Bulbs for spring colour
Once winter begins to loosen its grip, it’s time for your garden to burst back into life. Spring-flowering bulbs are the true heralds of the new season, bringing weeks of uplifting colour from the very first snowdrops to the final late tulips. With a little planning in autumn, you can enjoy a succession of blooms that carry your garden beautifully through early, mid and late spring.
Plant spring bulbs in autumn, placing them around three times their depth into crumbly, moisture-retentive but free-draining soil. If your soil needs improvement, dig in plenty of organic matter first (we have well-rotted farmyard manure available in our garden centre) and add a handful of slow-release fertiliser such as bonemeal. This will help bulbs establish strong roots before winter and reward you with a vibrant display when temperatures rise.
Plant our top ten spring bulbs from the range in our garden centre in Chislehurst, Newchurch, Canterbury, Welling and Newport for a spring display that’s spectacular from the very first bloom to the last.
Snowdrops
The earliest sign of spring. These delicate white nodding flowers often appear while frost still lingers, naturalising beautifully beneath trees and in lawns.
Recommended varieties: Galanthus nivalis, Galanthus ‘Elwesii’
Crocus
Low-growing and jewel-bright, crocus are perfect for lawns, rockeries and containers. They’re also a vital early food source for pollinators.
Recommended varieties: Crocus tommasinianus, Crocus ‘Jeanne d’Arc’
Daffodils
Cheerful and reliable, daffodils bring sunshine shades of yellow, cream and white to borders and grass.
Recommended varieties: ‘Tête-à-Tête’, ‘Ice Follies’
Tulips
Elegant and endlessly varied, tulips provide bold blocks of colour or soft, romantic tones depending on your style.
Recommended varieties: ‘Queen of Night’, ‘Apricot Beauty’
Hyacinths
Compact spikes packed with richly scented flowers, ideal for containers near doorways and patios.
Recommended varieties: ‘Blue Jacket’, ‘Pink Pearl’
Alliums
Ornamental onions create striking globe-shaped flowerheads held proudly above the border in late spring.
Recommended varieties: ‘Purple Sensation’, ‘Globemaster’
Fritillaria
Distinctive and architectural, from the chequered petals of snake’s head fritillaries to the dramatic crown imperials.
Recommended varieties: Fritillaria meleagris, Fritillaria imperialis
Anemone blanda
Daisy-like flowers in shades of blue, pink and white that carpet the ground in early spring.
Recommended varieties: ‘Blue Shades’, ‘White Splendour’
Muscari (Grape Hyacinth)
Clusters of tiny bell-shaped flowers in vivid blues, perfect for edging borders or underplanting tulips.
Recommended varieties: ‘Armeniacum’, ‘Valerie Finnis’
Camassia
Elegant spires of starry flowers in soft blues and whites, ideal for naturalistic planting schemes.
Recommended varieties: ‘Leichtlinii’, ‘Quamash’
Please ask the staff in our Chislehurst, Newchurch, Canterbury, Welling and Newport garden centre for more information and advice about choosing and growing spring bulbs. We’re always happy to help you plan a display that will brighten your garden from the first hint of spring onwards.