Choosing The Right Flower Bulbs: How To Select The Perfect Varieties For Your Garden

When it comes to planting bulbs in your garden, it is always best to have a plan rather than just randomly planting them in your flower beds. Flower bulbs are a great reminder even after the harshest of winters that spring is on the way and things do get better. They also add a touch of colour to your garden before other plants begin to flower. 

It is really important to know what type of garden you have so that you can choose the best flower bulbs for your environment:

1. Woodland garden

If you struggle for sunlight in your garden and have lots of trees you need to plant bulbs that thrive in these conditions. Some flower bulbs won’t survive in areas where they receive little sunlight, but woodland bulbs such as snowdrops and bluebells are perfect for shady gardens. 

2. Tidy garden

If you don’t have a large garden and are working with a patio or small balcony space, you will have to plant bulbs ‘above’ the ground in plant pots. The biggest advantage of planting bulbs like this is that you can provide optimal conditions for growth. Lots of flower bulbs are happy growing in pots or containers, but just bear in mind that the taller the plant, the larger the pot you will need. For example, daffodils will need a much larger pot than hyacinths. Hyacinths prefer an indoor environment too, so it is worth checking whether you are purchasing indoor or outdoor plant bulbs.

3. Country garden

If you have a large garden and wish to plant at least 50 bulbs then a ‘country garden’ arrangement is best. This is where you choose a few varieties of flower bulbs but plant lots of them all over the garden. Ice king daffodil bulbs open to a creamy yellow colour, before ageing to a stunning white as the flowers mature. They naturalise easily and will bloom year after year with their beautiful plain colours. If you prefer richer colours, tulips come in a variety of shades and make a real impact when planted on mass.

4. Easy garden

Most gardeners like a simple, but impactful planting arrangement which is easy to maintain and produces an array of flowers all year round. There is a bulb for every month of the year, so make sure when you are picking your bulbs that you choose a mixture that flowers from late winter to summer. For example, you could plant some tulips that flower around April time, then some allium bulbs that flower in June.

Planting & Caring for Flower Bulbs

Once you have decided on the bulbs you are going to plant in your garden, here are some tips to help them blossom into stunning flowers:

• Plant flower bulbs at a depth of three times their height, and space them according to the package instructions. You need to leave enough room for them to grow and not smother other bulbs or plants nearby.
• Water the bulbs thoroughly after you have planted them, and during the growing season ensure they are watered little and often. Make sure the soil remains moist but not waterlogged.
• Apply a layer of fresh compost when planting the bulbs as this will help provide them with added nutrients and will help retain moisture.
• Deadhead any old flowers as soon as possible so the bulb uses energy for growth rather than producing seeds.

Choosing the right flower bulbs for your garden depends on the climate, soil conditions and the specific needs of each type of bulb. By thinking about the conditions and also choosing the highest quality bulbs, your garden will bloom with colour throughout the seasons. 

For advice on selecting the best flower bulbs for your gardening project, contact our knowledgeable team at Boston Bulbs on 01775 769333, or email sales@bostonbulbswholesale.co.uk. We have a wide range of bulbs available, with options to suit both novice and avid gardeners.

The Boston Bulb Company has over 40 years of experience in supplying only the finest quality horticultural products from farmers and growers throughout the UK and Europe.