Gardening Advice

Spring Bulbs: What & When to Plant

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Ah, there is nothing in the world like waking up, making a cup of hot coffee, and spending your Sunday morning in a breathtaking spring garden, filled with magnificent flowers. But how does one achieve such a beautiful green space?

The answer is simple: spring bulbs.

Also known as hardy bulbs, these tiny bundles of pure flower power are meant to be planted in the autumn so that you can enjoy a flower-filled garden in the spring. At this point, you are probably asking yourself how, when, and what to plant in your backyard. Worry not – this article will answer all of your questions!

So, if you are:

  • a gardening newbie wondering how to plant spring bulbs in Australian weather;
  • a more experienced garden lover who is looking for the best spring bulb options to grow;
  • a curious soul who just wants to learn new things.

The Fantastic team has got you covered!

Table of contents:

Top 9 spring flower bulbs (List)

Before we get to the actual spring bulbs’ list, it’s important to talk about the difference between spring bulbs and summer bulbs, as many people tend to get them mixed up.

To put it simply, spring bulbs are planted in the autumn months, so that they can flower in the spring. Summer bulbs are planted in the spring, so that they can leaf out in the summer. Now that you know how to tell them apart, we can get back to our list of spring bulb types, beginning with…

1. Tulip

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This is one of the most popular flower options out there. The cup-shaped plant comes in all types of colours (with blue being the only exception), which makes it such a preferred garden flower.

The tulip enjoys full sun exposure, so make sure you plant it away from trees and shrubs that may cast a shade over it.

These types of flowers and can also be planted both in flower pots and the garden. Several tulips can be planted together and the close proximity helps create a beautiful and colourful “rug” of flowers to enjoy.

2. Daffodil

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The second one on our list is the beautiful daffodil. Like with tulips, you’ll find that daffodils come in all shapes, sizes, and colours, which makes them a very versatile option.

The plants like full sun to partial shade and can be grown in containers and your green space.

3. Allium

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If you are looking to create a bee-friendly garden for spring, you can’t go without planting some allium flowers. This sort of plant has a round head made from tiny star-shaped florets and comes in many colours, including purple, pink, blue, yellow, and white.

Allium flowers enjoy full sun and, again, can be planted in containers and the garden.

4. Poppy anemone

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As the name suggests, the poppy anemone is a delicate poppy-like flower. The plant has big, satiny petals and a round button centre. In terms of colours, you can grow red, purple, blue, or white flowers.

The poppy anemone enjoys full sun and is the perfect option for any garden.

5. Freesia

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Commonly chosen for floral arrangements and wedding bouquets, the freesia is also a spring-blooming flower, loved by many gardeners.

The sweet-scented plant has a trumpet shape that can be white, cream, yellow, orange, red, pink, mauve, lavender, or purple coloured. Freesias enjoy a lot of sun and can be planted in your garden and indoors, in flower pots.

6. Crocus

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Despite its weird name, the crocus flower is a very beautiful plant to have. The crocus has fairly big petals and an upright tubular shape.

The flower comes in many colours, including shades of white, pink, purple, blue, yellow, orange, bicolour, and also in patterns. These types of flowers like full sun to partial shade and can be grown in pots and the garden.

7. Canna

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The canna plant is definitely one of the most interesting-looking spring flowers. Cannas have spirally arranged petals, which can be yellow, light pink, orange, and blood red.

This type of flower enjoys full sun but can also thrive in partial shade. It’s best that you plant canna flowers in the garden, however, you can still opt for growing them in containers if they are big enough.

8. Dahlia

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Ah, no spring-blooming garden is complete without the presence of dahlia flowers. This type of plant has a bunch of small petals, which gives it a voluminous look. You can find dahlias in all types of colours – light orange, red, light purple, white, yellow, salmon, pink, and there are even bi-colours.

Note that this flower needs A LOT of light, so full sun exposure is a must. Also, if you plan to plant dahlia flowers, your best option is your garden.

9. Ranunculus

Janelle Lugge / Shutterstock.com

Ranunculus flowers are very beautiful – there isn’t a second opinion there. If you haven’t seen one, this sort of plant has delicate leaves that are closely stacked together, which gives it this almost fluffy look. In terms of colouring, you can find white, cream, light pink, hot pink, orange, red, yellow, violet, and dark purple flowers.

If you want to grow ranunculus flowers, you should know that they enjoy full sun. You can plant this type of flower in both your garden and in pots. If you opt for the second, just make sure to find a big enough container.

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When to plant spring bulbs?

It really does depend on the climate. If you live in a colder area, you should plant your spring bulbs in early autumn – March and April. And if you live in a warmer region, the ideal spring bulb planting time is late autumn – May, and even early winter, in June.

How late can you plant spring bulbs?

If you are worried that it’s too late to plant your spring bulbs, you can calm down – there is still a chance to grow a beautiful garden. If you live in a colder area of Australia, you can plant the bulbs before the temperatures drop significantly and the ground becomes cold and hard to work, and if you are located in a warmer part of the country – you can bury the plant babies even in early to mid-winter.

Where to plant spring bulbs in your garden?

If you provide the proper conditions for your spring bulbs, you can plant them anywhere you want. Two of the most important factors are good soil drainage to prevent the rotting of the bulbs and sunlight. If both of these are present, you can pick any spot in your garden to plant the bulbs.

Of course, there are more capricious types of flowers that have specific requirements – just make sure to do your research before you bury their bulbs, and you’ll be good.

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How to plant spring bulbs

Ok, so now you know what to plant and also where and when to plant it. What’s left is to learn how to actually do it. Depending on if you are planning to grow your flowers in pots or the garden, the planting process will slightly differ. With that said, here is what you need to know about both alternatives.

How to plant spring bulbs in the garden

1. Prepare the soil

Make sure to remove weeds, sticks, and stones to have a “clear canvas” to work with.

2. Add some slow-releasing fertiliser

This will give your flower babies an additional boost and they will grow nice, tall, and strong.

3. Plant the bulbs

Dig a hole that is 2 to 3 times the depth of the bulb. Drop the bulb root down in the hole. Note that sometimes it’s difficult to tell which side is the root. If you aren’t 100% sure, you can plant the bulb sideways to be safe.

4. Cover the bulbs with soil and mulch

This step is pretty self-explanatory.

5. Water generously

New plant babies need a lot of water, so make sure to apply a good amount to help them settle in.

6. Protect the bulbs

Squirrels and other fuzzy critters are notorious bulb thieves. If you don’t want your future flower garden to magically disappear, you can keep the bulbs safe by setting some chicken wire or other protective covering.

How to plant spring bulbs in pots

1. Make sure to choose the right kind of pot

It’s important to do your research before you decide on a flower pot for your bulbs. Some types of plants have bigger root systems and will need more space, so a big pot is a must.

2. Fill the container with a high-quality potting mixture

There are mixtures made especially for bulbs or specific types of flowers – pick the option that you find best. DON’T use garden soil.

3. Arrange the bulbs in the pot

Again, make sure to plant the bulbs at a depth 2 to 3 times their size. Cover them with the potting mixture and carefully pat it down.

4. Water the pots

Since the potting mixture is very dry, you’ll need to apply a good amount of water. Still, make sure not to overdo it, otherwise your spring bulbs may rot.

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Spring bulb post-planting care tips

Properly planting your spring bulbs is just half of the story – you’ll also need to learn how to take care of them. To make things easier for you, we’ve also included a couple of tips that will help you out:

  • Make sure to use plant tags. While it may not look very nice, it’s important to mark what you’ve planted and where;
  • Protect the soil around the bulbs from getting trampled or squished – this can harm the bulbs you’ve planted below;
  • It’s important to follow a watering schedule throughout the growing period. This rule applies especially for bulbs planted in pots;
  • Fertilise the soil to ensure the healthy growth of your flowers;
  • Make sure to inspect your garden or pots regularry for pests.

Do you need help with your garden?

Now that you know everything there is to know about spring bulbs, a question arises: Do you want to spend all of those hours digging holes and burying bulbs? If the answer is no, then look no further than Fantastic Services’ professional flower planting service!

You can book the service completely online and a fully equipped gardener will be at your doorstep in no time. They will help pick the right spot for your future flowers, plant them, and give you care advice! Doesn’t it sound just great?

So, don’t wait any longer and book Fantastic Services’ gardening solutions today!

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Takeaways

  • Make sure to start with healthy bulbs. Damaged or sick bulbs won’t end up as beautiful spring flowers;
  • Your planting time is vital – you need to bury your bulbs in a warm enough weather;
  • Most spring-flowering bulbs enjoy a lot of sunlight and thrive in soil with good drainage;
  • Many types of spring bulbs can be planted in both indoor containers and your garden;
  • A general rule of thumb is to plant spring bulbs in a depth that is 2 to 3 times their size;
  • Make sure to protect your plant babies from rodents and pests.

Did you find our article helpful? Make sure to leave your thoughts in the comment section below! Happy gardening!

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