When To Plant Flower Bulbs

When to Plant Flower Bulbs

True bulbs have a rounded, pointed top, with a flat base where the root grow, e.g. Allium, Anemone, Bluebell, Daffodil, Hyacinth, Snowdrop, Lily, Tulip.

• Most flower bulbs are planted dry in Autumn, and some species also when in growth in early Spring.

There are Corms (Crocus, Gladioli), Tubers (tender Dahlias, hardy Cyclamen or Aconite), and Rhizomes (Bearded Irises, Lily-of-the-valley, Cannas), which are planted at various times.

Autumn

• Plant early Spring-flowering bulbs (Daffodil, Crocus, Hyacinth), as well as Cyclamen, early in the Autumn planting season, during September
• Plant tough summer-flowering bulbs (Lilies, Allium, Crocosmia) anytime in September to early November
• Planting Tulips in November is traditional because there is less risk of disease. But disease is not a common issue for home gardeners, so anytime from September to early-December is usually fine. 

Spring

• Plant tender summer-flowering bulbs like Gladioli in early spring
• and in the green bulbs (mainly Snowdrops and Bluebells)

Summer

• Plant Autumn-Winter-flowering bulbs (Nerines, Colchicums) between late spring and summer (June-August).
• Plant Dahlia tubers out into warm soil when frost has passed, from mid-April or May depending where you are in the UK

Always try to plant bulbs as soon as possible after purchase for best results

• If you miss the ideal planting window, plant your bulbs as soon as possible anyway, discarding bad ones
• They may not flower hard in the first year, but should settle in and improve
• Feed with balanced fertilizer when they are in growth to help them along