Bulbs

How to choose the best bulbs

Bulbs come in all shapes and sizes and burst out of the ground in spring, summer, autumn and winter, depending on which you choose. Amaryllis and hyacinths are beautiful indoors at Christmas while spring-flowering bulbs like daffodils and tulips are the heralds of warmer weather. Bulbs are easy to plant and, if you choose carefully, you can have something in bloom every month from late winter through to autumn. See our bulb FAQs (below) to help you choose the right one.

Which bulbs should I plant in autumn?

Plant spring-flowering bulbs like narcissus (daffodils), crocus and tulips in autumn to allow them to produce healthy roots over the winter months. These established roots then support healthy, strong shoots in spring. Some bulbs, like tulips, need to be exposed to cold temperatures over winter to flower properly in spring.

Which bulbs multiply?

The best bulbs for naturalising in the garden are ones that multiply. These bulbs will gradually spread and form larger clumps over the years. Snowdrops (galanthus), native daffodils and autumn-flowering nerines all produce small bulbils or offsets that in turn grow into bulbs in their own right.

When do bulbs flower?

Bulbs flower at different times of the year depending on the variety you plant. Broadly bulbs are split into two types: summer-flowering bulbs like gladioli, lilies and dahlias; and spring-flowering bulbs like daffodils, snowdrops and tulips. There are also a few autumn-flowering bulbs like crocus sativus (saffron) and nerines.