Don't miss our tips on ordering and planting your favourite bulbs from autumn until January
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| Buy tulips in October while there's still a wide choice
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'Aim to get all daffodils planted by the end of October. Any well-drained soil will do in full sun or light shade.'
Bulb suppliers
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| Prepare for pots of bulbs
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Avon Bulbs
Bloms Bulbs
Heritage Bulbs
Jacques Amand
Miniature Bulbs
Wild About Bulbs
Not all bulbs need to be planted right now, but if you have a particular combination in mind, buy early while there is still the best choice in the garden centres. Many bulbs can be planted into pots of multi-purpose compost, as well as into the ground, so even the smallest of gardens can be filled with spring colour from early spring to summer.
Alliums
Alliums are ideal plants for late-spring colour in borders. May is the peak time for most alliums, when there is already plenty of interest in the borders to complement their neat purple globes rising on tall stems. They are best planted where other foliage can cover the fading leaves, either direct into the soil or in pots that are plunged for the season.
October: Plant all varieties outdoors by the end of the month. Cover with soil to three times the height of the bulb and space 15-30cm
(6-12in) apart, depending on the bulb size, in well-drained soil and full sun.
November: Keep in a frost-free spot such as an insulated cold frame or unheated greenhouse to overwinter if the ground is not ready. Plant out or plunge pots in spring.
January: Apply grit or pellets to prevent slug damage to emerging shoots.
Daffodils
Whether using large or small varieties, there are many opportunities of brightening a spring garden with daffodils. Early-flowering dwarf forms can be planted in window boxes, or other containers, around the garden – especially as an underplanting to evergreens. They sit well between deciduous shrubs or tucked between later-flowering perennials. Larger forms can be planted under trees or large shrubs, or naturalised in longer grass. Space bulbs close together for clusters below trees, or scatter them to look like they have grown naturally, in long grass for instance.
Dwarf daffodils
October: Aim to get all varieties planted by the end of October. Cover with soil or compost to twice the height of the bulb and space 5cm (2in) apart in any well-drained soil. Position in full sun or light shade. They can be grown together in pots or in groups to brighten winter bedding in any size pot.
November: Keep pots of dwarf varieties in a cool (frost free) place outdoors.
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| Taller daffodils work well in clusters
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Tall daffodils
October: The time and depth of planting is the same as for dwarf daffs (above). Plant in groups in borders, or scatter them at random in long grass for a more natural look. Space bulbs 10cm (4in) apart. A long-handled bulb planter is useful for planting in grass.
Dwarf iris
The short, bulbous varieties of iris provide early colour in pots or rockeries. They associate well in containers with other small bulbs, such as crocus and dwarf daffodils, or teamed alongside spring-bedding plants like pansies or bright polyanthus. These bulbs require a sunny site and well-drained soil so they are ideally suited to rockeries where they won't be swamped by spring alpines.
October: Plant outdoors by the end of the month. Plant 8cm/3in deep and 10cm/4in apart in well-drained soil and full sun. Plant in pots using a peat or soil based multipurpse compost.
November: Dress the rockery or pot with a mulch of fine gravel.
January: Protect from birds with sticks and a cotton line.
Fritillary (snakeshead)
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| Snakeshead fritillary
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The snakeshead fritillary (
Fritillaria meleagris) is ideal for growing in long grass in drifts. Fritillaries have no protective tunic, so they dry out sooner than most bulbs. The secret of success is to plant bulbs that are still plump and white. Aim to plant by September to early October
in moist soil. Plant small varieties 13cm (5in) deep and 15cm (6in) apart.
September to early October: Plant bulbs in moist soil. Plant small varieties 13cm (5in) deep and 15cm (6in) apart.
Spring-flowering crocus
Spring-flowering crocus are ideal for early colour in pots or rockeries.
October: Plant outdoors (between September and November) 8cm (3in) deep and 10cm (4in) apart in well-drained soil in sun or light shade. Naturalise in grass or plant in clumps. Plant in pots with multi-purpose compost, but at closer spacings.
November: Continue outdoor planting. Keep pots in a sheltered spot and check the compost is not too wet. Raise pots on feet to improve drainage.
December: Use pellets or grit to prevent slug damage to new shoots.
January: Protect emerging shoots from birds pulling at them.
Lilies
Flamboyant blooms and heady fragrance make lilies a must for summer. They can be planted direct, if the soil is well drained, or planted in pots which are then plunged into the border to fill any summer gaps. Taller forms may need staking. Lilies also make ideal fragrant plants for the patio if they are planted into deep pots in compost with good drainage. They can then be moved into view when they are at their most dazzling.
October: Early autumn is the best time to plant. Lilies are quite fussy about soil, so it is easiest to grow them in deep containers using John Innes No 2 or John Innes ericaceous (lime-free) compost. Grit can be added to ensure drainage is good. Plant single bulbs in 20cm (8in) pots, or three in a 23-25cm (9-10in) pot.
Plant stem-rooting types e.g. Lilium longiflorum and
L. speciosum 15-20cm (6-8in) deep. Plant base-rooting types e.g. L. candidum and L. martagon 5cm (2in) deep. Space bulbs 5cm (2in) apart in pots.
November: Keep container-grown lilies in a well-lit position that is cool but frost-free, such as a cold greenhouse.
Check regularly for signs of pest activity. Ants and wood lice may damage roots as they tunnel through the compost.
December: Keep the compost moist but never wet. Look out for squirrels digging up bulbs. Replant and cover compost with chicken wire.
January: Continue to check that compost is moist, and for signs of pest damage.
Tulips
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| Tulipa 'Queen of Night'
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With a huge variety of colours and flower types there are tulips to suit all styles of garden from cottage to formal. They prefer a well-drained soil and a spell of summer heat to ensure flowering the following spring, so plant in full sun for years of colour. If your garden conditions don't suit, treat them as annuals in borders, or in pots. Discard after flowering and order new bulbs each autumn.
October: Buy now while there is still a wide choice. Store in a cool, dry place until ready to plant.
November: Start planting outdoors this month in well-drained soil and full sun. Any earlier and shoot tips may be damaged by frost. Plant 10-20cm (4-8in) deep and 10-20cm (4-8in) apart, depending on size. If squirrels are a problem, plant the bulbs in an aquatic basket in the border then cover the ground with a layer of gravel. Plant in large pots at the same depth.
December: Continue planting this month, weather permitting. Keep pots of bulbs in a frost-free area. Use a layer of grit on the compost to deter squirrels.
January: Keep pots of bulbs in a frost-free area.
*For more on bulbs, see Related Articles at the bottom of this page.
denotes Subscriber-only content | Thursday 21 August 2008 | Help | Glossary 
