How To Plant Flower Bulbs

Growing Flower Bulbs Successfully

Flower Bulbs are essential garden elements, providing vibrant colour through the year. Winter has Snowdrops, Cyclamens, and Crocuses, Spring delivers Daffodils and Tulips, summer is alive with Alliums, Lilies and Dahlias, and Autumn Nerines and Colchicums.

With a little planning and planting, bulbs give you waves of vivid blooms for almost no maintenance.

When to Plant Bulbs

• Most bulbs are planted dry in Autumn
• Some species are also planted while in growth in early Spring
• There are exceptions like tender Dahlia tubers

Read our list of when to plant different bulbs by season for details.

If you've missed the ideal planting window, plant bulbs as soon as possible. Discard any soft or rotten ones. Though performance may be poor the first year, bulbs usually improve in following seasons.
Use Bulb Rootgrow at planting, then add balanced fertilizer later when they make leaves to help them along.

Choosing the Right Spot

• Sunny, well-drained spots: Ideal for Tulips and Daffodils.
• Woodland environments: Snowdrops, Bluebells, and Aconites thrive in cool, moist conditions.
• Containers: Many bulbs, like Lilies and Tulips, do well in pots. Layering bulbs in containers can extend blooming.

How to Plant Bulbs in Borders

• Group planting: Plant at least five bulbs together (25-50 for a real impact).
• Plant depth: Dig a hole two to three times the bulb's height (e.g., plant a 5cm bulb 10-15cm deep).
• Position: Place bulbs with their ‘nose’ facing up and space them at least twice their width apart.
• Cover and firm: Replace soil and gently tap down with a rake. Avoid stepping on the soil.
• Water: Only water after planting if the soil is dry or planting in spring.

How to Plant Bulbs in Containers

• Soil mix: For short-term displays, use 3 parts multi-purpose compost and 1 part grit. For long-term planting, use John Innes No. 2 compost with grit.
• Planting depth: Plant bulbs two to three times their height and space them one bulb-width apart.
• Watering & Feeding: Water once after planting, then regularly during active growth. Feed with a high-potassium fertilizer every 7-10 days after shoots appear. Stop feeding once foliage yellows.

General Planting Depth Guidelines

Here's a video about flower bulb planting depths that shows you in pots and in the ground.

If in doubt, plant bulbs at a depth of 2-3 times their height. For example, a 5cm bulb should be covered with 10-15cm of soil.
Tulips naturalize best when planted deeper, around four times their height.

For spring planting, follow the same rules. Plant Lilies and Gladioli at 15cm deep, and cover Dahlias with 10cm of soil in late March or April.

By following these guidelines, you can enjoy vibrant, healthy blooms throughout the year.