Garden Bulbs

A bulb garden is wonderfully simple to create. Start by choosing a sunny, free-draining spot, then loosen the soil so the roots can spread easily. Plant each bulb at roughly two to three times its own depth, spacing them so they have room to grow to their full growth width and height. Mix early, mid, and late-season bulbs for a long display, and don’t worry about being too precise as natural groupings often look more charming than straight rows. Water them in once planted, then let nature do the rest

If you need to store bulbs, keep them in a cool and dry sheltered spot. A paper bag or mesh tray works far better than anything sealed, and a shed or garage is ideal as long as it stays frost free. Brush off loose soil rather than washing the bulbs, and check on them now and again, disposing of any that start to soften.

It depends on the type, but a good rule is to plant spring-flowering bulbs in autumn, once the soil cools, and summer-flowering bulbs in spring when the risk of frost has passed. Autumn-flowering bulbs can go in during late summer. As long as the soil isn’t frozen or waterlogged, you’ll have a good planting window.

Think in layers. Taller varieties such as alliums can sit towards the back, mid-height tulips and daffodils through the middle, and smaller bulbs like crocus and scilla at the front or drifting through lawns. Plant in generous groups or drifts rather than isolated singles, and stagger bloom times to create a rolling display from February right through to summer.

Reliable favourites include daffodils, tulips, alliums, crocus, snowdrops, hyacinths, and bluebells. If you love scent, go for hyacinths or narcissus. For summer, lilies, gladioli, and agapanthus are excellent choices. The best bulbs are the ones that suit your soil, light levels, and the look you want to achieve, so there’s no single right answer.

That's the best part - they suit both beautifully! Planting in the ground means less work and maintenance for you, and often gives bulbs more moisture and space. But, pots offer brilliant control, especially for tulips, and let you move displays exactly where you want the colour - think patios, balconies, or even either side of the backdoor. In containers, remember to use a free-draining compost and raise pots slightly off the ground so water can escape through drainage holes at the base of the pot - you can drill extra before planting if needed.

Most bulbs prefer to be planted as soon as possible. Spring bulbs bought in autumn can sit safely for a few weeks if stored well, but leaving them out for months risks them drying out. Summer bulbs such as dahlias and begonias cope with short storage periods, but it’s always best to plant promptly.