A Guide to Spring Flowering Bulbs

Autumn brings the perfect conditions to get your hands dirty, preparing soil for planting spring flowering bulbs that will see your garden bursting with colour. Some of our favourites to plant at this time include anemones, tulips, daffodils, and freesias, as they’re no-fuss and come in a wonderful range of colours to suit any garden palette.

When to Plant Spring Flowering Bulbs in Australia

Spring flowering bulbs are planted during autumn and spend winter in the ground. They need several weeks of cold temperatures to break their dormancy and flower to their full potential in spring. After flowering, many bulbs can be left in the ground and they will multiply in the soil flowering year after year.

Flowering bulbs are perennial so they are set and forget plants, however, some varieties such as tulips, daffodils, and hyacinths will benefit from lifting at the end of the flowering season for replanting next autumn as they may rot if left in the soil.
Try a bulb planting basket at planting time for these varieties as it makes locating and lifting your bulbs a breeze. They also double as a handy storage container for lifted bulbs, allowing plenty of airflow.

Where to Plant Spring Flowering Bulbs

As long as your bulbs have good drainage and sunlight, you can plant them almost anywhere.

In smaller spaces, try planting your bulbs in ornamental pots and place them in a sunny spot. In larger gardens, plant en masse in raised garden beds or plots in the ground for the ultimate display come spring. Bulbs for the most part are very hardy and require little water or attention once planted.

Top Tips for Spring Flowering Bulbs

If you have ever wondered how to grow your own spring flowering bulbs such as daffodils and tulips, you'll be happy to know that they are really easy to grow.

Here are our top tips for healthy spring bulbs:

• Buy your bulbs as early as possible and select the healthiest. Look for bulbs that are firm and plump when you squeeze them and don’t plant anything soft, squishy, diseased, or mouldy.
• Plant in rows or groups for a spectacular display or mix it up by scattering them about 10cm apart.
• Well-drained soil and lots of sun are their main requirements, but make sure you also dig in plenty of compost and well-rotted manure where possible.
• Most bulbs grow well in pots or tubs, but tulips, hyacinths, daffodils, and Dutch crocus are particularly suited for growing this way.
• Minimise the amount of hot afternoon sun as high temperatures can affect bulb flowering.
• Most bulbs need full sun or partial sun, but if you are in an area with hot summers, delay planting until the weather and the soil have cooled down.
• Remember to check your bulb packet for the correct planting depth as bulbs planted incorrectly could run out of energy before they can break through the soil surface. As a general guide, plant your bulbs 2-3 times as deep as they are wide.
• Most bulbs should be planted ‘pointy end up’ except ranunculi, which likes to be planted claws down.
• Make sure your bulbs have good drainage and adequate moisture during the growing season. Compost and planting in mounds or raised beds will help if your soil remains damp.
• Avoid over-fertilising bulbs, especially those in pots. A little blood and bone at planting time and then some slow-release fertiliser as flowering finishes. This will ensure healthy bulbs for the following year.
• Make sure you allow foliage to die back completely before removing it as this energy redirects back to the bulb for next season.
• Place your tulips and hyacinth in the crisper section of the refrigerator for 6-8 weeks before planting. The fridge replicates the cold winter temperatures the bulbs experience in their native habitat and helps them perform better in our relatively warm climate.

Where to buy Spring Flowering Bulbs in Australia

Mr Fothergill's stocks over 120 varieties of spring flowering bulbs, with new additions every season and something for every garden style. Spring flowering bulbs are available between March and May and can be purchased both online and at well-stocked independent garden retailers nationwide.

While we’ve got you, why not check out our summer flowering bulbs which are available from June to September and our handy garden advice blog for tips about growing all kinds of crops all year round.