Spring Flowering Bulbs: plant in Autumn September-November
Spring Flowering Bulbs
Many plants grow from a bulb, tuber or corn which grows underground and sends up shoots and flowers in the growing season before dying back. Most are hardy and can remain in the ground. As a general guide, bulbs should be planted 2-3 times the depth of the bulb. If the soil is heavy, add sand and or grit into the hole so the bulbs sits on this.
Alliums have a globe-shaped head of masses of small flowers. As the flowers come out, the leaves die back.. don’t worry about that. Plant in a sunny position. They are good between other plants which help to hold them up.
Bluebells are a classic sight in British woodland, They thrive in damp, shady areas. They can be invasive so best planted in rough, marginal and more wooded areas and not in your main gardening areas.
Crocus ???? Purple, yellow, cream and look spectacular planted en masse. You can plant them in grass but you need to let the foliage die back in spring after flowering before mowing the grass. Plant them as early as possible (August-September).
Daffodils Yellow or white, these are the sign that spring has sprung. Can be planted in September to November and can be planted in grass, but don’t mow down the old leaves until they begin to die back… as they are building up energy for the following year’s flowering.
Dwarf Narcissus smaller growing than the above, more suited to containers. The most popular is ‘Tete a Tete’ with masses of bright yellow flowers. Should come up each year.
Snowdrops ???? are one of the earliest spring bulbs to flower, so like Crocus, get them in as early as possible.
- They’ll grow in woodland or borders and should gradually increase the clump size year on year.
- You can dig up and split clumps in spring.
Tulips There are dozens of colours and varieties to choose from, best planted in October and November.
Only the small ones come up year after year. The large ones tend not to come up in year two.
Lillies are often forced into flower early but in the garden they mostly flower in summer. As long as the soil is well drained, they should come up year after year. Some are scented.
Plant the early flowering ones as early as possible, in August and September: Crocus, snowdrops, bluebells etc.
Plant tulips and daffodils are best planted a little later in the Autumn. Keep them bagged in a cool dry place till later in the Autumn.
There are two kinds of Hyacinth:
Hyacinths (for planting in the garden)
- Instantly recognisable, with scented flower spikes, planted in the garden they'll flower in late Spring and should come up year after year.
- Plant them about 15cm deep in full sun or light shade, in any well-drained soil.
- Take care handling the bulbs as they can cause skin irritation. Best to wear gloves.
- Colours: purple, red, pink, yellow and white.
Hyacinths (prepared) for bowls indoors for Christmas
Prepared Hyacinths are heat treated to grow early providing fragrant Christmas or new year flowers in bowls.
- You'll need a container and some bulb fibre and 3-5 bulbs per bowl (more for a large one)
- The top of the bulbs should just show at the compost surface.
- Hyacinth Bulbs need a cold dark period, preferably around 9°C, in a shed, garage or cellar for up to 10 weeks.
- Cover the pots with black bin liners to stop light getting through and check them regularly, watering them sparingly if the compost feels dry.
- Once shoots have appeared a few inches above the compost surface, bring them indoors and place in a bright, cool position.
- Do not let them get too warm or they will stretch.
- Water as needed and they should start flowering within 3 weeks.
- You can hold them back outdoors if they come on too quickly.
