GETTING A JUMP ON SPRING

As winter lingers and I eagerly await the arrival of spring, I can already see those magical green shoots appearing in my garden. I love to get a jump on things by bringing the season indoors, which always seems to lift my spirits. Bringing pre-bloomed spring bulbs into your home is a simple yet impactful way to welcome the season early.

Rather than purchasing cut flowers to dress up my house or table I have found that one of the easiest and most effective ways to do this in the spring is by using already-flowering spring bulbs from the garden centre. These pre-bloomed bulbs—such as tulips, daffodils, hyacinths, and crocuses—allow you to enjoy the beauty of spring weeks before they appear in outdoor gardens. I try to style them in creative ways that can show off all their features including their attractive roots and bulbs - rather than just a more regular planted basket.

There seem to be so many reasons why bringing spring inside can be a very rewarding project! Here are some we have thought of at Peche Mignon Life.

INSTANT COLOUR AND CHEERFULNESS

Instead of waiting for the spring flowers in your garden to emerge, buying blooming bulbs from a garden centre provides immediate gratification. Their bright hues—sunny yellows, soft pinks, and deep purples, not to mention sophisticated whites — instantly cheer up a space and can banish the winter blues.

LONG-LASTING BLOOMS

Unlike cut flowers, potted spring bulbs continue to grow and bloom over time. They last longer than a standard bouquet, offering beauty for weeks rather than just a few days and, with proper care, you can extend their blooming period further. I have always loved having orchids in my home for this reason - but to be honest, using spring bulbs can be just as effective, and at least they can be replanted outdoors for enjoyment in future years, hence the numerous daffodil shoots that greet me every spring - I have often dug up some of them and replanted them in the house again to decorate a dinner table!

PERFECT FOR TABLE CENTREPIECES

Flowering bulbs make stunning table decorations, adding an elegant and seasonal touch to dinner parties,. Small potted bulbs or plants can be arranged in decorative containers, woven into tablescapes, or used as place-setting accents. I like to add twigs, branches, stones and or moss to some of my arrangements.

A NATURAL AIR FRESHENER

Certain spring bulbs, like hyacinths and narcissus, produce a delightful fragrance that fills the room with a fresh, floral scent. Unlike artificial air fresheners, these blooms provide a natural and gentle way to freshen up the house.

EASY AND LOW MAINTENANCE

Pre-bloomed bulbs require very little effort to keep them looking their best. Simply place them in a bright spot (but out of direct, harsh sunlight), keep the soil slightly moist, and enjoy their beauty. Unlike fresh flowers that need constant trimming and water changes, bulbs are an easy-care option. If you are not using soil make sure that only the roots are in direct contact with the water - I usually use small stones to lift the bulb. Whilst the bulb can absorb some moisture it should not be sitting in water so gently rinsing the soil off the bulb and roots under tepid running water is fine.

A SUSTAINABLE CHOICE

Instead of tossing out wilted bouquets, bulbs can be replanted in your garden once they finish blooming indoors. With the right aftercare, they’ll return year after year, providing a more eco-friendly and cost-effective alternative to cut flowers.

A HEAD START ON SPRING GARDENING AND OUTDOOR CONTAINER PLANTING

For those eager to get their hands in the soil, bringing flowering bulbs indoors is a great way to get excited for the upcoming gardening season. Once the weather warms up, you can transplant the bulbs into outdoor flower beds or containers, ensuring an even longer season of enjoyment.

ENDLESS STYLING POSSIBILITIES, CREATIVE FUN

Flowering bulbs and or plants can be displayed in a variety of creative ways. I usually go on a treasure hunt in my home to find some unusual containers! Arrange them in rustic wooden crates, modern ceramic pots, glasses, cups or bowls. You can even group different types of bulbs and plants together for a layered, multi-textured display. As mentioned earlier you can add twigs, branches, moss etc. to create a great display.

So you can see how using pre-planted bulbs and other greenery fits well with the Péché Mignon Life theme, basically ticking all the boxes! A simple, uplifting, creative, beautiful, relatively cheap and sustainable project - what more could you ask for!

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NOTES

Whilst you can use "forced" bulbs for a continuous all year display in your home,

forcing bulbs is a whole other story. It can be a fun project to try too and at some later date I will do a post on forcing bulbs. For now here is a link to an excellent website on the subject. Of course, you can use the same vases that are sold for forcing bulbs for your displays of already bloomed bulbs!

https://empressofdirt.net/timing-forced-bulbs-indoors/

Please be aware that if you have a cat or dog at home any flowers/bulbs/plants you bring into the house should be checked for level of toxicity for animals!