The best spring bulbs to plant in autumn

For a stunning display in your garden come springtime, you need to start planning early - this means planting your favourite spring-flowering bulbs in autumn

Spring-flowering bulbs provide much-needed colour in the still cold and dark early spring days, when not much else is in bloom. Seeing their stems begin to poke through the soil marks the much-anticipated start of warmer weather and longer days

Enjoy the welcome shades and blooms of spring flowers from February all the way through to May by planting your bulbs now. Discover our top picks of the most beautiful spring bulbs to plant this autumn, plus our top planting tips

WHEN TO PLANT SPRING BULBS?

Spring-flowering bulbs should be planted between September and November, depending on the bulb you're planting. Check the packet of your chosen variety for the correct planting information

HOW TO PLANT SPRING BULBS

Bulbs are generally planted at a depth of three times their size. Spring bulbs need sun or partial shade, and do well in free-draining soil - add some horticultural grit or crocks (broken terracotta pots or plates) to help with drainage

Bulbs planted in groups of informal patterns look best. Most bulbs naturalise under trees or lawns, which means they’ll return year on year, multiplying each time. This creates a natural looking carpet of colour across your garden

Once a bulb's flowering period has ended, allow its foliage to die back completely before removing it to feed next year’s bulbs. Most bulbs are perennials, so will come back year after year - except for tulips. If you’ve planted your bulbs in a pot, store it somewhere cool over summer or dig them up and replant them in your garden

TOP TIP: Start buying bulbs in-store from late summer, as popular varieties run out quickly! Store them in a cool, dark place until you're ready to plant

OUR FAVOURITE BULBS TO PLANT IN THE AUTUMN

SNOWDROPS

You know spring is finally here when you start to spot these classic spring flowers poking up from frosty grounds! The delicate, white bell-shaped blooms of snowdrops are often found in the wild and can appear as early as late December, persevering colder conditions. They can be grown in pots or directly in ground

Plant in: October - November in a partially shaded area

Flowers in: January – March

WINTER ACONITE

These cheerful yellow poppy-like flowers provide a much-needed burst of sunshine, making them a welcome sight in late winter and early spring. Winter aconites look best grown in natural formations in clusters of flowers. They look even better when paired with snowdrops for the ultimate spring flower display

Plant in: October and November in partial shade

Flowers in: February and March

CROCUS

The petite purple, yellow, and white flowers of crocus covering your grounds is sure to brighten up those dull late winter days. Crocuses are one of the earliest blooming spring bulbs. To create a natural look with a visual impact, plant their bulbs in drifts (irregular groups and patterns). If you don’t have much ground space, then crocuses are well suited to pots and the front of borders. Pollinating insects love crocuses as a source of nectar and pollen too

Plant in: September- October in a sunny spot

Flowers in: February – April

DAFFODILS

Daffodils are pinnacle springtime flowers! Because they’re often one of the first flowers to bloom, they’re seen by many gardeners as a symbol of the rebirth and new beginnings the spring season often brings. They come in many different varieties with different colours and forms and can grow up to a height of 45cm. Daffodils are flamboyant in colour and shape – they come in shades of cream white or lemon yellow, with a trumpet protruding from the centre in a contrasting shade. Grow daffodils in pots or borders

Plant in: September and October in sunny spot

Flowers in: February – April

HYACINTHS

For splashes of colour in your borders, plant hyacinths in your garden. Their colours range from blue, pink and yellow, to moodier tones of dark purple, magenta and white. Their fragrant clusters of blooms sit atop a tall stem, are pretty and dainty, and add a unique look and feel to your outdoors

Plant in: September – November

Flowers in: March - April

TULIPS

Tulips are incredibly popular spring flowers and it’s not hard to see why. Their showy cup-shaped bulbs come in almost infinite colours, meaning they’re perfect for adding interest to borders and pots. You can also cut their stems just before they bloom and display them in a vase to bring the cheer indoors. Tulips are very easy to care for too - believe us when we say a spring garden isn’t complete without a bundle of tulips growing happily in your garden!

Plant in: September – November in a sunny spot

Flowers in: March - May

BLUEBELLS

Bluebells are known for carpeting the grounds in woodland areas in late spring, but they’ll happily grow in your garden and give you a gorgeous natural look. Beautiful and delicate, they have blossoms which bloom from drooping stems. If you want to recreate the natural woodland look, simply plant their bulbs in random patterns around your garden

Plant in: September - November in partial shade

Flowers in: March - May

ALLIUMS

If you’re looking for late spring flowers to bring colour into your garden before the summer, then Alliums are ideal. Their striking spherical pompom-like flowers sit on tall stems and come in shades of mostly purple, but often pink and white too. Alliums look wonderful in a border and add a unique element to the structure of your garden

Plant in: September – October in sunny spot

Flowers in: May – June

IRIS

You’ll never grow tired of planting irises, since they come in such a vast spectrum of colours! Their beautiful, frilly petals have intricate markings on them, giving you a unique look in your beds. You can also grow irises in small pots, where they’ll add a delicate touch to your garden decor. As a bonus, bees love irises, meaning you’ll be able to give them a much-needed pollen boost early in the season once they come out of hibernation

Plant in: September – October in a sunny area

Flowers in: May - June