Spring in sight

Flower bulbs aren’t just a feast for the eyes. They also make the coming of spring even more tantalising. The various kinds: snowdrops (Galanthus), crocuses (Crocus), daffodils (Narcissus), tulips (Tulipa) and hyacinths (Hyacinthus) and many more, will make the whole garden sparkle. They are truly the sign that spring is coming. What a great feeling after all that winter cold! You can get flower bulbs of all kinds and sizes, so you’re sure to find exactly what you want.

When does each one flower?

A garden will really look its best when it has a whole series of different flower bulbs opening up one after another. This way, you can have months of colour in the garden starting in January and lasting until the perennials take over. But when does each flower bulb bloom? Here are the flowering periods of the most familiar flower bulbs.

• Snowdrop (Galanthus) – January & February
• Winter aconite (Eranthis) – January & February
• Crocus (Crocus) – February & March
• Spring snowflake (Leucojum vernum) – end of February & into March
• Daffodil (Narcissus) – March & April
• Siberian squill (Scilla) – March & April
• Hyacinth (Hyacinthus) – April
• Grape hyacinth (Muscari) – April
• Chequered fritillary (Fritillaria) – April & May
• Tulip (Tulipa) – April & May
• Summer snowflake (Leucojum aestivum) – April & May
• Lily-of-the-Valley (Convallaria) – May
• Bluebell (Hyacinthoïdes) – May & June
• Ornamental onion (Allium) – May, June & July

How to plant flower bulbs

Spring-flowering bulbs can be planted from September to December before freezing temperatures really set in. To plant your flower bulbs, follow these five steps.

1. Loosen the soil with a spade at the place where you want to plant the flower bulbs. This makes the soil easier to work with.
2. When flower bulbs are not being planted in an existing border, it might be advisable to amend the soil with some organic material such as compost.
3. Dig a hole with a trowel or bulb planter and plant the flower bulbs in it with their points facing up and their roots facing down.
4. Make sure that the bulbs are planted at a depth three times the height of the bulb itself. (A daffodil bulb of 5 centimetres tall should thus be planted at a depth of 15 centimetres.)
5. Fill the hole with the previously removed soil and tamp the surface gently.

Tips

• Use a plant marker or something similar to indicate the spot where you planted the flower bulbs.
• You can also plant flower bulbs in pots and containers.
• Varying the flowering heights will produce absolutely stunning effects.