Spring bulbs – Everything you need to know about autumn-flowering bulbs
Spring bulbs are planted in the spring and bloom in the autumn, providing a colorful end to the gardening season. Here, we take a look at popular varieties and give you the best advice for planting and care.
As autumn approaches, it's time for spring bulbs to shine. But you do the work in the spring, because that's when you plant autumn-flowering spring bulbs. Remember to choose spring bulbs that bloom both early and late, so it will be lush and beautiful throughout the autumn. Feel free to plant them in pots, so you can move them around where they fit best.
Tip! If you combine spring bulbs (which bloom in autumn) with autumn bulbs (which bloom in spring), you can have a colorful garden that changes and develops with the seasons.
Popular varieties of spring bulbs
- Dahlia
A magnificent autumn flower, known for its impressive, colorful flower heads that brighten up the garden until late autumn. - Lily
Known for its large, often fragrant flowers in many colors and shapes. A favorite for late summer and early autumn flowering. - Gladiolus
Gladioli are classics in the late summer garden. They come in many different colors and provide a refreshment in beds and bouquets. - Autumn Crocus
Autumn crocuses offer vibrant colors and are excellent choices for those who want to extend the flowering season in the garden. - Ranunculus
Gives the garden a touch of elegance with its layers upon layers of petals, blooms in late summer and early autumn. - Begonia
This versatile plant continues to bloom into autumn and offers a colorful contrast to autumn's more subdued tones.
How to plant spring bulbs
Spring bulbs are planted in the spring and only bloom in the autumn. Many spring bulbs are actually tubers (like dahlia and ranunculus) and can benefit from being soaked so that they swell a little before planting. Spring bulbs thrive in well-drained soil that doesn't retain too much water, and in sun to partial shade.
Plant in the spring, when the risk of frost is over, as this gives the plants time to establish themselves during the summer and prepare for autumn flowering. If you want the spring bulbs to flower extra early, you can pre-sprout them indoors. This can be beneficial, especially for many dahlia varieties. If you live further north, there is otherwise a risk that they will not have time to flower before the frost arrives in the autumn.
Plant 2–3 times as deep as the bulb's height, and leave about 10–15 cm between the bulbs. Combine bulbs with different flowering times for continuous flowering in beds and pots. Plant them in layers so that they succeed each other.
Care tips for spring bulbs
- Watering
During the summer, when the plants are growing, they should be watered regularly – especially during dry periods. - Fertilizing
Fertilizer can be beneficial to promote good growth and flowering. Use a balanced fertilizer early in the summer to support the plants' development. - Monitoring and protecting
Keep an eye on your bulbs for signs of pests or diseases. Some spring bulbs may need protection from rodents and other animals. - Preparation for flowering
As autumn approaches, you can reduce watering as the temperature drops, but make sure the soil doesn't become completely dry. - After flowering
When the flowers have withered, cut off the flower stalks, but leave the bulb's leaves as long as they are green. The leaves help to gather energy in the bulb for the next growing season. If the plants are not hardy where you live, you can dig up the tubers and store them dry and cool.
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