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For a UK spring display, plant spring-flowering bulbs in autumn: snowdrops and scillas are among the earliest to flower, while crocus and daffodils also bring color early in the season. Timing differs by bulb: RHS guidance recommends planting daffodils, crocus and hyacinths by the end of September, and tulips in November. These are UK seasonal recommendations, not dates to apply automatically in other regions or hemispheres.
Which spring flowers should you plant, and when?
Spring-flowering bulbs generally go into the ground in autumn. Many benefit from a cold period as they develop, and planting at the right time gives them a chance to establish before spring. The RHS identifies snowdrops and scillas among the earliest garden bulbs to flower.
| Flower | Flowering timing | RHS UK planting timing | Suitable settings and conditions |
|---|---|---|---|
| Snowdrops | Among the earliest spring bulbs; a precise flowering period is not stated by the RHS page. | Autumn; a more specific month is not stated. (RHS) | Not stated in the cited guidance. |
| Scillas | Among the earliest spring bulbs; a precise flowering period is not stated by the RHS page. | Autumn; a more specific month is not stated. (RHS) | Not stated in the cited guidance. |
| Crocus | Early spring; a precise flowering period is not stated in the cited guidance. | By the end of September. (RHS) | Borders, lawns and containers; follow the instructions for the particular crocus type. |
| Daffodils | Different species can flower from February through early May. | By the end of September. (RHS) | Borders, containers and grass; well-drained soil in sun or light shade. |
| Hyacinths | A flowering period is not stated in the cited guidance. | By the end of September. (RHS) | Not stated in the cited guidance. |
| Tulips | Later than early crocus in the suggested layered container display; a precise flowering period is not stated. | November. (RHS) | Can be used in borders or layered container displays; container bulbs should not touch. |
The RHS page dates were not provided in the source material; the guidance was accessed on 8 October 2026. If you are gardening outside the UK, check local advice for your climate rather than treating these months as universal.
Choose a spot for daffodils and crocus
Daffodils
Daffodils are a flexible choice for borders, containers or a natural-looking display in grass. With different species, flowering can run from February through early May. Give them well-drained soil in sun or light shade, and avoid waterlogged ground.
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Crocus
Spring-flowering crocuses are planted in autumn. The right depth depends on the type and setting: RHS guidance gives 7–10 cm for some small crocus types being naturalised, and around 12 cm for Dutch hybrids planted in lawns. Treat those as examples, not a universal depth; check the instructions supplied with your bulbs.
How to plant bulbs in a border
- Prepare the site. Choose ground with suitable drainage and light for the flowers you are planting. For daffodils, avoid waterlogged soil and choose sun or light shade.
- Set the depth. For most bulbs, make a hole two to three times as deep as the bulb is tall. Follow the bulb’s own instructions where they specify a different depth.
- Place and space each bulb. Point the shoot upwards. In borders, leave at least twice the bulb’s width between bulbs.
- Cover carefully. Backfill and firm the soil without pressing hard enough to damage the bulbs.
How to make a layered container display
Choose a pot with drainage holes and fill it with peat-free multipurpose compost. If drainage needs improvement, add grit. You can combine bulbs that flower at different times: place later tulips at the bottom, midseason daffodils above, and early crocus nearer the surface. In pots, bulbs can be closer together than in a border, but they should not touch. Use the depth guidance and bulb-pack instructions to position each layer.
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How to naturalise bulbs in grass
For a less formal effect, scatter bulbs over the planting area before making holes; this avoids rigid rows. Use a trowel or bulb planter, and select a patch that is not regularly walked on. The grass must be left unmown before and after flowering, so choose a place where you can keep that schedule.
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