Planting snowdrops and crocuses into hard ground

cherydee

I confess now I know nothing about gardening (no garden) My dad and son died within 5 months of each other and we have a cherry tree at our local cemetery in their memory. The ground is rock hard around it, but I want to plant snowdrops and crocuses, so there will be colour in the colder months. To get around this wondering if I lay compost down planted the bulbs in this and then covered with more compost would they be able to take root in the hard ground beneath or will this not work. Thanks for any advice anyone can give.

I_have_spoken

The mice would be away in a trice with crocus bulbs just covered in compost IMHO.

You really need to get crocus bulbs 3 inches into the ground, maybe get a planter - http://www.crocus.co.uk/product/_/de-wit-hand-crocus-snowdrop-bulb-planter/classid.2000009240/

N.B. snowdrops don't come reliably from dried bulbs, you're better planting them 'in the green' just after they've flowered, much better chance of display the following year.

I like Dutch iris for early colour, they appear even when snow is on ground.

Farway

I_have_spoken wrote: »

The mice would be away in a trice with crocus bulbs just covered in compost IMHO.

Have to agree, the mice will have the crocus bulbs

Perhaps plant in wire mesh cage? But be aware mice squeeze through tiny holes

I have planted crocus on my mum's grave fro over five years, never seen one appear, mice or squirrels free lunch

tanith

That won't work cherydee, the bulbs will never take off they need soil they can root into, could you not plant into pots then stand the pots around or would that not be allowed? Only other alternative is to soak the ground or wait till it softens up after a lot of rain..

cherydee

The cemetery is surrounded by farmers fields, so there will be plenty of mice around. I'll have to have a rethink as already bought the bulbs and just trudged home from the shops with the compost. I thought it was a good idea as well. I appreciate all your comments, many thanks.

I_have_spoken

You can grow crocus indoors, in fact 'force' them into bloom like hyacinths - http://www.guide-to-houseplants.com/crocus-bulb.html