Guest Author - Nikki Phipps

Look around the stores and Halloween candy or costumes won’t be the only things you see. Christmas items are quickly beginning to fill up the shelves. That’s right, before you know it that dreaded holiday shopping will be creeping up on you. Have you made your list out yet? Well, if you’re looking for a great gift idea for the flower bulb lover, look no further. Send them a basket of bulbs.

This is easy to make yourself or you can have someone else do it, depending on your level of creativity. A basket of bulbs can be created to fit the individual personality of its receiver. For instance, my mother’s favorite color is yellow, she loves daisies, lilies, and basically anything else you can plant in the garden. Therefore, I would probably choose bulbs that include yellow varieties and include seed packets for daisies. If, for example, the recipient was wild about vivid spring color, one could include a variety of spring bulbs such as grape hyacinths, dwarf yellow daffodils and bright red double early tulips.

Nearly any bulb will work for creating a beautiful gift basket; however, since spring bulbs require a cold dormancy period, these bulbs typically work well for the holidays. You could even throw in some fall/winter plants, such as ivy and violas, along the outer edges of the basket for additional interest. This basket of bulbs can be kept outdoors in a sunny, but well-protected area like the porch or garage. With the threat of severe weather, this can easily be moved indoors.

Now for putting it all together. Although you’re open to use your imagination, you should begin with a wire-hanging basket, approximately 14 inches in diameter. You’ll need to fill the bottom of this with some moss as well as at least a third of the sides. To help retain soil, you can add a coffee filter (with slits cut into it) on top of the moss in the bottom of the basket. Add some soil, amended with compost, and add your chosen plants along the sides, filling in with additional moss. Now carefully begin placing your flower bulbs in the middle (one variety at a time), covering with soil just to their tips. Add another layer of bulbs and cover with soil. One to three bulb varieties works best. After the last layer of bulbs, top it off with another round of potted plants, or you can choose to add a small decorative ornament, such as a watering can, filling this with a few packets of flower seeds for spring planting.

And now you’re ready to give your gift to the recipient. Note, it may be helpful, if not appreciative, to also include the types of bulbs planted along with instructions for their care.