
Spring Flowering Bulbs
Now is the time to start buying your selection of spring flowering bulbs. I am always delighted when boxes packed full of bulbs start to arrive. And isn’t it fascinating how a dull, brown, papery bulb can become the most beautiful, eagerly awaited bloom?
Sarah Raven has a beautiful range to choose from whether you want bulbs for pots, or naturalising or for the borders click here for their spring flowering bulb selection.
Pots of daffodils, tulip displays, naturalised fritillaries and crocus and tiny white snowdrops are the harbingers of spring. They indicate that winter is on its way out and we can look forward to brighter, longer days. Gardens come alive with colour and movement once more.

When Should You Plant Spring Flowering Bulbs?
Spring bulbs can be ordered anytime from August onwards. They are available to buy in stores now. It is best to order online early because you then have the best choice. Most retailers start delivering them from September.
Spring bulbs prefer to be planted into cool soil. Plant them anytime from September to before the ground freezes.

Which Spring Bulbs Should You Choose?
When deciding which spring bulbs to choose, it really is a matter of your own preferences, as with any plants.
In order to have spring colour from as early in the year as possible and to prolong your display, choose bulbs that will give you a variety of flowering times.
Crocus and snowdrops can bloom as early as January and February, followed by daffodils, Narcissus, hyacinths and tulips. Read further ideas for Plants For Spring Colour
There is such a huge variety, it really is your choice as to which ones you want to grow. A swathe of daffodils in shades from vibrant golden yellows to pale lemon and cream. Or a bank of tulips in any colour you could possibly want. Most suppliers now sell pack of bulbs in particular colours and shades so you don’t have to think about which colours go well together.

Spring Bulb Planting Requirements
Spring flowering bulbs are planted in Autumn when the soil is cool, easily worked and hopefully not too wet. They can be planted right into December for spring flowering displays.
Bulbs that come into flower in early spring are usually suited to both sun and partial shade. Planted under trees they will flower and die back before trees become fully greened up.
Soil type
Spring-blooming bulbs are very adaptable and not too fussy about soil type.
However, bulbs perform best when planted in well drained, loose soil.
To improve drainage add a good mix of compost with added grit. Check here for best compost.
Avoid areas that may become waterlogged.
Dead head after flowering but leave the foliage to die back. This gives the bulbs a natural feed and ensures they stay healthy for next year. Bulbs can either be lifted and stored in a cool place or they can be left in the ground. If you are planting in pots then it is usual for the bulbs to be lifted and stored so that you can use the pots for further planting schemes.

Planting Spring Flowering Bulbs in Pots
Even the smallest garden or space can have colour from spring bulbs and using pots and containers could not be easier. Shop here for a wide selection of bulbs.
Use pots and containers to enhance patios, balconies and your windowsills.
First of all choose a container that is deep enough and large enough to hold the compost and your bulbs, giving a good planting depth.
Your pot needs to have drainage holes and should be frost proof.
Place the pot on pot feet to raise it off a solid, cold surface. This helps to prevent frost damage and water logging.
Place some broken crocks in the bottom and add a good quality growing compost with some added grit.
Different bulbs require different depths of planting. Always refer to the guide on the bulb packet.
Also I’ve included this handy chart that gives you bulb depth and bulb spacing.

Add about three inches of compost then place your bulbs. You can add several layers of different bulbs with the largest ones to the bottom. This gives you a longer flowering time and a really good, interesting, colourful display.
Add a final layer of compost with the bulb tips just below the surface.
Water well.
For further information on bulbs please see Step by step guide how to plant spring flowering bulbs.

Planting bulbs is also a great gardening idea for children, let them choose their bulbs as this gives them added interest and encouragement. They will be eager to plant them and see them start to grow.
Let’s have a glorious show of spring flowering bulbs in our gardens, yards, pots and on balconies and windowsills. After a cold, dull winter nothing brightens the day more than a diverse, colourful variety of flowers. Gardeners always have to plan well ahead for each season in order to have a blooming beautiful outdoor space.
If you’re of a mind to visit the Dutch Bulb Fields next spring, visit Dutch Bulbs Fields Keukenhoff for further information.
I would love to see photos of the spring bulbs you grow, so let’s share them on social media or pop your photos in the comments box below.
Here’s to a colourful spring show.
Happy Gardening
Louise
Thank you for this great article. When you started saying they are a sign that the winter is over, I was thinking that it’s almost fall now. But then I understood because you order them now and plant them before the ground freezes. Then they come up next year. Very cool.
I think growing plants is very fulfilling. I like to watch the leaves start out small and then proliferate out. There’s a Locust tree I’m growing and the branches start so small. But then as time goes on you see them growing and growing.
Hi Charles,
Part of the joy of gardening is the planning for each seasonal display, learning what needs to be done in advance to give our gardens and outdoor space colour, form and interest all year round. The Locust tree must look very pretty.
Thank you for your comments.
Louise
Wow, I had no idea that Spring bulbs should be selected and purchased now (in early August)!! I have not yet spent a full year in my current home, so I’m still figuring out the sunlight patterns throughout the year and the best places for plants to thrive. I was pleasantly surprised that the location already had some daffodils that emerged during late Winter / early Spring, but next season I’d love to take it up a notch, and this is extremely helpful to know that my planning should start now. Thank you!
Hello Aly,
How exciting that you have a new garden to explore and get to know.
I always say it takes year in a garden to see how it performs each season.
I’m glad you already have some daffodils to look forward to. Happy planting and planning your new bulbs and flowers.
Best wishes and thank you for your interest.
Louise
Hello Louise, it feels nice to learn a lot about spring flowering bulbs. Though I’m a seasoned gardener and as such I dont engage in planting every time but this spring, ive made a decision to grow the bulbs especially due to their special ambience of beauty that ive seen. But I never knew how to go about it until I read through this post. Seriously, this is simply great and should be worth trying out. Also I learnt how best to apply soil nutrient and the type of soul required. Very great post all together. Thanks
Good day Rodger,
i love to hear from fellow gardeners, I bet your garden is lovely. Spring bulbs certainly do add a lot of beauty to our gardens and you can get really creative with them. Embrace their different forms, colours and styles and they can reward you with fantastic spring displays. Easy to grow too.
Happy Gardening
Louise
My dad had a green thumb, unfortunately, it skipped me. But I still enjoy watching flowers bloom. I had no idea you had to prepare now for spring.
It’s my husband who enjoys gardening, I will definitely get him flowering bulbs so that I can watch beautiful flowers bloom again. My granddaughter also enjoys helping out her grandpa, she loves the dirt and any reason to do some digging is great for her.
Hi Jagi,
A lot of preparation and forward planning goes into gardening so that there is colour and interest all year.
I’m sure your husband and granddaughter will enjoy planting some bulbs. I love to hear that children are enjoying being in a garden.
Best Wishes
Louise
Your website was a wonderful read.
I enjoy seeing all the beautiful colors that spring brings as all the different kinds of flowers bloom.
I have come to appreciate all the work involved that comes with producing a colorful yard. Getting outside and working in the dirt.
Gardening is a true work of art that takes time and commitment to create a coordinated effort to bring about a WOW comment from the viewer. Thanks for putting together a fun, educational and inviting website.
Hello Mike,
Thank you for visiting and for your comments.
Gardens are definitely a work of art. I’m happy hat you have enjoyed this article and looking through= my website.
Louise
Thank you so much for the information about spring bulbs…I always forget that I need to plant them in the fall, to have them in the spring, so this site will help me remember! lol.
I really love your website! Its pretty and colorful, and informative. I love flowers, and will be subscribing to your site so I can learn more about them.
Where did you learn how to make this beautiful website?
Hello Kathleen , thank you so much for your kind comments. I hope you do have some lovely spring flowers next year, I’d love to see photos! ;-))
Thank you too for liking my website, it’s always encouraging to know my visitors enjoy it.
I trained and created it with Wealthy Affiliate :-))
https://www.wealthyaffiliate.com?a_aid=d9ffdefb
Best Wishes
Louise
Even though I’m not passionate about flowers or gardening, your post had made me want to plant bulbs since they’re very beautiful.
In the other side, gardening is a good way to fight anxiety and depression (which I suffer from since 10 months ago), so thank you for this useful post!
Alan.
Hi Alan,
Do you know the first thing I ever painted were spring bulbs. So maybe if you paint some you will become hooked on gardening as I did. lol. Yes I totally agree that gardening helps with anxiety and depression, it has helped me a lot.
This article may interest you too. https://plantsbulbsseeds.com/g…
Thank you for your comments.
Louise
Hi Louise
Oh I love spring bulbs and I too get excited when they start to arrive in the post, like an early Christmas. Planting them with my grandsons is one of life’s joys. The anticipation of them coming up and flowering in spring is a good feeling.
Alison
HiAlison,
Yes it is great to get all the new bulbs ready for planting.
Happy Gardening!
Louise