{"id":613786747206,"date":"2025-10-16T16:41:49","date_gmt":"2025-10-16T16:41:49","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/blogs.ashridgetrees.co.uk\/blogs\/uncategorized\/lifting-storing-flower-bulbs-after-flowering\/"},"modified":"2026-04-21T08:40:59","modified_gmt":"2026-04-21T08:40:59","slug":"lifting-storing-flower-bulbs-after-flowering","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/blogs.ashridgetrees.co.uk\/blogs\/bulbs\/lifting-storing-flower-bulbs-after-flowering\/","title":{"rendered":"Lifting and Storing Garden Bulbs Over Summer"},"content":{"rendered":"

Traditionally, many spring flowering bulbs<\/a>, especially Tulips<\/a>, were lifted (dug up) after flowering every year, stored over Summer when they are dormant, and replanted in Autumn to encourage better flowering the following year, and to protect them from pests.<\/p>

But that received wisdom is not always worth applying to all your bulbs: it depends what you are growing, and where.<\/p>

\"Dry<\/figure>

Do All Bulbs Need to Be Lifted and Stored?<\/h2>

Digging up and replanting bulbs is a chore, so is it really necessary? Not always! <\/p>

Many bulbs are bred to survive and naturalise in grass and borders.
Examples include most alliums<\/a> and daffodils<\/a>, but even tulips have varieties that are recommended for naturalising like Negrita<\/a>, Ballerina<\/a>, Golden Apeldoorn<\/a> and Spring Green (or save time and get our ready-made Naturalising Tulip Mix<\/a>).<\/p>

Fertilise your bulbs if you don\u2019t lift them<\/h4>

Rather than lifting them, you can give bulbs high potash, low nitrogen feed as they flower (nitrogen would just benefit the surrounding grass), then a final feed right as the leaves yellow and wilt.
The extra nutrients should provide the oomph <\/em>for next year\u2019s flowers.<\/p>

Let the leaves die back naturally <\/h4>

The other key is to leave their foliage intact for at least six weeks after flowering (ideally until it completely withers, but six weeks will do \u2013 in many cases, it will be withering by then anyway) so that their nutrients all get drawn down into the bulb, ready for next year.<\/p>

Protect bulbs from digging animals<\/h4>

If you are blessed with wonderful forest creatures like badgers, squirrels and mice visiting your garden to eat all your precious bulbs (on a quiet day, you can hear them laughing all the way back to their den), cover the area with chicken wire to keep the worst of them out. The bulbs\u2019 stalks and leaves will grow through it.<\/p>

\"Mouse<\/figure>

Voles are another matter, and chicken wire won\u2019t do much. They hate the smell of Camphor Oil, but you need to reapply it a few times a year as the rain washes it away \u2013 maybe worth a try, but not a great solution in our opinion.<\/p>

Which Bulbs Should You Lift and Store?<\/h2>

Tulips<\/h3>

Most Tulips (excluding the Naturalising Tulip Mix<\/a> varieties) won\u2019t re-flower well unless you lift them, remove the baby bulbs (offsets), then store them and replant in October \/ November.
If you leave the offsets in the ground, they will only make lots of leaves and compete with their mother bulbs, resulting in a sparse flower display. <\/p>

Dahlia Tubers<\/h3>

Dahlia tubers<\/a> are tender and may not always survive the Winter outdoors; read our guide on digging up & storing Dahlia tubers overwinter<\/a>.<\/p>

Other Bulbs: Only Lift These If\u2026<\/h3>

These are the common reasons for putting in the extra work of lifting and storing your garden bulbs after flowering, before re-planting them in Autumn.<\/p>

If your bulbs:<\/p>