How to Choose Spring Flowering Bulbs

When it comes to choosing your spring flowering bulbs there are a few considerations we think are useful to run through beforehand, all helping to achieve a successful and wonderfully colourful spring display. Fundamentally the most important aspect is the quality of the bulbs, and naturally you will want the highest quality to produce the strongest plants and best displays. Then the planting itself is a big consideration; will you plant in the lawn, in pots, or in your beds and borders? Will they be on their own or amongst other flowers and shrubs? Most bulbs are just as fine in beds and borders as pots and containers, though some are more suited to naturalising in a lawn, for instance.

We’ll take you through some top tips and questions to consider so you can create a fantastic display in your own garden.

Choosing Good Quality Bulbs in Packs or Loose

When they are available the earlier you buy bulbs the fresher they’ll be and there will be a greater selection to choose from. Size also matters in the bulb world, as top-grade bulbs are larger and will produce better blooms overall.

When it comes to buying quality bulbs in packs, the packaging will tell you they are from a cultivated stock. This means that they’re of a high quality and are true to type, offering some peace of mind. If you can’t see them in the packet, give them a gentle squeeze to make sure they are firm, and if you can see them visually check to ensure there is no mould showing.

When it comes to choosing loose bulbs, you want to look for nice large bulbs that should feel quite firm showing they haven’t been exposed to any moisture, with a kind of a crispy exterior. Avoid small shrivelled or mouldy looking bulbs and those that show any evidence of having been attacked by small flies.

Avoid buying bulbs if they have started to sprout unless you can get them home and plant quickly.

Consider Where You Want to Plant Them

Where you want to plant the bulbs may better inform what bulbs you go with.

For instance, if you would like bulbs to naturalise in a lawn, then daffodils, snowdrops and crocus are great choices. They will naturalise well and will spread in time.

Similarly, if you are adding to an established planting scheme in a border and would like something small to go in front and not block what’s behind, then again snowdrops and crocus are good choices as well as dwarf daffodil, tulip and anemone varieties, for example.

If you want height then there are giant allium varieties, as well as tall daffodil and hyacinth varieties, for instance.

If you are looking to add some colour to a partly shaded area then British bluebells, crocus, anemones, and snowdrops are good choices.  

A Burst or a Succession of Colour?

You can plant the same variety of spring bulbs for a lot of colour bursting through at once or you can plant different types of bulbs for a succession of colour throughout spring. For instance, snowdrops or crocus can come up first, followed closely by some daffodils, and early tulips, then hyacinths, later daffodils and tulips, and finally alliums. With so many varieties of each available the colours can be quite varied and spectacular all the way from late winter to early summer. What a wonderful sight that would be!

Spring Flowering Bulb Ideas

Here are some ideas for bulb choices, though these are just some from hundreds of available varieties!

Daffodils (Narcissus)

Daffodils are a spring essential that should not be overlooked.  They are easy to grow, reliable and make a splendid sight. An informal mixed display of daffodils looks particularly good in clumps. And, given the sheer number of daffodil varieties you can plant for a succession of these different types, creating a display of different colours and petal shapes through the season. You could choose, for example, Golden Harvest or Ice Follies for an early flush followed by Golden Ducat for the mid-season and perhaps White Lion for later flowering. Miniature or dwarf daffodils are also very appealing with their dainty flowers. Tete a Tete (20cm yellow) are probably the best known but there are many others to choose from.

Tulips and Fritillary

Tulips are fantastic and you do not have to stick to yellow, pink or red. The Snakeshead Fritillaria have been popular for some years and rightly so. Their stately relative is the Fritillaria Imperialis which is a magnificent plant. It has a crown of flowers borne on tall stems. The flowers literally ooze with nectar and make a splendid sight in the border. There are bright yellow varieties to make a vibrant splash, but also more a more subtle red hue of Fritillaria Imperialis “Rubra”.

Alliums

Alliums are something else entirely, from the dwarf to the giant they are elegant, structural and very in vogue. They have been ubiquitous at the Chelsea Flower Show for several years and for very good reason. They are easy to grow, the flowers last for ages and afterwards the seed heads are also very attractive. The Allium Ostara Deep Red is a stunning choice, perfect for planting alongside other types of alliums. The wonderful deep purple hue of the up to 40cm tall flower add an impressive an eye-catching element to your garden. A sophisticated choice for any garden!

Now Go Get Some Bulbs!

Now that you know a bit more about choosing spring flowering bulbs, you’ll be able to pick the best available and plan ahead for an abundance of wonderful early colour in the garden after the dark winter months. A final tip: the key to a successful spring display is to banish all thoughts of trendy minimalism and go for something of a splash. Bulbs look best planted in generous clumps rather than dotted around and you do need quite a few for a meaningful display.