Plan now for blooming Spring

Green fingered Britons are being advised to get planting now for a colourful spring display.

The experts at GardeningExpress.co.uk are encouraging gardeners to get creative with the daffodils and snowdrops for a riot of colour early next year.

The warm soil makes September and October the best months to plant spring bulbs, leaving  enough time for them to develop roots before they become dormant over winter.

They can be planted directly into the soil or in pots around the garden and can be left to look after themselves.

With so many varieties and eye-catching colours, they’re the perfect way to welcome in the warmer months.

Nick Wood from GardeningExpress.co.uk said: “If you love a riot of colour as Spring hits, now’s the time to start planting all your favourite bulbs. Nothing beats seeing new plants emerge as winter draws to a close and the days begin to warm up.

“Don’t restrict yourself to simply putting them into the ground – you could create a clever design or even a bulb lasagne where bulbs of different heights will flower one after each other.

“Think too about when they’ll flower. That way you’ll have interest in the garden through the spring and summer, rather than just a quick flurry at the beginning.”

Here are GardeningExpress.co.uk’s tips for using bulbs in the garden:

1. Masses of flowers

If you want a stunning display to kick off Spring, plant large groups of bulbs together. Try two or three different types of bulbs in a loose pattern following the shape of your flowerbed.

2. Colour

Planting one colour of bulbs looks great – planting multiple colours together can look amazing. To keep the cost down, think about using pre packaged bulbs in a mixture of colours.

3. Bulb lasagne

A bulb lasagne is when you plant layers of bulbs in pots. Put those that are likely to flower last at the bottom with layers of early flowering bulbs as you move up the pot. You’ll have a beautiful, colourful display crammed with blooms lasting throughout the spring months.

4. Create a meadow

If you want to create a meadowy feel, try planting crocus bulbs and grape hyacinth under trees or even scatter them over your lawn or garden and let them grow where they land.

5. Unusual varieties

All gardeners are familiar with the traditional daffodils, and snowdrops so how about looking for more unusual varieties? Take a look online to see what’s available and experiment with different species.

6. Plant with perennials

To mix things up, plant bulbs with perennials. Hardy bloomer pansies are great with Spring bulbs for a colourful start to the season.

For more on bulb care – https://help.gardeningexpress.co.uk/knowledge-base/how-to-plant-a-bulb/