Flower Bulbs

Flower Bulbs are the perfect way to organise your garden ready to bloom each season. They are easy to plant now, with many varieties growing back in years to come. These garden bulbs will grow in a variety of heights meaning they can be placed in different positions in the garden or containers. We offer great quality and value on our range.

Flower Bulbs - Your Complete Guide

Everything you need to know about choosing, planting, and caring for flower bulbs through the seasons.

What are flower bulbs?

Flower bulbs are an easy and reliable way to grow colourful plants in your garden. They come in many forms, from familiar tulip bulbs and daffodil bulbs to early bloomers like crocus bulbs. Once planted, they'll grow quietly beneath the soil until the right season, then burst into life with flowers that brighten beds, borders, and pots alike.

Where Do Bulbs Come From?

Most flower bulbs, and what gardeners often refer to as “bulbs and tubers”, come from specialist growers in the UK. These regions have ideal conditions and generations of expertise, producing some of the highest-quality garden bulbs available. Whether you’re planting tulip bulbs, crocuses, or daffodils, it all starts with well-grown stock from trusted suppliers.

How to Grow Flower Bulbs in the UK

What Is The Best Month To Plant Bulbs?

  • For Spring flowering bulbs like tulips, daffodils, and hyacinths, plant in October for the best results.
  • For Summer flowering bulbs like lilies or gladiolus, plant in April or May, once the soil has warmed.

What Bulbs Can I Plant Now in the UK?

  • In Spring: lily bulbs, gladiolus, and crocus corms
  • In Autumn: Daffodil bulbs, tulip bulbs, allium bulbs

When to Buy Flower Bulbs?

  • Spring bulbs: Buy from late August to October
  • Summer bulbs: Order from January to April

Early shopping ensures the widest choice and freshest stock, especially when you buy flower bulbs online.

Growing Conditions for Bulbs

  • Most bulbs prefer full sun or partial shade.
  • Soil should be well-drained to prevent rot.
  • Water after planting and during prolonged dry spells.

Avoid waterlogged areas, especially for overwintered bulbs.

Frequently Asked Questions

Yes, spring is the perfect time to plant summer-flowering bulbs such as lily bulbs and gladiolus, but it's too late for spring-flowering types like tulips or daffodils.
Yes, many bulbs do well in pots. Choose a container with good drainage, use a quality compost mix, and layer bulbs at the right depth. Spring bulbs like tulips and crocuses are especially well-suited for containers. Just be mindful of watering, as pots dry out faster than borders.
Spring flowering bulbs (e.g., crocus and tulip bulbs) bloom 3–5 months after autumn planting. Summer bulbs (e.g., lily bulbs) bloom 2–3 months after spring planting.
Hardy types like daffodil and crocus bulbs can return for years with proper care. Others may need lifting and storing, depending on your climate and soil conditions.
A bulb lasagne is a planting method where layers of different bulbs are stacked in a pot to produce waves of blooms over several weeks. Larger, later-blooming bulbs (like tulips) go at the bottom, mid-season ones (like hyacinths) in the middle, and early types (like crocus) on top. It's a brilliant way to get prolonged colour in a small space.