It’s hard to beat the anticipation and excitement of the spring-time garden. The earliest shoots will burst through the winter gloom and herald the start of the season, beginning a tandem of colour and fragrance. With a little planning, you can enjoy all of this with low-maintenance flowering bulbs that return year after year. By following a few simple steps and choosing the right varieties, you can enjoy many years of fabulous, low maintenance floral displays.
Tips & Advice
Here are a few things to keep in mind with flowering bulbs:
Consider your planting space: Is it sunny or shady? Is the soil heavy or stony? Keeping these requirements in mind will help you choose varieties that thrive.
Follow the guidance on the bulb packet: Following recommended planting depths, soil and sunlight requirements will ensure they flourish.
Leave the foliage after flowering: Leave the leaves on for at least six weeks after flowering so the bulbs can store energy for next year.
Our favourite flowering bulbs for effortless displays
Plant a drift of daffodils, a cluster of crocuses or a tapestry of tulips. Whatever you decide, these varieties will illuminate beds and borders, captivate in containers and create lustrous, low maintenance spaces through lawns and gravel pathways. Here are our top picks:
Daffodils
Flowering time: February, March, April, May Soil: Moist but free draining Sunlight: Full sun, dappled shade
A drift of daffodils is an incredible sight and it is virtually effortless to achieve. With a vast array to choose from, they will reliably return for many years. With beautiful nodding heads and subtle fragrance, we love the dwarf blooms on ‘Tête-à-tête’, the vibrancy of ‘February Gold’ and the soft hues of ‘Ice Follies’.
Flowering time: February, March Soil: Gritty, moderately fertile soil Sunlight: Full sun, dappled shade
An early spring-flowering favourite, you can’t go wrong with the charm of a crocus. Available in classic purple, exotic orange, brilliant white and much more, they will effortlessly multiply, adding colour to shadier spaces.
Flowering time: February, March Soil: Moist but free draining Sunlight: Full sun
Early flowering Iris Reticulata varieties are some of the most popular and it’s easy to see why. With curved petals and wonderful colouring, it has an exotic feel, while being surprisingly robust and returning year after year. Iris ‘Katharine Hodgkin’ and Iris ‘Gordon’ are two striking varieties to look for.
Flowering time: March, April, May Soil: Moist but free draining Sunlight: Full sun
With an incredible exotic appearance and a magnificent perfume, Hyacinths are surprisingly low maintenance and reliable to grow. They will return year after year in your garden and make an exquisite cut flower to admire around the home. We love Hyacinth ‘Jan Bos’ and Hyacinth ‘Gipsy Queen’.
Flowering time: March, April, May Soil: Moist but free draining Sunlight: Full sun
A springtime favourite, Tulips can be used to create an effortless carpet of colour. The showy hybrid varieties tend to annual in nature, but there are many that will return and spread colour for years to come. Tulip ‘Sylvestris’, ‘Little Princess’ and ‘Lilac Wonder’ are all examples of low maintenance, naturalising tulips.
Flowering time: May, June Soil: Nutrient-rich, moist but free draining Sunlight: Full sun
Magnificent when in full flower in spring, the dried seed heads continue to add structure and interest well into the summer. Easy to grow, returning year after year, they are available in a surprising array of colours. We love Allium ‘Red Mohican’ and Allium ‘Graceful Beauty’.
