Spring bulbs are one of gardening's great joys — plant them in autumn, forget about them, and they reliably produce one of the most spectacular floral displays of the year.
Planting Times
Planting Depth
The general rule: plant bulbs at 2–3× their height. A 5 cm daffodil bulb goes in 10–15 cm deep. Depth provides stability and protection from frost.
Drainage
Bulbs hate sitting in waterlogged soil — they'll rot. If your soil is heavy clay, add grit to the planting hole or plant in raised beds. Tulips especially need good drainage.
How to Plant
In borders: use a bulb planter or trowel. Plant in informal groups of 5–10 for a natural look rather than straight rows.
In containers: layer bulbs for a "lasagne" planting — tulips at the bottom, daffodils in the middle, grape hyacinths or crocus at the top. All will emerge at slightly different times.
After Flowering
Allow foliage to die back naturally — 6 weeks after flowering. Leaves are feeding next year's bulb. Don't cut them while still green.
Deadhead the flowers but leave the stem until the leaves are gone. Tulips can be lifted after foliage dies and stored dry; most other bulbs can be left in the ground year after year.
