After a cold and gloomy winter, the magic of springtime in the garden means beds and borders are bursting with joyous blooms and colour, marking the start of longer and brighter days.

Autumn might be on our heels, but there’s no better time to start planning and planting spring flowering bulbs to make the most of glorious displays in early March to late May.

Extended summers with the hot, dry weather continuing into autumn months is nothing new. However, this warm autumn weather doesn’t give the best conditions to plant spring bulbs. It has an impact on soil, plus insects and other larger pests such as rabbits and voles are still enjoying the warmth and eating any delicious spring bulbs they might find!

If possible, start planting bulbs towards the end of September when hopefully the ground is cooler and damper, which enable roots to bed in before the first frost.

Spring into action

For some must have colourful spring displays that will return year on year, why not start planting these five spring staples?

Daffodils

The glowing, sunshine-yellow flower that’s at the top of everyone’s list. With over 56 species, it can be quite difficult to choose which ones to have in your garden! Plant between September and November in an area that gets full sun or partial shade.

Tulips

With their cheery and elegant petals, tulips often give us the first sight of colour in the garden come early spring. Some tulip varieties are perennial, meaning they come back year on year, and others provide us with a showy display only once. Plant your tulips a little later – mid-October is perfect.

Alliums

For spectacular spring displays that last well into summer, alliums provide us with that show-stopping pop of colour that we and pollinators love. They thrive in full sun and are drought tolerant. Plant from September.

Crocuses

Crocuses are one of the early spring blooms to brighten up your garden. They are low maintenance and extremely versatile enjoying full sun in beds, planters, baskets, rockeries and even grass. Plant between September and November.

Hyacinths

Hyacinths can be overlooked for the more well-known spring flowers, but with their bell-shaped blooms in a range of beautiful colours each with their own gorgeous fragrance, add them to borders and containers for a joyful spring scent. Grow in full to partial sun from October to December.

These bulbs bring spring vibes to all gardens no matter their shape of size. Whether in beds, borders, pots or planters, they will be blooming beautiful in just a few months.

Happy gardening!