Autumn is the time to plant spring bulbs. Here's how to get drifts of colour ready for the months ahead.
Created by jflgardens.co.uk
Daffodils, tulips and alliums flower next spring thanks to bulbs you plant this autumn. A little effort now delivers a spectacular display later — and autumn is exactly the right time to get them in the ground.
Pick a range that flowers in succession — snowdrops and crocus first, then daffodils and tulips, with alliums and late tulips carrying the display through. This way the garden keeps colour for several months rather than all at once.
A good rule of thumb is to plant each bulb two to three times its own height deep, with the pointy end up, in soil that drains well and does not sit wet. In borders, plant in loose clumps or drifts rather than single lines for a natural and generous look.
Bulbs prefer a spot that gets some spring sun and drains well. If your soil is heavy or soggy, add coarse grit or a little compost to the planting hole so the bulbs do not sit in water and rot through the winter.
Bulbs grow brilliantly in pots and containers, where layering different types gives you a longer display. Keep the compost just moist over winter and, by early spring, you will have a planter full of colour ready to enjoy.
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