Spring Bulb Planting Guide

Spring flowering bulbs are a vital part of any garden, offering vibrant colour early in the year. Many beloved garden plants grow from bulbs, including snowdrops and crocuses in late winter, and daffodils and tulips in spring. Generally, spring-flowering bulbs should be planted in autumn.

When planted while dormant, these bulbs become powerhouses that bloom a few months later, creating a stunning display of colourful flowers. The term ‘bulb’ typically includes true bulbs like daffodils and tulips, as well as tubers, corms, and rhizomes.

Most spring flowering bulbs thrive in pots and are attractive to pollinators. To achieve the best visual impact, plant more bulbs than you think you need, as they look most impressive when planted in large groups.

Success with spring bulbs

To ensure your bulbs look spectacular next spring, here are some top tips for planting bulbs in pots, in lawns and in your borders.

Most bulbs require a sunny spot and well-drained soil. However, some bulbs, like snowdrops and narcissi, can also thrive in partial shade. Many bulbs look stunning when planted in drifts among perennials in borders. Spring bulbs are especially attractive when planted under deciduous shrubs in a border. Many bulbs are suitable for naturalising in lawns. These include Crocus, Fritilaria meleagris, Galanthus (Snowdrops), Camassia, Chionodoxa Hyacinthoides non-scripta (Bluebells) and more

Bulb planting depths

When planting bulbs, it’s crucial to plant them at the correct depth to ensure proper flowering. Bulbs planted too deeply may only produce foliage or may not emerge at all. However, planting them too shallowly can be worse, as they are more likely to be accidentally dug up or eaten by squirrels.

As a general rule, plant bulbs at a depth three times their size, though there are exceptions to this guideline.

Hyacinths: 10cm or twice their depth

Tulips: 20cm or three times their depth

Fritillaria meleagris, (Snake’s Head Fritillary): 10cm or five times their depth

Camassia: 10-15cm deep, or around twice the height of the bulb

How to Plant Bulbs in Containers

In pots, bulbs can be planted less deeply and closer together. This allows you to pot different bulbs in various containers, enabling you to rotate the display and highlight those at their peak. Use a peat-free, multi-purpose compost, and consider adding horticultural grit for improved drainage. For the best display, replace bulbs in pots annually.

Step 1: Add Drainage

• Place some crocks (broken pots or similar) at the bottom of the pot for drainage.

Step 2: Add Compost

• Add compost to the base of the pot. For larger pots, a depth of around 10 cm is ideal.

Step 3: Position the Bulbs

• Place your bulbs with the pointed end up, spacing them about 1-2 cm apart.

Step 4: Fill and Water

• Top up the pot with compost and water thoroughly.

You can pot different bulbs in separate pots for rotating displays, bringing those at their peak to the forefront. Alternatively, layer bulbs for maximum impact and a continuous succession of flowers.