Tulips & Bulbs: Spring Splendor Step by Step

Flower Bulbs – Spring in Reserve

The great thing about flower bulbs: you plant them in autumn, forget about them all winter – and in spring the garden explodes with color. No other group of plants gives so much impact for so little work.

The Most Popular Early Bloomers

Tulips (March–May):

• Over 3,000 varieties in every color and shape
• Single- and double-flowered, fringed, parrot-colored varieties
• Tip: combine different bloom times for 6–8 weeks of tulip color

Daffodils (March–April):

• Perennial and robust – return reliably every year
• Toxic to voles → can be planted unprotected

Hyacinths (March–April):

• Intense fragrance, compact blooms
• Ideal for pots and window boxes

Crocuses (February–March):

• The earliest heralds of spring
• Good for bees on their first outing

Allium (May–June):

• Huge spherical blooms, up to 15 cm across
• Good planted among perennials

When & How to Plant

Planting time: September to November – depending on region, up until the first frost.

Planting depth: rule of thumb: three times the bulb's height

• Tulip (large bulb): 15 cm deep
• Crocus (small bulb): 8 cm deep

Planting spacing:

• For maximum impact, plant densely: 5–8 cm for small varieties, 10–15 cm for large ones

Care & Tips

• After flowering: let the leaves die back completely (about 6 weeks) – the bulb is storing energy for next year
• Do not cut them back before the leaves have turned yellow!
• Lift, divide, and replant tulips every 3–4 years – prevents them from petering out

Layering for Extended Bloom

Lasagna planting: plant different types of bulbs in layers, one above the other:

• Bottom (20 cm): tulips
• Middle (12 cm): daffodils
• Top (8 cm): crocuses → Blooms from February to May with no extra work!