Spring flowering bulbs
It’s a fact of life: to enjoy the glorious bulb flowers that bloom in spring – such as tulips, daffodils, hyacinths, crocuses and others – you have to plant them in the fall. That’s the bad news. The good news is that nothing is easier to grow or more colorfully rewarding than flower bulbs. Even the most unskilled gardener can create a breathtaking and beautiful spring garden with flower bulbs.
Discover our favorite spring flower bulbs in full color
“Anyone can plant spring flower bulbs”
Just plant them in autumn before the first frost, give them a bit of water, and let the winter cold do its magic. By the time spring arrives, your garden will be blooming with vibrant colors.
Choose the Right Spot
Full sun or partial shade – just make sure it drains well. Most spring-flowering Dutch bulbs love sunlight but will grow well in almost any area with proper drainage. Avoid areas with standing water, such as low spots or near downspouts.
Dig and Measure Correctly
Depth matters: size determines how deep to go. Dig a trench or individual holes. Plant large bulbs (2″ or more) about 6 inches deep and small bulbs (1″) about 3–4 inches deep.
Prepare the Soil
Loosen, clean, and enrich for better growth. Rake the soil to remove weeds and stones. Mix in peat moss to improve drainage and create the perfect foundation for healthy roots.
Plant with Care
Pointy side up, and spaced just right. Gently place (don’t force) each bulb into the soil with the tip facing up. Space large bulbs 3–8 inches apart and small ones 1–3 inches.
Cover, Water & Protect
Backfill, hydrate, and mulch for winter protection. Cover bulbs with soil, water well if dry, and add 2–3 inches of mulch. This locks in moisture and shields them from the cold.
Frequently Asked Questions about spring flower bulbs
Planting spring flower bulbs
When is the best time to plant flower bulbs?
Tulips should be planted from mid-September until mid-December. Fall is the best time for this since they require a cold period. Make sure, however, to plant them before the soil freezes for the first time. It’s best to plant flower bulbs as soon as possible after you buy them. If you have to store them for a while, keep them in a cool (50 to 60 degrees Fahrenheit) dry place.
Why do flower bulbs need to be planted in the fall?
Can I store flower bulbs before planting them?
Yes, you can store flower bulbs before planting, but they need the right conditions. Keep them in a cool, dry, and well-ventilated place, such as a paper bag in a garage or basement. Avoid storing them in plastic bags, since that can trap moisture and cause rot. It’s best to plant them in fall, but if you store them properly, they will stay healthy until planting time.
Which side of the flower bulb should face up?
When planting flower bulbs, always place them with the pointed side facing up. This is where the stem and leaves will emerge in spring. The flatter, wider side is where the roots grow, so it should face downward into the soil. Planting them the right way ensures healthy growth and strong blooms.
Can I plant flower bulbs among the roots of perennials and shrubs?
Flower bulbs planted in these locations have to be strong enough to “go it on their own”; in other words, to be able to take care of themselves between such powerful competitors. In addition, the kinds that flower earliest are often the kinds chosen for these sites since they are easily visible among the woody plants that are still bare. Perfect here would be a mixture of at least six varieties of naturalizing flower bulbs that have successive flowering periods. Such a combination planted in variously sized clusters in the lightest spots of a wooded area or along the edge of a wood will ensure years of flowering that becomes increasingly profuse year after year.
Growing and aftercare
Can you plant flower bulbs in any kind of garden and in every type of soil?
Flower bulbs can be planted in any garden and/or every type of soil. The most important thing is that the part of the garden where the flower bulbs are to be planted must not become too wet during the winter. Water that remains in puddles several days after a rain will absolutely ruin a bulb border. About the only other exception involves the Checkered fritillary (Fritillaria meleagris) that will not grow well when planted in dry soil such as that found under a Thuja. And, although heavy river clay makes it difficult to dig planting holes for tulips and daffodils, they will thrive in this type of soil.
Do tulips prefer a sunny or a shady spot in yard?
Tulips are sun as well as shade lovers. But when planting your tulips this fall, don’t be fooled by the patterns of sun and shade in the fall garden! Remember that come spring, when tulips bloom, all the deciduous, non-evergreen trees in your yard will be beautifully leafless. There’s a lot of sun in a spring garden!
Do flowerbulbs have to be lifted after they flower?
Flower bulbs that you have bought for naturalizing can simply be left undisturbed. These flower bulbs will come back year after year and even increase in number. As for other flower bulbs, never remove them from the soil right after they flower but wait at least until their foliage has died back entirely. In this way, you give the flower bulbs a chance to grow and store the energy they will need for next year. Not only is the lifting and storing of flower bulbs a difficult chore but it frequently leads to disappointing results as well.
