Bulbs to plant for spring colour

It’s always exciting when bulb time comes around and now is the time to think ahead to creating colourful spring gardens.

Autumn bulb planting for spring displays is very popular. Most bulbs are suitable to be planted in pots and when planted en masse in gardens alongside evergreen plants they make spring gardening all the more rewarding.

Try arranging mixed bulb varieties to flower early season, mid season and late season for a continued long lasting flowering display.

When planting in pots and while the bulbs are dormant, plant some winter annuals on the top layer so the pot is full of colour all year round.

Easy to grow bulbs

Bulbs that grow well in Victoria include anemone, babiana, dahlia, freesia, grape hyacinth, lachenalia, snowflake (leucojeum), lilium, nerine, chincherinchee and ranunculus, as well as tritelia and tritonia.

Perfumed bulbs

For heavily perfumed flowers, you can’t go past freesia and hyacinth. Plant these in autumn and they will flower in spring. Lilium needs to be planted in winter and will provide wonderfully scented flowers at Christmas.

Where to plant a bulb

Bulbs prefer well-drained, slightly acid soil which has been prepared in advance with the addition of organic compost or well-rotted cow manure.

Lower growing bulbs such as jonquils, ipheion and ranunculus make excellent pot plants for sunny balconies and patios.

Gardeners with the luxury of space should plant bulbs in large drifts, clumps and islands for maximum impact. Many, such as jonquils and snowflakes can be left to naturalise and multiply on their own for a number of years.

If your garden is small, plant your bulbs into a large plastic pot and sink it into the ground. When your bulbs have finished flowering simply lift the pot out and store it in a cool dry place until next year.

How to plant a bulb

As a general rule, bulbs should be planted to a depth twice that of their size. Make sure the narrowest end, or neck, is at the top. Backfill the planting hole gently to avoid damaging the growing tip. For a dense display, plant bulbs in two layers approximately 10cm apart. Keep moist but not wet.

Tulip and hyacinth will benefit from being refrigerated for eight weeks prior to planting.

Bulb care

Bulbs store their own food for use during the current season’s flowering and should therefore be fed with a soluble fertiliser when the flowers have finished but before the foliage has died back.

It is essential to resist the temptation to cut off straggly foliage until it is completely dead.

Bulb planting tips

Bulbs that flower in summer should be planted in winter or spring and don’t require chilling.

Aesthetically, bulbs look best planted in clusters or en masse, so buy as many as you can. Think at least in dozens (thousands, if you can afford it!).

Water immediately after planting. Water is stored naturally inside the bulb, so bulbs require little watering. During drought, or in areas that receive little rainfall, water once a week only.

Excellent drainage is vital for bulbs. Build up mounds of garden soil if necessary, before planting.

Always plant bulbs pointy end up, except for ranunculus and anemones which should be planted pointy end down.

Fertilise bulbs when the first shoots appear above the ground, and once again after flowering.