Best spring flowering bulbs

Autumn is the perfect time to plant bulbs to flower in spring in both borders and pots.

Once planted, most will return each year and multiply in numbers over time. 

Look out for them in garden centres and at specialist online bulb suppliers. Keep them in a cool, dry place until you're ready to plant them and then put them in around three times their depth.

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The best spring-flowering bulbs

Tulips

Nothing beats tulips for a beautiful range of colours. There are dwarf and tall varieties and most flower later in spring, making a stunning finale to the bulb display. Unlike other bulbs, they're best planted as late as November as this will help reduce problems with the disease tulip fire. It can be tricky to get tulips to reflower in their second year. In borders, plant them deeply and try to plant under deciduous trees and shrubs as these create the dry summer conditions that tulips enjoy. Bulbs in pots are best planted in the ground after flowering and replaced with fresh bulbs each year. 

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Dwarf and Dutch iris

Dwarf iris are usually varieties of I. reticulata and make plants around 15cm tall. Dutch iris are much taller at around 80cm. Both come in rich colours and have beautiful petal markings. Dwarf iris in particular do best in shallow pots as then you can see them up close. Cover the surface of the compost with grit to stop soil splashing on the blooms.  Dwarf iris can be planted closely but not touching; Dutch iris need a little more room so plant them around 10cm apart. 

Daffodils

Also known as narcissus, daffodils come in cheery shades of yellow and white. Most have the traditional trumpets, but you can also buy ones with open faces. There are dwarf ones, which are great for pots, and taller ones that are great for borders and for naturalising in grass. They like to be planted in August or September as the roots start growing early. If your bulbs stop flowering over time, dig them up and replant at least three times the depth of the bulb. It's important not to tie up or cut back the leaves after flowering as they're making food which will help produce the following year's flowers.

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Alliums (ornamental onions)

You might not think of onions for the flower garden but these ornamental forms are beautiful. Most have purple or white flowers that are held on round heads. Most blooms in late spring. The leaves tend to die back around the time the flowers open so cut them off if they start to look messy. Be careful with onion sap as it leaves an orange stain.

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Crocus

The delicate flowers of crocus are often one of the first to bloom in spring. They look wonderful on a sunny day when they open their petals wide. Plant them in groups to give them impact - they work well for naturalising in the lawn as well as in borders. They're also great for pots as you can see their blooms up close. Cover the compost with grit to avoid rain causing soil splashes on their petals. Squirrels can sometimes eat the bulbs so cover them with chicken wire if you can to help prevent the squirrels digging.

Snowdrops

Unusually for a spring bulb, snowdrops are best planted while they're growing in spring, rather than as dry bulbs in autumn. Look for bulbs being sold 'in the green' or lift existing clumps in your garden and pull them apart into bunches of two or three bulbs. Replant straight away and they'll increase in numbers over time. Many gardeners fall in love with snowdrops and their intricate markings inside so some of the rarest varieties are sold for hundreds of pounds!

Hyacinths

Possibly one of the most sweetly scented of all the spring bulbs, hyacinths are perfect for pots by the front door where you can appreciate their perfume every time you come home. They can also be planted in borders and they make lovely winter houseplants - use 'prepared bulbs' for this and keep them as cool as you can or they'll grow tall and floppy. In the garden, they like a sunny or partially shaded spot in well-drained soil. If they don't flower well in their second year, dig them up, remove any small bulbs growing on the main bulb and then replant more deeply.

How late can you plant bulbs?

Which? Gardening magazine trialled planting bulbs over six dates from mid-September to early January to find out just how late you can plant each bulb and still get a display of flowers.

Our verdict

• Crocus - Plant in September or early October for a long-lasting and early display
• Daffodils -  Early autumn is best, but even December plantings can give a decent result.
• Tulips - Late October and November is best, but you can delay planting late-flowering varieties
• Alliums - September is best, but alliums still flower well from later plantings.
• Dwarf iris - Plant in September or early October for good displays of early colour.

Getting the best from bulbs

Depth Plant the bulbs so they’re covered by three times their height of soil. Place them pointed side up, or with the circular patch from which the roots emerge facing down.

Borders Plant border bulbs in fertile, well-drained soil in a sheltered location, away from the strongest winds and worst of the weather. Avoid ground where bulbs have previously suffered from disease, as the fungal spores can persist in the soil. Infected bulbs should be lifted and destroyed immediately.

Identify your bulbs with Best Buy plastic-free labels

Pots If planting in pots, ensure good drainage by choosing a pot with a drainage hole. You can get a lovely and long-lasting display by layering bulbs. Plant the largest, latest-flowering bulbs at the bottom – as deep as 30cm – and the earliest, smallest ones in the uppermost layer. Give multi-layered bulbs wider spacing to allow room for the lower ones to grow up through.

Try our Best Buy composts for containers

Naturalising To naturalise in grass, dig out a ‘core’ of turf to the required depth, pop the bulb in and replug the hole with the turf. Avoid mowing until the bulb foliage has died back, usually in June