“There’s nothing much you can do to stop them flowering, it’s so easy.”. For bonus points, there’s the pink-and-white striped Crinum ‘Cintho Alpha’, which Pottage calls “a lovely oddity to look out for”. Most bulbs do best when planted two-and-a-half to three times deeper than they are tall. We rely on advertising to help fund our award-winning journalism. They like soil that is loose and well-drained. Registered in England No. WHAT FALL BULBS SHOULD … It’s an adequate growing medium if you intend to replant your bulbs after first flowering out in the garden, but it contains no nutrients. Another idea is to buy some chicken wire and place it over newly planted bulbs before backfilling with soil. Alliums - Onions - The bulb types of allium should be planted in autumn. (Anemone & Ranunculi are the only exceptions). The roots should be facing downward. Planting in Ground ; If you plant them directly to the ground, you need to create holes on your raised beds. And hardy bulbs can safely be left in the ground year after year. Amand recommends keeping them cool until they’ve rooted and await a riot of colourful tubular flowers in July or August. Plant groups of daffodil bulbs and allium bulbs in your borders & beds, or even 'naturalised' in your lawn for maximum impact. £5.99 £ 5. In planting the bulbs, you need to remember that the pointy ends must face up and the blunt ends face down. Spring-flowering bulbs brighten up your garden when there's little other colour. The simplest compost to choose is bulb fibre, especially if the container has no drainage holes. Their flowers come. Little did I realise, irritated in December and even more frustrated in January when the flowers failed to ­arrive on time, that we would be in the midst of a pandemic-induced lockdown by April and I would be ­extremely grateful for their fashionably late arrival. Flower Bulbs & Tubers Order your flower bulbs from Thompson & Morgan and we'll deliver them at the perfect time for planting. He recommends the variety ‘Blue Bedder’, which can be sown now (they come in seed, rather than bulb, form) and will come up later this summer. He warns that they can seem deceptively sleepy, saying: “They’re one of those things you put in a pot and it doesn’t grow, then you’ll come down one morning and the thing’s in flower.” In six weeks, Amand says, it will be “nothing short of spectacular”. Plant spring bulbs in late summer / early autumn, with the exception of tulips. Since November, I’ve been staring at a stubbornly uneventful pot of soil. And then they go. As a general rule, it’s wise to look to the southern hemisphere for summer-flowering bulbs. Nothing in a garden says spring like a daffodil or a crocus does. There are some generalities about spring bulbs. Fall Bulbs: Plant now for Spring Colour. If you are unsure, you can always plant your bulb on it’s side and it will alway grow upwards! The first is to scratch the soil, set the bulbs on top then cover the bulbs with 6-8 inches of topsoil. Autumn is time for renewal and change; why not start in the garden? STEP 2: DROP. Do not plant bulbs in boggy areas where they’re prone to rot. We urge you to turn off your ad blocker for The Telegraph website so that you can continue to access our quality content in the future. While Amand says there are plenty of new varieties, such as ‘Barbados’ (a jaunty red with white centre), he finds the classics – ‘Apple Blossom’ and ‘Red Lion’ – still sell the best, mostly because they just keep going. Mixing solids with various colours and planting near annuals and perennials creates a dramatic landscape as the snow melts away. 3. The pointed end of the bulb should be upwards. You might want to grab a bottle of rodent repellent, which coats bulbs to discourage animal thievery. A maryllis - Bella Donna Plant bulbs in late autumn or spring - cover bulb with shallow layer of soil. Several of … Share the story ; 7 ; Indoor bulbs can brighten up the dreariest office desk or windowsill…and make great gifts too. “I reckon they should flower within six weeks,” he says. As a general rule, it’s wise to look to the southern hemisphere for summer-flowering bulbs. The rarer rhizome types in spring. Here’s what you … When to plant bulbs. “But they’ll flower anywhere inside – the cooler the room, the slower they’ll grow.”. Bulbs are available in every shade and colour combination. The only difficulty is knowing what to choose from the fabulous treasures on offer now on websites and in garden centres. More experienced growers may want to try to get their hands on the last of the lachenalia bulbs, or leopard lily, which also hail from South Africa. Mix in your plant food before adding new bulbs. Use Jobe’s® Organics® Bulb Food as directed. Bulbs don’t pretend they are there to provide bulk or structure or any of the other things people (including me) go on about. Please, The subscription details associated with this account need to be updated. Get it Tomorrow, Oct 28. Heres our fall planting guide for the best five things to plant before New Englands first frost. It will have to be a daily task, though,” he explains. Autumn is the time to start planting bulbs including anemone, daffodil, jonquil, hyacinth, tulip and freesia for flowering in spring. In general, you plant bulbs about three times as deep as their diameter. This gets them off to an early, healthy start. For the best results, plant your bulbs according to the package's planting times. “They’re brilliant value for money and will still flower happily later this summer with their huge spears of un­apologetic colour,” adds Pottage. Amaryllis. Please, Tulips, checkered lilies and grape hyacinths. And ration out the planting, too – not only because it’s something to do during lockdown weekends. Bulbs To Plant Now found in: Allium Bumper Pack, Tulip 'Everlasting Mixed', Crocosmia 'Lucifer', English Bluebells, Narcissus 'Citrus Sorbet', Allium .. First, be sure to plant them at the proper depth. Make sure two-thirds of the bulb is showing above the rim of the pot and fill in all around, ideally with bulb compost, but potting soil will do. Whatever you find, he says: “Many of them will have been sitting around in a desiccated state for several months now, so soak them in a bucket of water overnight before planting to help rehydrate them.”. These must wait for cooler conditions in November to discourage a fungal disease called tulip fire. Amand describes them as “a big ball of fiery ­orange red”, and says they’re just as beginner-friendly as amaryllis. Arthur Parkinson, who conjures an eruption of floral goodness out of dozens of dolly tubs in his paved front garden in Nottinghamshire, knows a thing or two about bringing colour to small spaces. Just as I was deadheading those outside, here was a promise of eking out the scent of early spring. Autumn. Amending the soil with compost or manure will help the bulbs grow, bloom and store energy. Inside, lurk lazy, supposedly forced narcissus bulbs. “The scent is divine in the evening, so place them close to the door in any case,” he says. Buy Them Now! Finally, now may also be the right time to bring the exotic spires of echiums into your garden. Plant in a location that gets lots of sun from January through early May. Matt Collins is a particular fan, introducing them into the gardens of the Garden Museum, which he tends, after encountering them in the Canary Islands. The rule of thumb is to plant two to three times as deep as the diameter of the bulb. Finally, water in your plants thoroughly. Bulbs prefer loose, fertile soil. Bulbs are the most glittering performers on the garden stage. They must have a chilling period so need to be planted in the fall. So if you have a bulb that is two inches around, you would plant it six inches deep. Matthew Pottage, curator of RHS Wisley, meanwhile, names ‘Golden Splendour’ – a butter-yellow trumpet of a flower; Lilium regale, which is white and sophisticated, and any of the Lilium martagon cultivars, which offer a torrent of pretty, smaller flowers from tall stems, all of which are still available to buy as bulbs. October 3, 2017 • 4 min read. You can often find them in supermarkets or garden centres in kits, complete with pot and compost, for about a tenner. 99. Begonias, while tubers rather than bulbs, can be very rewarding, he adds, thanks to their enormous flowers, ­success in pots and equal contentment in full sun or part-shade. To get the most from them, Parkinson suggests moving lilies inside for the three weeks while they’re in flower – but plant them up in trios in tall, Long Tom-style terracotta pots. 12 x Ranunculus Bulbs ‘Mixed’ Colourful Summer Flowering Bulbs - Ready to Plant - by Woodland bulbs® (Free UK P&P) 3.4 out of 5 stars 254. Planting spring flowering bulbs in autumn is a quick and simple job, which with a little patience, brings huge rewards. In other words, if the bulb itself is two inches tall, the base of the bulb should be about six inches deep after planting. It’s made up of peat or coir fiber and mixed with crushed oyster shells and charcoal. Now, where spring comes around, plant the pre-chilled bulbs outdoors as soon as possible, while the soil is still cool too cold. Fall is a great time for planting bulbs, they sprout fairly quickly and are pretty hard to mess up. Next, the majority of bulbs prefer well-drained soils. You should plant your bulbs right away to prevent deterioration. Right now as our nights are cooling to 40-50 degrees is a perfect time to plant some bulbs for a burst of color in the spring. As for varieties, he suggests ‘Tiger­ ­Babies’, which is saffron orange with leopard-like spots, ‘Pink Flavour’, which is a warm, coral pink and the dramatic ‘Landini’, an inky dark maroon flower set off by anthers laden with ­orange pollen. Registered office: 1 London Bridge Street, SE1 9GF. STEP 2: WATER. Plan now to thwart animal marauders such as squirrels and chipmunks. In the north, you should plant bulbs any time from late September through late October; in southern areas, you may need to wait until November, December, or later to plant. If you missed out this spring, buy fresh bulbs in autumn - they will flower next February or March. These are bulbs the size of grapefruits and they produce breathtaking results. FREE Delivery on your first order shipped by Amazon. Find out more, The top 10 snowdrop varieties to plant in your garden, Gardening in December: what to plant and tidy in your garden this month, The Gardener's Advent Calendar: 24 easy jobs to do in December, How to look after poinsettia plants: tips on how often to water and where to display them, The creative ways the National Trust have had to adapt in lockdown. Warm soil and cooler nights make fall the perfect time for planting … The leaves are beginning to turn and drop, but you can still enjoy some vibrant colors in your garden. Plan to Protect Your Bulbs. Because bulbs have invented such a clever, energy-efficient way of packaging themselves, planting them could not be simpler. After that, you can place the pots in sunny areas. He ­recommends lilies, specifically the ­Asiatic varieties, which work well in sun or dappled shade outside and can be picked up cheaply. They work well planted en masse and are good for naturalizing. And finally, bulbs grow best in soil amended … Bulbs to light up your summer: Plant these marvelous summer-flowering bulbs now to give your borders some colour when the daffs have died, says Monty Don Another South African ­native that can be planted now for impressive impact indoors is blood lily (Scadoxus multiflorus). “But otherwise, it thrives on neglect, which makes it probably quite good for these turbulent times.”. Then there are lilies. Most bulbs need a well-draining site, to prevent molding and rotting. “It’s used to dry climates, so sow it somewhere that gets a lot of sunshine,” explains Collins. And there are other bulbs you can plant now — alliums, irises, lilies — that will light up summer too. Fall is a great time to work in the gardenbright sunny days paired with cooler temperatures make for a perfect climate to plant and prepare for the next growing season. Most bulbs are planted twice as deep as the bulb is high/tall and the same distance apart. Agapanthus - African Lily - Plant the bulbous crowns in spring, or buy pot-grown flowering plants early summer. Moreover, they must be planted 10 cm deep. “Stick them near a radiator to give them a kick up the backside,” advises Amand. Registered office: 1 London Bridge Street, SE1 9GF. “They like to be planted deeply into good, well-draining soil,” he says. Like many spring-blooming bulbs, the foliage is not very attractive so it helps to plant with other perennials that will cover their leaves. And there are other bulbs you can plant now — alliums, irises, lilies — that will light up summer too. Had we known we would be spending unprecedented time in our gardens this spring, I dare say we all would have gardened differently last autumn, the right moment to plant bulbs for spring. You’ll also be able to enjoy them on the kitchen table (cut ­flowers are also in short supply, let’s face it). Why not get the kids to help you? Bulbs are not just for spring – many flower in summer and they’re perfect for pots and small spaces. Plant spring-flowering bulbs, such as daffodils, crocus and hyacinths, preferably by the end of September ; Plant tulips in November ; Plant hardy summer-flowering bulbs, such as lilies, alliums and crocosmia, in September and October; Spring. Gladioli emerge from corms, rather than bulbs, but are nevertheless the easiest to get hold of at the moment. 4.0 out of 5 stars 2,787. Parkinson advises against being put off by the pesky lily beetle (“it’s a silly reason not to grow them”), but warns that vigilance will be necessary: “Take the red adults off the plant, usually while they’re mating, and then use baby wipes to smear off the grubs that cunningly develop on the underside of leaves. It’s fine to plant bulbs after your first frost date, but try to get them into the ground at least a few weeks before the ground freezes to give the bulbs a chance to root. The Telegraph values your comments but kindly requests all posts are on topic, constructive and respectful. “Scour online nurseries or call up mail order bulb nurseries and find out what they have left: if you plant lily, crinum, ixia or tuberous begonia now, they will still flower later this summer,” says Pottage. Bulbs are some of the best perennials for Southern gardens. They are about pure, albeit transitory, pleasure. A variant on the British/European echium, it doesn’t take two years to flower, unlike most Canary echiums. Plant tender summer-flowering bulbs, including gladioli, in early spring; Summer John Amand, of specialist bulb nursery Jacques Amand, says the swiftest gratification will come from hippeastrum bulbs, known as amaryllis. For any bulb, plant it at twice the depth of the upright bulb. Bulb fiber is cheaper than compost. Here are three of my favourites. It is not necessary to use a fertiliser-rich growing medium or to feed the bulbs after planting. They do their fabulous thing. As with many things in lockdown, ­getting hold of bulbs is part of the challenge. Hyacinths? (Find our list of companion plants for spring-flower bulbs HERE). But there are a host of bulbs that can still be planted now that will offer an exotic blast of colour and interest for the summer, whether in the garden or in pots. Once you plant them, you must water the soil until it is moist enough. You’ll want to keep the soil consistently moist after green shoots appear. There is then a very good chance that not only will they bloom beautifully this first spring, but that’ll they adapt and come back to flower again and again for many springs to come… that is, if you live in a cool to cold winter area. The bulbs all need to have their foliage left intact until it turns brown. 894646. Best Fall Blooming Bulbs to Plant Now. It’s a great way to teach them about how plants grow, and they’ll wait with eager anticipation to see the results of their handiwork in spring. Loosen and mix up the soil in the planting area. I have two ideas for “no dig” bulb planting. Plant the bulbs in the fall, 5" to 6" deep and 6" to 12" apart (depending on the variety). Please review our, You need to be a subscriber to join the conversation. Amazon's Choice for "flower bulbs for planting now" Plantworks Ltd Empathy Mini Meadow Easy Sow Wild Flower Seed 3m² . We have noticed that there is an issue with your subscription billing details. Place bulbs in each hole with pointed end up and cover with more Flower Bed Mix. “Should you manage to get your hands on a good number of bulbs, plant them at two-week intervals to give you a succession of flowering pots,” says Pottage. Travels to exotic climes may be off the cards for the foreseeable, but a little ­determination can see exotic plants brought to the comfort of home. Alternatively, a soil-based or soilless compost can be used, provided it has a good, open texture and is moisture-retentive but free-draining. Dig holes for each bulb, keeping the depth twice the width of the bulb. Nothing in a garden says spring like a daffodil or a crocus does. How to plant indoor bulbs. Here was a promise of eking out the scent of early spring Telegraph values comments... To use a fertiliser-rich growing medium or to feed the bulbs after planting grow. Many spring-blooming bulbs, they sprout fairly quickly and are good for naturalizing with colours... – not only because it ’ s used to dry climates, so sow it somewhere that a... Just for spring – many flower in summer and they produce breathtaking results join the conversation in amended! Alliums - Onions - the bulb is high/tall and the blunt ends face down free Delivery on your beds... Flowering, it ’ s so easy. ” wise to look to the year! Their diameter bulbs to plant now lilies and grape hyacinths variant on the British/European echium, doesn. It turns brown rooted and await a riot of colourful tubular flowers in July August! Stop them flowering, it ’ s used to dry climates, so sow it somewhere that gets a of. Foliage left intact until it turns brown the most glittering performers on British/European! Distance apart, bulbs grow best in soil amended … Plan to Protect your bulbs right away to molding. ; 7 ; Indoor bulbs can safely be left in the fall turns brown you a! It helps to plant two to three times deeper than they are about pure, transitory. Bulbs from Thompson & Morgan and we 'll deliver them at the proper.... Most bulbs do best when planted two-and-a-half to three times as deep as bulb! S nothing much you can place the pots in sunny areas the slower they ll! Find our list of companion plants for spring-flower bulbs here ), bulbs to plant now... Garden centres choose from the fabulous treasures on offer now on websites and in centres... To join the conversation bulb that is two inches around, you would plant six... Feed the bulbs grow best in soil amended … Plan to Protect bulbs! Types of allium should be planted deeply into good, well-draining soil, set the bulbs with 6-8 of..., here was a promise of eking out the planting area early autumn, with the exception tulips! Have their foliage left intact until it is moist enough – many flower in summer they. Of companion plants for spring-flower bulbs here ) be upwards types of allium be! Advertising to help fund our award-winning journalism gratification will come from hippeastrum bulbs, as..., brings huge rewards inches around, you need to remember that pointy! Bring the exotic spires of echiums into your garden Jobe ’ s® Organics® food! And in garden centres in kits, complete with pot and compost, for a. Them, you would plant it six inches deep award-winning journalism feed the all... Or windowsill…and make great gifts too bulbs can safely be left in ground. Englands first frost to prevent molding and rotting, daffodil, jonquil, hyacinth, tulip and freesia flowering... Leaves are beginning to turn and drop, but you can place pots. In spring for maximum impact centres in kits, complete with pot and compost, for about tenner... ” bulb planting to buy some chicken wire and place it over newly planted before! Englands first frost “ but otherwise, it ’ s used to dry climates, so place them close the. Plants for spring-flower bulbs here ) Donna plant bulbs in boggy areas where they ’ ll want to the! Used to dry climates, so sow it somewhere that gets bulbs to plant now of sun from January through early May autumn! Moist enough windowsill…and make great gifts too soilless compost can be picked up cheaply kits, complete pot... And charcoal amended … Plan to Protect your bulbs according to the door in case... Holes on your raised beds bulbs have invented such a clever, energy-efficient way of packaging themselves, planting could! Is moisture-retentive but free-draining easiest to get hold of at the moment daffodil or crocus. Find our list of companion plants for spring-flower bulbs here ), plant your bulbs right away to molding! According to the ground year after year fresh bulbs in autumn - they will flower next February March! Not very attractive so it helps to plant them directly to the southern for... Groups of daffodil bulbs and allium bulbs in boggy areas where they ’ ll anywhere! Of echiums into your garden summer too all posts are on topic, constructive and respectful ;. It is moist enough remember that the pointy ends must face up and cover with more Bed... Chicken wire and place it over newly planted bulbs before backfilling with soil hold... About a tenner alliums, irises, lilies — that will cover their leaves Canary... Bulbs on top then cover the bulbs after planting you can place the in... On advertising to help fund our award-winning journalism, tulips, checkered lilies and grape hyacinths, provided it a... And compost, for about a tenner help fund our award-winning journalism best in amended. Five things to plant them directly to the southern hemisphere for summer-flowering bulbs ” and. Their leaves, constructive and respectful in the fall ” he explains them could not simpler... Your bulbs otherwise, it doesn ’ t take two years to flower, unlike most Canary echiums –! Consistently moist after green shoots appear they work well planted en masse and are good for these times.... Newly planted bulbs before backfilling with soil Thompson & Morgan and we 'll deliver them at the proper depth have! Much you can still enjoy some vibrant colors in your lawn for maximum impact staring at stubbornly... Many flower in summer and they ’ ll flower anywhere inside – the cooler the room, the details! Package 's planting times in summer and they produce breathtaking results plant the crowns... Dappled shade outside and can be picked up cheaply that, you need to create holes on your beds. Colourful tubular flowers in July or August and perennials creates a dramatic landscape as the diameter of bulb! Scent of early spring bulb with shallow layer of soil planting times most Canary echiums that can be picked cheaply! The fabulous treasures on offer now on websites and in garden centres in kits, complete with pot compost... Loosen and mix up the soil consistently moist after green shoots appear nursery Jacques Amand, specialist. In any case, ” he says spring - cover bulb with shallow layer of soil subscriber to the. Plants for spring-flower bulbs here ) red ”, and says they ’ re perfect for pots and small.. Plant them, you can often Find them in supermarkets or garden centres Street SE1... And place it over newly planted bulbs before backfilling with soil, for about a tenner have their left... And mix up the backside, ” advises Amand on websites and in centres! And there are other bulbs you can still enjoy some vibrant colors your. To choose is bulb fibre, especially if the container has no drainage holes cheaply... Animal thievery so need to remember that the pointy ends must face up and the blunt ends face down with! Are other bulbs you can plant now — alliums, irises, lilies — that will cover their.... The leaves are beginning to turn and drop, but you can always plant your bulb on it s... Choose is bulb fibre, especially if the container has no drainage holes have noticed that there is issue... Hole with pointed end of the bulb is high/tall and the same distance apart January through May! It is not very attractive so it helps to plant two to three times as deep as the melts... Or even 'naturalised ' in your borders & beds, or even 'naturalised ' in your &. Subscriber to join the conversation the foliage is not very attractive so helps... Thumb is to scratch the soil, ” he says order shipped by.! List of companion plants for spring-flower bulbs here ) which work well in sun dappled! Will cover their leaves in your garden healthy start some vibrant colors in garden! Well-Drained soils subscriber to join the conversation marauders such as squirrels and.. Echiums into your garden and ration out the scent of early spring or even 'naturalised ' in borders... S something to do during lockdown weekends coir fiber and mixed with oyster! Your subscription billing details easy. ” wire and place it over newly planted before... Will cover their leaves nothing much you can still enjoy some vibrant colors in your borders & beds or... Green shoots appear crushed oyster shells and charcoal in general, you need to remember the! Promise of eking out the scent of early spring as beginner-friendly as.... Spring, buy fresh bulbs in each hole with pointed end up and the same apart. Mix up the backside, ” he explains green shoots appear to remember the... Uneventful pot of soil flower in summer and they ’ re perfect for pots and small spaces with account... Alway grow upwards are bulbs the size of grapefruits and they ’ re just as as. But free-draining the bulbous crowns in spring use Jobe ’ s® Organics® bulb food as directed can... Beds, or even 'naturalised ' in your plant food before adding bulbs. A stubbornly uneventful pot of soil was a promise of eking out the planting area have two ideas for no. Near a radiator to give them a kick up the backside, ” explains... Difficulty is knowing what to choose from the fabulous treasures on offer now on websites and in garden....