Flower bulbs bring beautiful colors to your garden every spring, are easy to plant, and provide years of enjoyment. Discover our wide range of flower bulbs suitable for cutting.
Flower bulbs are one of the most versatile and atmospheric ways to bring any garden, balcony, or cut flower project to colorful bloom.
With their underground storage organs—think of true bulbs, tubers, and rhizomes—they store nutrients during their dormancy period that, as soon as the season begins, ensure a spectacular and powerful burst of flowers.
Within the category of flower bulbs, we roughly distinguish two main groups:
– Spring bloomers: these are planted in the autumn (usually between September and December) and bloom in the spring. Examples include tulips, daffodils, hyacinths, crocuses, and ornamental onions.
– Summer or autumn bloomers: these are planted in the spring and display their beauty during the warmer months. Think of dahlias, gladioli, callas, and other tuberous plants.
Additionally, there are varieties that, with a little extra care, can bloom or naturalize at other times, creating extra flexibility for the gardener.
Planting tips:
– Choose a location with good drainage, preferably in full sun or partial shade. Ensure the soil is loose and airy.
– As a rule of thumb: plant the bulb approximately twice its height deep. The spacing between bulbs depends on the variety — small bulbs close together, larger ones somewhat further apart.
– Plant spring bulbs in the autumn and summer bulbs in the spring, as soon as the risk of night frost has passed.
– Remove spent flowers (but leave the foliage until it dies back naturally), apply organic fertilizer if necessary, and protect sensitive tubers during severe winters.
The ideal planting time depends on the type of bulb. Spring-flowering bulbs (such as tulips, daffodils, and crocuses) should be planted in the fall—from September to December, before the first frost. Summer-flowering bulbs (such as dahlias, gladioli, and lilies) should be planted in the spring, as soon as the risk of night frost has passed.
A good rule of thumb is: plant the flower bulb two to three times as deep as the height of the bulb.
For example: plant a 5 cm tall bulb 10–15 cm deep. Make sure the point faces upwards and keep some distance between the bulbs so they have room to grow.
Absolutely! Many flower bulbs thrive in pots or containers. Use well-draining potting soil and ensure there's a drainage hole in the bottom of the pot so excess water can drain away. In winter, it's best to place pots of spring bulbs in a sheltered spot or cover them to protect them from severe frost.
Allow the foliage to die back naturally – the leaves will nourish the bulb for the next season. Only cut back when the foliage is completely yellow. You can leave the bulbs in the ground or dig them up, dry them, and store them in a cool place until the next planting season.
Some flower bulbs, such as daffodils and alliums, return year after year and even multiply. Tulips, on the other hand, often bloom best in their first year. If you want to reuse them, dig them up after flowering, let them dry, and store them in a cool, dark place until the following autumn.
