There are two ways to buy and/or transplant flower bulbs: either when they dry and dormant, or when they are in growth, known as “in the green”
Most bulbs are like bareroot trees in the sense that they are only transplanted when they are dormant. But a few species tend to transplant better when they are “in the green“.
- A dormant bulb is “dry“. It’s not growing, and the roots and shoots have all died back and mostly withered away. They are planted in late Autumn / early Winter.
- A bulb “in the green” is growing, with living, active roots and shoots. They are either about to flower, flowering, or have already flowered. They are planted in late Winter / early Spring.
“In the green” is a bit of a misnomer, because it’s quite normal for them to arrive with yellowing foliage that withers after planting. This is not a problem, the important action is in the roots.
Which Bulbs Can Be Planted in the Green?
Bluebells, Wild Daffodils, Snowdrops, and Winter Aconites are suitable and widely sold for Spring planting in the green, as well as planting dry in Autumn.
Spring flowering Crocus, Iris reticulata, Lily of the Valley (Convallaria majus), Snowflakes (Leucojum vernum and L. aestivum), Cyclamen, and Fritillarias are also suitable but less commonly sold in the green.
Some of them, especially Crocus, are very fragile and break so easily that they are only worth trying in pots, rather than out in the soil.
Are Bulbs in the Green Better Than Dry Bulbs?
We think so, especially in the case of snowdrops, but we honestly don’t have proof. To our knowledge, the Royal Horticultural Society has never done trials comparing them, and their statement on the matter is ambiguous:
“Some bulbs, such as winter aconites, bluebells and snowdrops, are thought to be best planted, moved or divided ‘in the green’, when flowering is over, but they are still in leaf. However, dried bulbs are often offered and can be successful.”
There are some clear pros:
- You can clearly see if your bulbs are alive or not. Reassuring!
- Bulbs transplanted in the green experience less stress, so typically establish and flower faster than the same variety planted in Autumn.
- Other bulbs in the planting area will already be showing, so bare patches where there are no bulbs will be obvious, and you don’t risk digging them up by mistake as you would in Autumn.
- Once planted, their leaves are above ground, so you can clearly see where you have already planted.
And cons:
- Bulbs in the green are more fragile and need careful handling.
- They should be planted in their new location ASAP.
- They are a bit more expensive than dry bulbs, especially if you buy them potted (which we don’t sell).
Read about How and Where to plant bulbs in the green.
