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Want a quick, dramatic way to bring colour and scent to your garden without breaking a sweat? Plant bulbs are like nature’s little fireworks: you plant them, wait patiently, and then watch a dazzling show. Whether you’re new to gardening or a seasoned plot pro, bulbs are reliable, affordable, and perfect for filling borders, pots, and lawns with seasonal cheer. In this guide I’ll walk you through the best UK retailers for buying bulbs, share practical planting tips measured in inches and feet, and give styling ideas so your beds pop from early spring through late summer.
Bulbs are the low-maintenance heroes of the gardening world. They store energy below ground so they can shoot up quickly and reward you with blooms even after cold snaps. Ready-made colour schemes, long-lasting blooms, and the ability to naturalise in lawns make them a versatile choice. Plus, many bulbs return year after year, meaning a little effort now yields payback in future seasons.
Looking for impact without hours of upkeep? Bulbs give you exactly that. They’re compact to store, easy to plant (often just a few inches under the soil), and can be bought in bulk for economical planting. Many varieties are deer-resistant or pollinator-friendly, and you can plant them in containers on a balcony as easily as in a full-size border.
Bulbs suit everyone: apartment gardeners who want pots of colour, homeowners with large borders, and anyone who likes a set-and-forget approach. If you love mixing hardscape with waves of seasonal colour, bulbs provide the backbone for a year-round display.
Choosing bulbs can feel like standing in a candy shop. To make life simpler, here are the classics that perform across the UK climate and why they’re worth planting.
Tulips are the showstoppers of spring. They come in a riot of colours, heights, and shapes, from short 6-8 inch varieties to tall 16-20 inch hybrids. They’re ideal for bold drifts and containers. Plant them about 6-8 inches deep and space them roughly 4-6 inches apart for a lush display.
Daffodils are the dependable, cheerful bulbs that naturalise easily. They’re perfect for cottage gardens and lawns. Plant daffodil bulbs about 6 inches deep with 4-6 inches spacing. Many varieties will cheerfully spread for years, giving more flowers each season.
Crocus are early risers—tiny but mighty. Plant them en masse for a carpet of colour in early spring. They’re shallow growers, so plant them about 3-4 inches deep and cluster several together for best effect.
If you want fragrance, hyacinths are your go-to. These compact, intensely scented bulbs look gorgeous in pots or at the front of borders. Plant hyacinths at a depth of about 4-6 inches to keep stems stable.
Alliums add architectural height with globe-like blooms on tall stems—great for late spring impact. Lilies give dramatic summer flowers and pair well with perennials. Alliums generally need 6-8 inches depth, while lilies can be deeper depending on the variety.
Shopping for bulbs online or in-store is easy when you know the reliable retailers. Below are respected UK names that supply quality bulbs across a range of budgets, from specialist nurseries to national garden centres.
Dobbies is a major garden centre chain offering a broad selection of bulbs from classics to trend-led varieties. You’ll find seasonal promotions, helpful planting advice, and options for both online shopping and in-person browsing at a local centre.
Crocus is an online specialist with a strong reputation for curated bulbs and high-quality stock. Known for vivid photography and helpful guides, Crocus is perfect if you want carefully chosen varieties and clear planting instructions sent straight to your door.
Thompson & Morgan are long-standing seed and bulb suppliers with a wide catalog covering unusual and heirloom varieties as well as garden staples. They’re a good choice if you enjoy experimenting with less common species alongside the familiar favourites.
Suttons offers a wide selection of bulbs and seeds and is well-regarded for straightforward, budget-friendly options and seasonal deals. Their catalogue often includes helpful mixing suggestions and planting depths so you don’t have to guess.
Sarah Raven is a boutique option for gardeners who want stylish, professionally selected bulbs. She focuses on design-led collections and often pairs bulbs with planting schemes—ideal if you’re aiming for a coordinated look.
Mr Fothergill’s and Primrose both supply accessible, good-value bulb packs. They’re perfect for gardeners who want reliable varieties without fuss—great for beginners and large garden projects alike.
National DIY-and-garden chains like B&Q and Homebase are superb for convenience. They stock seasonal bulbs at competitive prices and are handy if you want to pick up bulbs alongside compost and tools.
Not all bulbs are created equal. Choosing firm, plump bulbs without soft spots is crucial. Avoid bulbs that feel light—these can be dried out or hollow. Look for suppliers who provide planting depth and sizing information, and consider buying pre-chilled bulbs if you want an earlier display.
Bigger bulbs generally give you bigger flowers and more reliable results. Choose the largest healthy bulbs you can afford for bold blooms, especially for lilies and tulips where size correlates with performance.
If you’re planting a small border, a few packet choices are fine. For larger drifts, buying in bulk from a specialist will cut the cost per bulb dramatically and make it easier to create impact.
Planting bulbs is satisfying—and straightforward—if you follow a few key rules. Here’s an easy workflow to get bulbs into the ground and off to a healthy start.
Dig in compost or well-rotted manure to a depth of about 6-8 inches to improve drainage and fertility. Bulbs hate sitting in water, so make sure your soil doesn’t stay soggy after rain.
Place bulbs pointed end up at the recommended depth—often 4-8 inches depending on the type. Tulips prefer 6-8 inches, crocuses 3-4 inches, and larger lilies can go deeper. Space bulbs according to the pack advice; as a rule, keep them about two to three times their width apart.
Backfill soil, tamp gently, and add a 1-2 inch layer of mulch to conserve moisture and suppress weeds. Mulch also moderates temperature swings which can be helpful in variable spring weather.
Once shoots appear, the main jobs are feeding, deadheading, and leaving foliage to die back. Resist cutting leaves until they’re yellow and limp; the foliage channels nutrients back into the bulb for next year’s show.
Apply a balanced bulb fertiliser when shoots first appear and a light feed after flowering. Watering is usually only needed during dry spells; most bulbs are happy with natural rainfall in our UK climate.
Some bulbs like tulips can be left in place but may need lifting and replacement after a couple of years if performance fades. Daffodils and snowdrops often naturalise and spread, and only need dividing if they become too crowded.
Bulbs are incredibly flexible—use them for bold blocks of colour, gentle drifts through the lawn, or layered planting for continuous interest.
Planting bulbs en masse creates immediate impact. Imagine a swathe of tulips like a red carpet running through a border—dramatic and utterly Instagrammable. Use the same variety for unified colour, or mix several similar hues for a painterly effect.
Stagger bulbs with different flowering times: plant crocus and snowdrops for early spring, daffodils and tulips for mid-spring, and lilies for summer. That way, you’ll have colour for months rather than weeks.
Containers are a great way to control soil and exposure, and they’re perfect for terraces and balconies. Plant bulbs in tiers—bulbs at the bottom, seasonal perennials above—and tuck them into a sunny spot.
If you care about biodiversity, choose bulbs that support pollinators or are native to the UK. Early-flowering crocus and species tulips provide vital nectar for bees after winter. Avoid mass plantings of non-native invasive species that can upset local ecosystems.
Want a wildflower meadow vibe? Scatter naturalising bulbs like daffodils or snowdrops in an existing lawn and let them flower before cutting the grass. This creates a cottage-garden feel and gives pollinators food when they need it most.
Most spring-flowering bulbs are planted in autumn, usually between September and November, depending on the soil temperature. Autumn planting gives bulbs time to root before winter and ensures robust spring displays. Summer bulbs like lilies and some dahlias are planted in spring.
Retailers often discount bulbs out of season, so buying ahead can bag a bargain. Specialist suppliers release new varieties in the catalogue season, so sign up for newsletters if you want first pick of unusual types.
Bulbs are a brilliant, budget-friendly way to transform any UK garden—from tiny balconies to sprawling beds. Choose robust suppliers like Dobbies, Crocus, Thompson & Morgan, and Sarah Raven for quality stock, follow simple planting depths in inches, and plan your palette for a season that builds from early bulbs into summer favourites. With a little planning and a few handfuls of bulbs, you’ll create a garden that rewards you year after year.
