye-catching, yet simple, flower-packed pots

- WORDS RICH HEATHCOTE PHOTOS NEIL HEPWORTH

Autumn heralds the start of bulb-planting season, which is great because one of my favourite jobs at this time of year is planting bulbs in pots. It's quick, easy, inexpensive and promises the joy of colourful blooms next spring. A bit of planning can give you containers bursting with colour for months, as well as flowers to cut and bring into the house.

Pots of bulbs are incredibly versatile, from the container itself – which can be zinc, terracotta, reclaimed, tall, wide, long – to their position, be it grouped with others or standalone, or framing a door, bench or gateway. Most bulbs grow well in pots as long as they’re deep enough, and a quick glance at a bulb catalogue gives you an idea of the huge range of colours and shapes of flowers available.

I’ve put together some of my favourite combinations to get you started, as well as a step-by-step guide and tips to get the most from your pots.

Citrus punch

Cramming lots of bulbs of one variety into a pot makes a real statement. This tulip was ideal for this approach as it produces flowers in lots of hues, from egg-yolk yellow to deep orange and, as with all tulips, it's good for cutting - another reason to plant plenty in one pot. I've underplanted them with violas that can be planted at the same time as the bulbs, giving you instant colour over winter.

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