It’s time to pick your flower bulbs. Make sure you purchase them early so that you can plant them in time. Flower bulbs should only be planted at 2 specific times (in the autumn or after Ice Saints) to allow them to bloom at the right time. If you plant bulbs at the wrong time, you probably won't see any flowers that year.
Why plant at the right time?
This has everything to do with temperature. Many bulbs need a cold period to start with, so they can flower later on. Other bulbs most definitely can’t tolerate frost and won’t bloom at all if exposed to icy temperatures. These bulbs or tubers will die in the ground if it gets too cold.
How do you pick the right bulb?
Before you go and order bulbs, it’s good to think about which bulbs are right for your garden.
Ask yourself the following questions:
- What do I like? - This is of course one of the most important questions. What do you want to look at all day? It should make you happy. Also, make sure to pick a variety that attracts bees, bumblebees, or butterflies, so your garden makes the bugs happy as well.
- Where do I want to plant the flower bulbs in the garden? - In the grass or the borders? Pick small bulbs for in the grass and plant larger bulbs in between your permanent plants.
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- Do the flower bulbs go in pots or in the garden? If the bulbs are planted in pots, you can try the flower bulb lasagna strategy. This is very easy and you’ll have pots filled with colour for several months in a row.
- When exactly do you want blooming flowers in the garden? Have a look at the spring and summer flowering bulbs below to see the difference.
Did you know that not all bulbs are available at all times? You can order all bulbs in advance so that you have them in time for the planting season.
Spring flowering bulbs
The early flowering bulbs can be planted when autumn is approaching. These flower bulbs need to go through a period of cold before they can flower. The bulbs should be planted in the period from September to December. They’re only available during this period. Once you’ve received the bulbs, it’s best to plant them within a week. If you don't have time, put them in a dark and cool place until you can plant them.
Spring flowering bulbs include the well-known:
- Ornamental look (Allium)
- Crocus
- Camassia
- Grape hyacinths (muscari)
- Narcissus
- Tulip
- Fritillaria
- Hyacinth
- Iris
- Glore of the snow (Chionodoxa)
- Ornithogalum
Always choose an early flowering, sustainable variety, such as the sustainably grown crocus, hyacinths, scilla, and early tulips. They flower very early, so they can offer the bumblebees and bees some nectar and pollen after the cold winter. Have a look to see the range of spring flowering bulbs.
Summer flowering bulbs
After the spring, of course, there are the summer flowering bulbs. We should certainly not forget these. These gems don't like the cold. Make sure to only plant them after the frost season has ended (after Ice Saints). This is usually from mid-May, but just keep an eye on the weather forecast. Summer flowering bulbs include:
- Dahlias
- Gladiolus
- Edible tubers
- Fruit shrubs
- Wood sorrel (oxalis)
Have a look at our full range of summer flowering bulbs here. Summer flowering bulbs are shipped in the spring from mid-March to the end of May.
Make sure you get these bulbs and tubers out of the ground before the first frost arrives. This is called grubbing. In these tips
you’ll find more information about grubbing, for example, dahlias.