Few things lift the spirits like the first flowers of spring pushing through the soil after a long winter. Whether it’s the sunny faces of daffodils, the rich colours of tulips, or the delicate scent of hyacinths, bulbs bring joy and colour to the garden year after year. At Bosworth’s Garden Centre, we believe that planting bulbs is one of the simplest ways to guarantee beauty in your borders, pots, and containers. Here’s our complete guide to choosing, planting, and caring for bulbs — plus a clever layered planting method that gives you months of continuous blooms. Choosing the Right Bulbs The first step to a stunning display is picking high-quality bulbs suited to your garden. Check the quality — Look for firm, plump bulbs with no signs of mould, damage, or shrivelling. Match to your soil — Tulips and alliums prefer free-draining soil; snowdrops and bluebells thrive in heavier, damper conditions. Think about flowering times — Choose a mix of early-, mid-, and late-flowering bulbs for extended colour. 💡 Bosworth’s tip: Buying bulbs in bulk not only saves money but ensures you have enough for creative planting combinations. How to Plant Bulbs Bulbs are nature’s little time capsules — but they still need the right conditions to thrive. Plant at the right depth — A good rule of thumb is to plant bulbs at three times their own height. Point the right way up — The pointed end should face upwards (for flatter bulbs, don’t panic — they usually sort themselves out). Prepare the soil — Loosen it and add a little compost or bulb fibre for nutrients. Water in — Give a good soak after planting to help settle the soil around the bulbs. Caring for Bulbs Year-Round Watering — Keep soil lightly moist during growth, but avoid waterlogging which can cause rot. Deadheading — Remove faded flowers to prevent energy going into seed production. Leave the leaves — Let foliage die back naturally for 6–8 weeks; the leaves feed the bulb for next year’s display. Feeding — Apply a balanced, slow-release fertiliser in spring as shoots appear. Lifting and storing — For tender bulbs (like gladioli or dahlias), lift after foliage has died back, dry them, and store in a cool, frost-free place. Layered Bulb Planting: Months of Colour from One Pot Also known as the ‘lasagne method’, layered bulb planting allows you to stack different bulbs in the same container, ensuring flowers from early spring to early summer. How to do it: Choose your container — Make sure it’s deep enough (at least 30cm) and has good drainage. First layer (bottom) — Plant large, late-flowering bulbs like tulips or alliums. Second layer (middle) — Add mid-season bulbs such as hyacinths or narcissi. Top layer (surface) — Finish with small, early-flowering bulbs like crocuses or snowdrops. Cover and water — Fill in with compost between layers, water well, and leave nature to do the rest. 💡 Bosworth’s tip: In borders, you can use the same principle — just stagger bulb depths in a single planting hole for a natural, long-lasting show. Bulb Planting Calendar for the UK Autumn planting (Sept–Nov): Daffodils, tulips, crocus, hyacinths, alliums, snowdrops. Spring planting (Mar–May): Dahlias, lilies, gladioli, begonias. Summer planting (Jun–Aug): Autumn crocus, nerines, colchicums. Your Bulb HQ at Bosworth’s We stock a wide range of top-quality bulbs for every season, plus compost, bulb planters, and fertilisers to give them the best start. Whether you want a classic drift of daffodils or a show-stopping tulip display, our team can help you choose the perfect varieties for your garden.