20 Spring Flowering Bulbs With Examples From Winterbourne’s April Display
Reviewed By PETER LICKORISH
Peter is a Horticulture Lecturer and self-employed Horticulturist, with a passion for diverse areas of the industry - from garden design to the science behind plant growth and propagation. He has completed the Royal Horticultural Society’s Master of Horticulture (MHort) Award and lectures on RHS courses at Bedford College.
Contributions From BULBi , JONATHAN HART
Jonathan has worked in the industry for as long as he can remember. He’s previously grown gold-medal winning lilies for displays at various flower shows throughout the UK, including at the prestigious RHS Chelsea Flower Show each year, where his nursery has recently been awarded the EH Trophy for their exhibit of cut flowers.
IN THIS GUIDE
- 1) Ornamental Onion
- 2) Windflower
- 3) Bluebell
- 4) Crocus
- 5) Daffodil
- 6) Byzantine Gladiolus
- 7) Hyacinth
- 8) Iris
- 9) Grape Hyacinth
- 10) Snowdrops
- 11) Tulips
- 12) Snake’s Head Fritillary
- 13) Persian Buttercup
- 14) Camas Lily
- 15) Lily Of The Valley
- 16) Striped Squill
- 17) Dog’s Tooth Violet
- 18) Lily
- 19) Winter Aconite
- 20) Alpine Violet
- References
Putting in the hard yards in autumn will help you reap a colourful and vibrant display come springtime with these bulbs.
“Flower bulbs come in a range of colours, but the subtle pastels of spring bulbs are special,” says the team at BULBi, an online UK supplier of hundreds of different bulbs and tubers.
“Whether you prefer a monochromatic look or a garden filled with a rainbow of colours, flower bulbs can help you achieve your vision.”
In many ways, autumn is the busiest season of all for gardening enthusiasts.
Fruits need to be pruned, perennials require stripping back and, for those who have trees in their garden, a carpet of crunchy fallen leaves must be swept up on a regular basis.
But as well as tending to the needs of the current year, autumn is also the time to begin planning for the one to come.
Bulbs are among the prime candidates for autumn planting, due to the fact that they don’t demand too much in the way of maintenance and offer a guarantee of bright colour come springtime, as the experts at BULBi share:
“Another benefit of spring-flowering bulbs is their ease of growth.
“They don’t require much care and are incredibly low maintenance. Simply plant them in the autumn, then sit back and enjoy the show in the spring.”
Given that the bulbs are in prime condition and the soil is at its most workable following a productive summer, it’s the ideal season to roll up your sleeves and work out your display for the coming year.
Thankfully, there are plenty of different bulbs to choose from, available in a wide range of flowering times, styles and colours.
“We really enjoy the early spring bloomers such as Crocus, Galanthus and Eranthis hyemalis,” says the team at BULBi.
“As soon as you see the first buds coming out of the ground, you know that spring is almost here. They are also ideal appetisers for bees and other insects, which is much needed at this time of year.”
“I personally love growing alliums for spring flowers because they are so majestic,” says Jonathan Hart from Harts Nursery.
“However, there’s nothing like having tulips in flower in the spring, as there [are] so many different types and colours.
“My personal favourite is a pink double Tulip called ‘Angelique’.”
The list below represents our favourites among the multitudinous options on offer.
1) Ornamental Onion
- BOTANICAL NAME: ALLIUM
- WHEN TO PLANT: SEPTEMBER – OCTOBER
- FLOWERING MONTHS: APRIL – JULY
- BEST SITED: SUNNY AREA
You might be more familiar with the allium family due to its tasty culinary members, including garlic, onion and shallot.
However, there are plenty of ornamental alliums which make for impressive spring flowering plants.
Though they do come in a variety of different colours and sizes, they’re most commonly distinguished by their tall, bobbing stems topped by spheres of purple flowers.
Their height makes them an ideal option to plant in among sunny borders or surrounded by swaying grasses, though they’re versatile enough to make an attractive display wherever they’re positioned.
2) Windflower
- BOTANICAL NAME: ANEMONE
- WHEN TO PLANT: SEPTEMBER – OCTOBER
- FLOWERING MONTHS: FEBRUARY – APRIL
- BEST SITED: SUNNY AREA
With their cup-shaped blooms, daisy-like petals and bursts of bright colour, anemones are a sight for sore eyes come springtime.
They flourish best in direct sunlight or dappled shade, making them an ideal choice for beneath deciduous trees or taller plants.
They’re also very compact, meaning they lend themselves well to container planting, busy borders and their edges or other areas of the garden where space is at a premium.
Plant them in early autumn for a charming display of colours come early spring that’ll cut right through the doom and gloom of winter to galvanise your garden back to life.
3) Bluebell
- BOTANICAL NAME: Hyacinthoides non-scripta
- WHEN TO PLANT: SEPTEMBER – NOVEMBER
- FLOWERING MONTHS: MARCH – MAY
- BEST SITED: PARTIALLY SHADED
These delicately beautiful flowers are commonly found throughout woodlands and meadows across the UK.
The English variety is differentiated from its Spanish cousins by the drooping nature of the stem and the fact that all the blossoms drape aesthetically from a single side.
They’re used to excelling in shaded spots, so find a darker part of your garden and brighten it up with a scattering of these bulbs between September and November.
For best results, plant them in a random pattern to recreate the attractive chaos of their growth in the wild.
“Try throwing them in the air and planting them where they land,” advises Master Horticulturist Peter Lickorish.
4) Crocus
- BOTANICAL NAME: CROCUS
- WHEN TO PLANT: SEPTEMBER – NOVEMBER
- FLOWERING MONTHS: FEBRUARY – APRIL
- BEST SITED: SUNNY AREA
Easily distinguished by their goblet-shaped blossoms, crocuses come in a range of bold colours, with purple, yellow and white being the most common.
Depending on the variety you plump for, you might even enjoy splashes of another colour in the centre of their bloom, while the petals themselves are variegated on occasion.
Unlike bluebells, crocuses do not grow well with restricted sunlight, so be sure to plant them in well-draining soil and with direct UV exposure.
Follow those simple rules and you’ll be rewarded with a vibrant display early on in spring.
5) Daffodil
- BOTANICAL NAME: NARCISSUS
- WHEN TO PLANT: SEPTEMBER – OCTOBER
- FLOWERING MONTHS: FEBRUARY – APRIL
- BEST SITED: SUNNY AREA
In Greek mythology, Narcissus became so enamoured with his own image that he rejected all suitors and fell in love with his own reflection in a spring – with a daffodil sprouting in his place after his demise.1Narcissus | Definition & Myth. (1998, July 20). Encyclopedia Britannica. Retrieved March 13, 2023, from https://www.britannica.com/topic/Narcissus-Greek-mythology
One glance at the trumpet-like structure and dazzling yellow tones of the flower should clear up any confusion over the origins of that story, since daffodils are among the most flamboyant and fetching bulbs you can plant in autumn.
Put them in the ground between September and October to reap a colourful reward come February to April, depending on the specific variety you settle upon.
6) Byzantine Gladiolus
- BOTANICAL NAME: Gladiolus communis subsp. byzantinus
- WHEN TO PLANT: SEPTEMBER – OCTOBER
- FLOWERING MONTHS: MAY – JUNE
- BEST SITED: SUNNY, SHELTERED AREA
Most Gladioli are meant to be planted in Spring and won’t survive harsh winters here in the UK.
However, Byzantine Gladioli can survive harsher climates and is therefore suitable for autumn planting.
With their tall spears of clustered blossoms, gladioli are among the most sought after autumn-planted bulbs for the rear of borders or near fences and walls.
However, their top-heavy structure means that they are wont to keel over under the weight of their own gorgeousness, so it might be an idea to provide support in the form of staking – especially if you plan to plant them in an area exposed to wind.
They’re also a bit prissy about their own space and don’t like to compete with the roots of shrubs or trees for their nutrients, so keep these demands in mind when considering your layout.
7) Hyacinth
- WHEN TO PLANT: SEPTEMBER – OCTOBER
- FLOWERING MONTHS: MARCH – APRIL
- BEST SITED: ANY AREA
Autumn-planted hyacinths come in two varieties: “prepared” and “unprepared”.
The former are generally planted in containers or pots indoors at the start of September and kept in dark, cool rooms in order to generate a bright blossom in time for Christmas.
“Unprepared” types are planted outdoors anytime during September and October, normally in borders or containers, in order to unlock an effervescent display come springtime.
Whichever variety you prefer, you’ll be rewarded with incredibly pretty and dainty, often fragrant, flowerheads that perch atop chunky stems for an inimitable aesthetic.
8) Iris
- WHEN TO PLANT: SEPTEMBER – OCTOBER
- FLOWERING MONTHS: MAY – JUNE
- BEST SITED: SUNNY, MOIST AREA
Named for the Greek goddess of the rainbow, it’s fitting that irises are available in a wide spectrum of colours.2Iris – Greek Goddess of the Rainbow, Messenger of the Gods. (n.d.). Theoi Greek Mythology. Retrieved March 13, 2023, from https://www.theoi.com/Pontios/Iris.html
Their paper-like leaves and beautifully marked flowers make them hot property in the horticultural world.
The fact that their species are comfortable in a variety of soil types – from moist pond margins to free-draining rockeries – means they are as versatile as they are vivacious.
Bulbous irises will do best in well-drained soil and enjoy full sun, flowering in spring for a short period only.
However, their association with royalty (the French fleur-de-lis, despite having the misnomer of “flower of the lily”, is actually an iris) is a testament to the beauty of their blossoms during that brief window.3Lestz, M. (2019, March 19). French History of the Fleur de Lys: The Iris of Kings. Perfectly Provence. Retrieved May 2, 2023, from https://perfectlyprovence.co/french-history-fleur-de-lys/
9) Grape Hyacinth
- BOTANICAL NAME: MUSCARI
- WHEN TO PLANT: SEPTEMBER – OCTOBER
- FLOWERING MONTHS: APRIL – MAY
- BEST SITED: SUNNY OR PARTIALLY SHADED SPOT
Muscari are an unusual and arresting flower to plant in autumn.
Small in size but big in impact, their appearance is reminiscent of a bunch of blue or purple grapes dangling from a diminutive stem, making them a bold addition to any border or arrangement.
They do equally well indoors, too, so you might wish to make a windowsill display of them if you enjoy their colour and style.
Just be mindful that once established, they have a tendency to propagate all by themselves – so keep an eye on them if you don’t want them to take over your garden!
10) Snowdrops
- BOTANICAL NAME: GALANTHUS
- WHEN TO PLANT: OCTOBER – NOVEMBER
- FLOWERING MONTHS: JANUARY – MARCH
- BEST SITED: PART SHADED AREA
Among the earliest flowering plants available, snowdrops are usually the harbingers of spring’s arrival.
Indeed, in some varieties and locations, they’ve even been observed as early as late December.
Whenever the drifts of these delicately beautiful flowers begin to surface, they’re sure to catch eyes and turn heads.
They’re most commonly found in woodland areas in the wild, so you can encourage their growth by replicating those conditions as closely as possible in your garden by planting them in partial or dappled shade.
“Many spring-flowering bulbs which prefer shade are happiest in relatively dry shade,” says Peter.
“They exploit a niche when light is available and temperatures are climbing, before the canopy of trees fully forms.
“Keep this in mind when selecting plants or positioning your bulbs.
“Grouping bulbs in small, odd numbers like threes and fives is usually effective.”
A smattering of galanthus is also an excellent way to add a touch of natural charm to a lawn too.
11) Tulips
- BOTANICAL NAME: TULIPA
- WHEN TO PLANT: SEPTEMBER – DECEMBER
- FLOWERING MONTHS: MARCH – MAY
- BEST SITED: SUNNY AREA
“Our absolute favourite is and always has been the tulip,” shares a team member from BULBi, when asked about their favourite springtime flowering bulb.
“When you think of a spring garden, the tulip really can’t be missing. After all, tulips are the foundation of the spring garden.”
With their distinctive cup-shaped structure and bright floral blossoms, tulips are one of the most popular bulbs to plant in autumn for good reason.
They require minimal upkeep, invariably perform well in all climes and produce fantastic aesthetic results come springtime.
For areas that suffer especially cold winters, it might be beneficial to plant them slightly deeper than normal (at perhaps four to five times their own height) to insulate them from the worst of the surface frost.
12) Snake’s Head Fritillary
- BOTANICAL NAME: Fritillaria meleagris
- WHEN TO PLANT: SEPTEMBER – OCTOBER
- FLOWERING MONTHS: APRIL – MAY
- BEST SITED: DAPPLED SHADE
There are some plants that simply make you gasp in amazement when they flower.
Snake’s head fritillary is one such variety, which takes its common name from the arrow-shaped structure and tessellated pattern of its flowers just before they bloom.
Indeed, it’s the unique markings of the flowerheads which make Fritillaries such an interesting and unusual specimen for your garden display.
Plant them in clusters in September or October and add a few more each autumn to ensure they stay strong and resilient year after year.
“These are one of a small selection of bulbs which can tolerate seasonally waterlogged conditions,” adds Peter.
13) Persian Buttercup
- BOTANICAL NAME: Ranunculus asiaticus
- WHEN TO PLANT: SEPTEMBER – NOVEMBER
- FLOWERING MONTHS: APRIL – JUNE
- BEST SITED: SUNNY AREA
Flowers of Persian buttercup come in a stunning variety of colours.
14) Camas Lily
- BOTANICAL NAME: CAMASSIA
- WHEN TO PLANT: SEPTEMBER – NOVEMBER
- FLOWERING MONTHS: APRIL – JUNE
- BEST SITED: ANY AREA
With flowers in cool blues and whites, these are among the taller spring-flowering bulbs, reaching heights of a metre.
15) Lily Of The Valley
- BOTANICAL NAME: Convallaria majalis
- WHEN TO PLANT: SEPTEMBER – OCTOBER
- FLOWERING MONTHS: MAY – JUNE
- BEST SITED: PART SHADED; MOIST AREA
These distinctive flowers prefer richer, moister soil than many bulbs and thrive in shade.
16) Striped Squill
- BOTANICAL NAME: Puschkinia scilloides
- WHEN TO PLANT: SEPTEMBER – OCTOBER
- FLOWERING MONTHS: MARCH – APRIL
- BEST SITED: ANY AREA
These small, delicate bulbs add variety, and perhaps a frothy understorey, to any display of bulbs.
17) Dog’s Tooth Violet
- BOTANICAL NAME: Erythronium dens-canis
- WHEN TO PLANT: SEPTEMBER – OCTOBER
- FLOWERING MONTHS: APRIL – MAY
- BEST SITED: SHADED AREA
“These plants, including their bulbs, do not like to dry out,” says Peter.
“If you can keep them moist, they will reward you with unusual speckled foliage and jewel-like flowers.”
18) Lily
- BOTANICAL NAME: LILIUM
- WHEN TO PLANT: SEPTEMBER – EARLY OCTOBER
- FLOWERING MONTHS: VARIES, OFTEN SUMMER
- BEST SITED: SUNNY AREA
They relish Autumn-planting, even though flowers tend to be from late spring and early summer onward.
Their heights and colours vary widely, so choose carefully.
19) Winter Aconite
- BOTANICAL NAME: Eranthis hyemalis
- WHEN TO PLANT: SEPTEMBER – OCTOBER
- FLOWERING MONTHS: FEBRUARY – MARCH
- BEST SITED: PART SHADED AREA
These very low growing plants carpet the soil in late winter with cheerful yellow flowers.
20) Alpine Violet
- BOTANICAL NAME: CYCLAMEN
- WHEN TO PLANT: SEPTEMBER – NOVEMBER
- FLOWERING MONTHS: VARIES
- BEST SITED: FULLY SHADED, MOIST AREA
“Species of hardy Cyclamen can be chosen to flower almost any month of the year, producing flowers of pinks and whites and a variety of interesting, sometimes marbled, leaves,” Peter explains.
