Spring bulbs & plants

Most spring-flowering bulbs are planted in the UK during autumn, from September to November. Daffodils, crocuses, hyacinths and many other bulbs can be planted from September, while tulips are generally best planted later, from October to mid-December. Planting in autumn gives bulbs time to develop roots before they emerge and flower in spring.

Many of the best-known spring-flowering bulbs are planted in autumn, including tulips, daffodils, narcissi, alliums, crocuses, hyacinths, muscari, fritillarias and scillas. Planting a mixture of different varieties and flowering times can provide colour from late winter through to late spring, with some ornamental alliums continuing the display into early summer.

A useful general rule is to plant bulbs at a depth of around two to three times their own height. Larger bulbs such as daffodils and tulips are therefore planted more deeply than small bulbs such as crocuses and muscari. Always check the requirements of the individual variety, as the ideal planting depth can differ between different types of bulb.

Most bulbs should be planted with the pointed end or growing tip facing upwards and the flatter root-producing base at the bottom. Some bulbs have a less obvious shape, so if you cannot tell which way up they should go, planting them on their side is usually a safe option. The emerging shoot will generally find its way towards the soil surface.

Spacing depends on the size and type of bulb, but most spring bulbs look best planted in groups or informal drifts rather than individually. Larger bulbs such as tulips and daffodils can usually be spaced around 8–15cm apart, while smaller bulbs can be planted more closely. Allowing a little space between bulbs also gives naturalising varieties room to increase over time.

Yes. Most spring-flowering bulbs grow very well in pots and containers. Choose a container with good drainage holes and use a free-draining peat-free compost. Bulbs can usually be planted more closely in pots than in borders for a fuller seasonal display. You can also layer different bulbs at different depths to create a bulb lasagne with several waves of spring flowers.

Healthy spring-flowering bulbs are often still worth planting later than the ideal autumn window, provided the soil is workable and not frozen or waterlogged. Tulips are routinely planted into December, while other spring bulbs are generally better planted earlier. If you discover unplanted bulbs in winter, planting them promptly is usually preferable to storing them until the following autumn.

Spring-flowering bulbs can provide colour from late winter through to late spring and early summer, depending on the variety. Snowdrops and some crocuses are among the earliest, followed by daffodils, hyacinths, muscari and tulips. Many ornamental alliums flower later in spring or early summer. Choosing bulbs with different flowering periods helps create a longer succession of colour.

After flowering, remove faded flowers where appropriate but leave the foliage in place until it has yellowed and died back naturally. The leaves continue to gather energy while they remain green. Many bulbs, including daffodils, crocuses and some alliums, can remain in the ground and flower again in following years. Tulips are generally less reliable at returning strongly, so fresh bulbs are often planted each autumn for the best display.