Your Guide to Spring Bulbs: Choosing, Planting and Growing

Spring bulbs are one of the easiest ways to look ahead to the season to come. Planted in autumn, they spend the colder months quietly developing beneath the soil before bursting into life when the days begin to lengthen.

And there is far more choice than you might think.

From the first delicate crocuses and irises of late winter to cheerful daffodils, scented hyacinths, colourful tulips and architectural alliums, bulbs can bring colour, fragrance and interest to almost every part of the garden.

They can be planted in borders, naturalised through lawns, grown in pots and containers or even brought indoors. You can choose them for their colour, their flowering time, their fragrance, their wildlife value — or simply because you have fallen in love with a particular flower.

So, before choosing your bulbs, it is worth thinking about what you would like your garden to look and feel like when spring arrives.

 

If you're looking for…	Consider…
The earliest spring colour	Crocuses, irises and other early-flowering bulbs
Reliable colour year after year	Daffodils and narcissi
A huge choice of colours and flower shapes	Tulips
Height and structure	Alliums
Fragrance	Hyacinths
Natural-looking planting	Crocuses, bluebells and suitable daffodils and narcissi
Colourful containers	Tulips, daffodils, narcissi, hyacinths and crocuses
A long succession of flowers	A mixture of early-, mid- and later-flowering bulbs
Something a little different	Specialist tulips and less familiar bulb varieties
Flowers for pollinators	Suitable early-flowering bulbs and Blooms, Bees & Butterflies packs
Growing indoors	Hyacinths and paperwhites
An easy ready-made planting	Ready-spaced bulb trays
A layered container	A bulb lasagne or a pre-selected layer-planting pack

This is only a starting point. One of the joys of bulbs is that many can be used in several different ways, so don’t be afraid to experiment.

Look beyond the familiar favourites

Daffodils and narcissi

Daffodils are sometimes overlooked because they are so familiar, but there is much more variety within this group than the traditional bright yellow trumpet flower suggests.

There are whites, creams and bicoloured flowers, as well as different shapes and sizes. Different varieties also flower at different times, making it possible to extend the season by choosing a selection rather than planting everything at once.

They are reliable bulbs that can return year after year and are particularly versatile. Depending on the variety and growing conditions, they can be planted in borders, containers and suitable areas of grass.

Tulips

Tulips offer perhaps the greatest choice when it comes to colour and flower form.

There are simple single-flowered varieties, fuller double flowers, fringed varieties and unusual shapes, with colours ranging from soft whites, creams and blush pinks to deep purples, reds and increasingly popular warmer shades of copper, peach, terracotta and burnt orange.

This year we have some particularly interesting varieties, including La Belle Époque and Acuminata. They are a good reminder that tulips don't have to mean the traditional cup-shaped flowers in bright primary colours — there are varieties to suit much softer and more contemporary planting schemes too.

Crocuses

Crocuses are among the earliest bulbs to bring colour to the garden, often appearing when little else is flowering.

Their smaller size makes them particularly useful for natural-looking planting. They can be planted amongst grass, beneath deciduous trees and shrubs, in borders or in containers.

A scattering of crocuses through a lawn can be especially effective, creating pockets of colour rather than a formal display.

Iris

Early-flowering iris can bring some of the first real pops of colour to the garden. Their distinctive flowers are very different from the rounded blooms of crocuses or daffodils, making them useful when you want to introduce a little variety to an early spring display.

Hyacinths

If fragrance is important to you, hyacinths are difficult to overlook.

Their dense flower spikes provide strong blocks of colour in the garden, while their distinctive scent makes them particularly enjoyable planted near doors, paths or seating areas.

They can also be grown indoors, where their flowers and fragrance can be enjoyed at close quarters.

Alliums

Alliums bring something different again. Their tall stems and rounded flower heads provide height and structure, making them particularly effective amongst other plants in a border.

They can help create a sense of movement upwards through a planting scheme and their architectural flower heads can remain interesting even after flowering.

Anemones, bluebells and other spring bulbs

There are plenty of other bulbs and bulbous plants worth exploring too, from the softer, more informal flowers of anemones to bluebells for naturalistic or woodland-style planting.

Part of the fun of choosing bulbs is discovering varieties that you may not have considered before.

Rather than relying on one type, try combining different shapes, heights and flowering times to create a more varied spring display.

Think about when you want things to flower

One of the easiest ways to create a longer-lasting spring display is to think about succession.

Bulbs don't all flower at the same time. Early crocuses and irises can provide some of the first colour, followed by daffodils and narcissi, with tulips, alliums and other later-flowering varieties extending the display into late spring.

You can also choose several varieties of the same bulb that flower at different points in the season. This is particularly useful if you love tulips or daffodils and want to enjoy them for as long as possible.

There is another important timing consideration when it comes to bulbs: when to plant them.

Most spring bulbs are planted during autumn, but the ideal planting time varies between types and varieties. Some can be planted earlier in the season, while others are better planted later. If you're buying bulbs at different points through autumn, check the instructions on the packet rather than assuming they all need to go in at exactly the same time.

Thinking about both planting time and flowering time will help you get the most from your bulbs.

Think about colour

Colour is one of the simplest ways to give some thought to how your spring garden will look.

For a softer, more natural feel, consider whites, creams, pale yellows, blush pinks and gentle purples.

For something brighter and more energetic, stronger yellows, reds, oranges and purples can create real impact.

You can also use bulbs to introduce warmer tones such as copper, peach and terracotta. These colours can work beautifully alongside softer pinks and creams and can give spring planting a slightly different feel.

Don't feel that you have to mix lots of colours together. Repeating one colour or planting one variety in groups can be incredibly striking, particularly in containers.

Equally, choosing a small number of complementary colours and repeating them throughout different areas of the garden can help the overall planting feel more cohesive.

Where can you plant spring bulbs?

Bulbs are remarkably versatile, and you don't need a large garden or a dedicated flower bed to enjoy them.

In borders

Autumn is actually an excellent time to think about planting bulbs in your borders because you can still see the garden as it is now.

Most perennials and shrubs are still visible, making it much easier to spot gaps that could benefit from spring colour. You can see which areas are already busy and which could accommodate bulbs, rather than trying to remember where everything was once the garden has died back.

Think about where you would like the flowers to appear and how they will work with the plants that are already there. Smaller bulbs can be useful towards the front of a border, while taller varieties such as alliums can provide height further back.

It is also worth thinking beyond spring. Bulbs can be planted amongst perennials and shrubs that will fill the space later in the year, allowing the same area to change as the seasons progress.

In pots and containers

Containers are particularly useful if you have limited space, or if you want to create a concentrated display.

There are lots of ways to approach planting bulbs in pots. You can combine different varieties and colours for a relaxed, layered display, or create something much simpler and more striking by planting one variety or one colour throughout a pot.

A container filled with tulips in a single colour can make a particularly strong statement, especially when you choose a variety with distinctive flowers. Repeating the same colour or variety in several pots can also create a sense of rhythm and continuity.

Alternatively, you can combine different bulbs to create a longer season of interest. This is where a bulb lasagne can work particularly well.

In lawns and grass

Some bulbs are particularly well suited to naturalising in grass, creating a more informal spring display.

Crocuses can look beautiful scattered through a lawn, while suitable daffodils and other naturalising bulbs can create a more substantial display.

The aim is to create something that feels as though the flowers belong there rather than appearing in precise rows. Once established, naturalised bulbs can provide a welcome burst of colour year after year.

How to plant bulbs

Planting bulbs is generally straightforward, but a little preparation will help give them a good start.

Choose a suitable position for the bulbs you are planting and make sure the soil is well drained. Dig a hole to the depth recommended on the packet — planting depth varies between different types and varieties — and place the bulb with the pointed end facing upwards.

Cover with soil and water if conditions are particularly dry.

For containers, use good-quality compost and make sure the container has adequate drainage. Again, follow the planting instructions for the particular bulbs you have chosen.

If you're planting a large number of bulbs, a bulb planting tool can make the job considerably easier, particularly when planting into lawns or borders. A suitable bulb mix, starter fertiliser and a good trowel can also make the process easier.

And if you don't fancy planting individual bulbs at all, there are simpler options.

Ready-spaced bulb trays

Our ready-spaced bulb trays are a straightforward way to create a group planting without having to position every bulb individually.

The bulbs have already been arranged for you, so the tray can be planted together into a suitable area of the garden or a container. It is an easy way to achieve a fuller display while taking some of the guesswork out of spacing.

Create a bulb lasagne

A bulb lasagne is a great option if you want a container that provides colour over a longer period.

The idea is to plant different bulbs in layers, with later-flowering bulbs deeper in the container and earlier-flowering bulbs nearer the top.

As spring progresses, the different layers come into flower, giving you a succession of blooms from the same pot.

You can create your own combinations by choosing bulbs with different flowering times, colours and heights. Or, if you'd rather not work out the combinations yourself, we also have layer-planting bulb packs, where the varieties have already been selected to work together. The packs include instructions explaining how to plant the different layers, making it a much easier way to get started.

Think about bulbs for wildlife too

Spring bulbs can provide more than just colour for the garden. Early flowers can provide a useful source of food for pollinating insects at a time of year when there may be relatively little else in flower.

If supporting wildlife is one of your gardening priorities, consider including suitable early-flowering bulbs and allowing some to naturalise rather than treating every part of the garden as a formal display.

Choosing a mixture of flowers that bloom at different times can also help provide a succession of food sources.

For an easy way to introduce a selection of wildlife-friendly bulbs, look out for our Blooms, Bees & Butterflies variety packs, which have been selected with pollinators in mind.

 

Grow bulbs indoors

Bulbs don't have to be confined to the garden.

Hyacinths can be grown indoors in glass vases or suitable containers, allowing you to enjoy both their flowers and their fragrance at close quarters. Paperwhites are another option for indoor growing and can provide flowers during the winter months.

Growing bulbs indoors can also make a lovely seasonal project or gift. A hyacinth in a simple glass vase, for example, combines the growing plant with an attractive display and makes a thoughtful present.

If you're hoping for flowers around Christmas or the New Year, remember that some bulbs need a period of preparation before they flower, so check the instructions for the particular variety you choose.

 

Choose something a little different

Once you start looking at the range of spring bulbs available, it is easy to see that there is much more to them than the traditional favourites.

Perhaps you want a particular colour to complement an existing planting scheme, a flower with an unusual shape, something strongly scented, or a variety that will create a real focal point in a container.

Specialist tulips such as La Belle Époque and Acuminata are good examples. They offer something different from the more familiar tulips and can become a real feature when planted in groups.

Sometimes the simplest approach is also the most effective — a container filled entirely with one beautiful variety can have far more impact than a mixture of everything.

A little planning now means more colour next spring

The best thing about spring bulbs is their versatility.

You might want the first flashes of colour from crocuses and irises, dependable daffodils and narcissi returning year after year, scented hyacinths near the back door, a lawn scattered with spring flowers, or pots filled with dramatic tulips.

You can choose bulbs for their colour, shape, fragrance, flowering time or wildlife value. You can combine different varieties to create a succession of flowers, plant one colour for impact, create a bulb lasagne in a container or grow some indoors for winter colour.

Before you choose, take a moment to think about the garden you would like to see next spring.

Where are the gaps? Which colours would work with the plants you already have? Do you want one strong display or flowers appearing over several months? Would you like to attract early pollinators? Are there containers that could be transformed with bulbs?

Once you have an idea of the effect you want to create, choosing the right bulbs becomes much easier.

And perhaps that is the best thing about planting bulbs: a little thought and preparation now can give you something to look forward to all winter — and a garden full of colour when spring finally arrives.

Our spring bulb range is now in store, with plenty of varieties to explore, from familiar favourites to something a little different. Whether you're planting your first bulbs or adding to an established garden, we hope you'll find plenty of inspiration for spring.

If you’re not sure which bulbs are right for you, our knowledgeable plant team at Bampton Garden Plants is always happy to offer advice and help you choose.