Bulbs to Plant Now for Spring Colour

There’s something magical about stepping into the garden in early spring and seeing cheerful bulbs emerging after the grey days of winter. From the first snowdrops to bold drifts of daffodils and tulips, spring bulbs are some of the easiest and most rewarding plants you can grow. Best of all, now is the perfect time to plant them, giving you a colourful display to look forward to next year.

Tulips are a beautiful spring bulb available in a wide range of colours like these beautiful pink specimens - Image by Aline Dassel from Pixabay

Why Plant Spring Bulbs?

Bulbs bring incredible versatility to the garden. They can be naturalised through lawns and under trees for a woodland look, planted in groups or drifts to brighten borders, or arranged in containers for a vibrant display on patios and doorsteps. Many are excellent companions for perennials and shrubs, filling in spaces before summer growth takes over. And with careful selection, you can enjoy colour from the very first signs of spring right through to early summer. Here we have listed the most popular spring bulbs with some tips on planting:

Daffodils (Narcissus)

Few flowers signal spring quite like daffodils. Available in a huge range of sizes and colours – from classic golden trumpets to delicate whites and creams – they’re reliable, long-lived, and naturalise well in grass or borders.

• Planting depth: About 10–15cm deep (roughly three times the height of the bulb).
• Spacing: 8–10cm apart in borders; closer in containers for a fuller effect.
• Tips: Choose early, mid, and late-season varieties for weeks of continuous colour.

Tulips

Renowned for their stunning range of colours and forms, tulips are perfect for adding drama to spring borders and containers. From bold reds and yellows to soft pastels and striking bi-colours, there’s a tulip for every taste.

• Planting depth: 15–20cm deep.
• Spacing: 8–10cm apart.
• Tips: Tulips prefer well-drained soil; in heavy soils, add grit to the planting hole. For the best displays, replace bulbs every few years as they can dwindle.

Crocus are amongst the earliest bulbs to bloom and are great for naturalising - Image by ADD from Pixabay

Crocus

Among the earliest bulbs to bloom, crocuses bring carpets of purple, yellow, and white flowers that glow in the low spring light. They’re excellent for naturalising in lawns, gravel gardens, or the front of borders.

• Planting depth: 7–10cm deep.
• Spacing: 5–8cm apart.
• Tips: Plant in large groups for the best effect; they look especially charming under deciduous trees where flowers appear before the leaves.

Snowdrops (Galanthus)

The first true sign of spring for many gardeners, snowdrops bring delicate nodding white flowers, often as early as January. They’re perfect for naturalising in grass, under hedges, or among shrubs.

• Planting depth: 8–10cm deep.
• Spacing: 5–8cm apart.
• Tips: Snowdrops establish best when planted ‘in the green’ (just after flowering in spring), but planting bulbs now can still give good results.

Hyacinths

Famed for their strong fragrance and densely packed flower spikes, hyacinths bring both colour and scent to spring. They’re excellent in pots near the house or in beds where you can enjoy their perfume.

• Planting depth: 10–12cm deep.
• Spacing: 8–10cm apart.
• Tips: Wear gloves when handling hyacinth bulbs as they can irritate the skin.

Alliums

Flowering in late spring into early summer, alliums extend the bulb season with dramatic spherical blooms in purple, pink, or white. Their architectural flowers make striking focal points among perennials.

• Planting depth: About 10–15cm deep.
• Spacing: Depends on variety – smaller types can be 10cm apart, larger ones need up to 30cm.
• Tips: Alliums love sunny, free-draining spots and are fantastic for pollinators.

Muscari (Grape Hyacinths)

Compact and hardy, muscari produce clusters of blue or purple bell-shaped flowers in mid-spring. They’re great for edging paths, tucking into rockeries, or combining with taller tulips and daffodils.

• Planting depth: 8–10cm deep.
• Spacing: 5–8cm apart.
• Tips: Muscari spread easily, so plant them where you don’t mind them naturalising over time.

There are also tubers and rhizomes (often sold with bulb packs) that can be planted now for spring colour such as Iris or Anemone. You'll find our full range within the flower bulbs section.

Ground Preparation for Bulbs

Most spring bulbs prefer well-drained soil, so if your ground is heavy, mix in grit or sand when planting. Work in some garden compost to improve fertility, and always plant bulbs with the pointed end facing upwards. For a natural look, scatter bulbs by hand over the soil and plant them where they fall. After planting, water them in well, and then nature takes care of the rest.

Here we see a mix of tulips and daffodils planted in a barrel for a bright seasonal display in red, orange and yellow - Photo by Linnaea Mallette (public domain courtesy of needpix)

Container Planting with Bulbs

If you’re short on space or simply want to enjoy spring colour right outside your window, bulbs are perfect for containers. Pots, troughs, and even window boxes can be planted now to give a dazzling display next year. Choose containers with good drainage holes and use a high-quality, peat-free compost mixed with a little grit for aeration.

One of the best techniques for pots is layered planting, often called “lasagne planting”. This allows you to enjoy waves of colour as spring progresses:

• Base layer: Larger, later-flowering bulbs such as tulips or alliums are planted at the bottom of the pot.
• Middle layer: Mid-season bulbs like daffodils or hyacinths sit above.
• Top layer: Smaller, early bulbs such as crocus, snowdrops, or muscari finish the display.

As each layer finishes flowering, the next emerges, giving weeks of interest in a single pot. These containers can brighten patios, balconies, entrances, and even small courtyards. Window boxes filled with mixed bulbs are a wonderful way to bring spring cheer to the front of a house, while grouped pots by a doorway or path make a welcoming statement.

Final Thoughts

Planting bulbs in autumn is one of the easiest ways to guarantee a garden full of colour and joy next spring. From the earliest snowdrops to dramatic late-season alliums, there’s a bulb for every garden style, space, and taste. A little effort now will reward you with months of beauty when you need it most.