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Best Bulbs to Plant This Season for a Stunning Garden

  • Writer: Sarah Kay
    Sarah Kay
  • Oct 8
  • 1 min read

October is ideal for planting most bulbs, but it's best to wait until November for tulips to prevent tulip fire. Here are my top choices for bulbs that will create a vibrant spring display.


  1. Crocus tommassinianus

    Purple crocuses bloom in a garden with vivid orange pistils, set against a background of soil and rocks, creating a vibrant, spring mood.
    Crocus tommasinianus in my E5 garden

    Crocuses are among the earliest bulbs to emerge in late winter, offering delightful purple, pink, and violet flowers with vibrant orange stamens. Pollinating insects are also fond of them!


  1. Narcissi

Yellow daffodils bloom in a garden with a wooden fence backdrop. Green leaves and stems contrast with the earthy soil, creating a fresh spring scene.
Narcissi tete a tete in my E9 Romantic Garden

Dwarf narcissi, such as Tête-à-Tête, are charming in borders or when naturalised in lawns, marking the beginning of spring with their double nodding flowers.


  1. Muscari armeniacum

    Close-up of vibrant purple grape hyacinths with green leaves in the background, creating a lush, lively garden scene.
    Muscari armeniacum in my E2 Canalside Planting design

    Muscari armeniacum, commonly known as Grape Hyacinths, feature intensely blue flowers that bloom in April and May, making them ideal for naturalising in a lawn.


  1. Fritillaira meleagris

Close-up of purple checkered flowers with slender green leaves, set against a gravel background and soft-focus garden foliage.
Fritillaira meleagris in my N16 Elegant Front Garden

Fritillaria meleagris or 'Snakes head fritillaries' have a striking pink and purple chequerboard pattern. They prefer a slightly damp but well drained soil in partial shade.


  1. Alliums

Allium flowers with spherical blooms in shades of green and purple stand tall in a garden, surrounded by lush greenery and small white flowers.
Allium 'Purple Sensation' seed heads in my E11 Industiral Style Garden

Alliums are my favorite bulbs, featuring stunning purple or white spherical flowers and architecturally striking seed heads. They bloom in mid-May, and their seed heads endure well into the summer.


A general guideline is to plant bulbs at a depth three times their height. It's also advisable to mix horticultural grit into the planting hole and sprinkle a thin layer of chili powder on top to deter squirrels from digging them up.


Happy Planting!

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