Planting Tips

Plant an Allium in full sun or light shade in any soil provided it is well-drained. They are very effective both in the wild garden or in the border where they will lengthen the flowering season. For best effect Alliums should be grown in clumps of 5 or more. Bulbs may be left undisturbed for years and should be lifted and separated only when they become too crowded. Plant bulbs in a hole 3 times their own height.
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15cm deep

20cm apart

The Anemone blanda do best in dappled shade but will tolerate full sun in northern regions. The daisy-like flowers are effective in drifts beneath deciduous trees or planted in between shrubs and perennials. They are deep rooting and the soil should be prepared to a depth of at least 20cm. A light dressing of well-rotted manure and leaf-mould in autumn every other year is beneficial. We prefer to give the dry black tubers a soaking in water overnight prior to planting.

8cm deep

10cm apart

Plant your Begonias with the hollow side faced upwards, shallow in the ground: you only need a thin layer of soil on top of the tuber, about 2 cm is enough. When planting it in a border, keep a distance of 25 cm in between the tubers. If you want to plant it in a pot, please choose big pots, as a grown Begonia is quite a large plant that requires a lot of water. By using a larger pot, you create a buffer in the amount of water, and therefore you reduce the chance of the Begonia drying out.
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20cm deep

25-30cm apart

They are an easy culture, quite hardy and do best in soil that is not too dry. A damp semi-wild grassy area or a bank near a stream would make an ideal location for the Camassia. It will, however, grow in any good garden soil in sun or light shade. Leave bulbs undisturbed until crowding makes dividing necessary in autumn. Fertilizer is usually not needed, but an application of compost or old manure on poor soils in autumn will be beneficiary.
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15cm deep

20cm apart

The bulbs naturalize readily by seeding themselves wherever they are left undisturbed. The Chionodoxa prefer light shade and a woodsy soil that is well-drained but not too dry. Little maintenance is required but a mulch of decayed manure and leaf-mould in the autumn once every two years will insure more and finer flowers each spring. Lift and divide overcrowded bulbs in autumn.

8cm deep

8cm apart

Plant the corms in any reasonably fertile well-drained soil in sun or light shade. For very early spring bloom they should be given a sunny protected spot. Crocuses are ideal for edgings, rock gardens, in pots, under hedges, beneath deciduous trees and shrubs, or for naturalizing in grass. If planted in a lawn, be sure to skip the crocus area for the first one or two mowings. Only when plantings have become too crowded should the corms be lifted, divided and planted again in autumn.
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8cm deep

8cm apart

Dahlias are summer blooming flowers, which is why they must be planted in spring, after last night frost, when the soil temperature reaches +15 degrees C. Plant each tuber about 40 cm apart for the tall flowering varieties or 30 cm apart for the shorter hybrids. If you think of planting your Dahlias in pots, please choose very large pots, as they need a lot of water during the hot summer months. The planting depth is always just below the ground, 2 cm deep is just perfect.
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2cm deep

30-40cm apart

Few bulbs are as lovely for lighting up a shady spot. Plant them in any shaded situation where there is a moderate degree of moisture. They enjoy a cool, organically rich, loamy soil but will grow in any good garden soil. The Erythronium bulbs should be disturbed as little as possible and benefit from a top-dressing with peat or leaf-mould in the autumn.

10cm deep

12cm apart

Plant the Fritillaria in bold groups in a soil which will not dry out in summer. They will take some sun but are best naturalized in short grass beneath mature trees as they enjoy partial shade. Remember to leave the grass uncut until July when the foliage has died down. Little fertilization is needed but the bulbs benefit from a top-dressing with leaf-mould or peat in autumn.

9cm deep

10cm apart

These large, exotic bulbs of Fritillaria imperialis are perfectly hardy but might take a year or so to settle down. Plant them hollow side up in full sun or light shade in fertile, deeply dug soil. They seem to prefer a somewhat heavy soil, in sandy soils work in some leaf-mould or compost before planting. They make good border plants and are particularly effective in front of a stone wall in groups of 5 or more. Fritillarias are heavy feeders and benefit from a mulch of decayed manure or leaf-mould in the autumn and some fertilizer in early spring.

15cm deep

25cm apart

Because of their extreme earliness snowdrops are great for lighting up bleak spots in the late winter garden. They prefer moist but well-drained soil and are best planted in drifts beneath deciduous trees where they receive protection from summer sunshine. It is the best of all bulbs for tucking away in little corners, under the edge of evergreens, against a hedge or in the rockery. Loosen the soil to a depth of at least 15cm for they are deep rooting and dislike shallow planting. They need little fertilization but will benefit from a mixture of decayed manure and leaf-mould in the autumn every other year.

10cm deep

8cm apart

They like at least half a day of sun both for blooming and ripening. An informal way to use hyacinths is to scatter them in small groups in and around the border where they will flower with the daffodils and early tulips. Don’t forget to plant some in pots close to the house for you will enjoy their sweet fragrance. In Holland hyacinths are often used in formal beds by planting the bulbs in geometric patterns. Lining up bulbs in single rows should be avoided. If you want a long bed of colour, plant them in rows of at least 4 bulbs wide. Left undisturbed they will bloom for several years. However, if large and uniform flowers are required, new bulbs should be planted each autumn.
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12cm deep

12cm apart

Bluebells are essentially woodland bulbs and are ideal for growing beneath deciduous trees where they enjoy partial shade and woodsy soil. Select a spot that is well-drained but not too dry. They even grow among evergreens where trees are not too dense and love the acid soil built up over the years by cones and needles. Spanish Bluebells take full sun too (English Bluebells are less tolerant). Drifts of Bluebells are beautiful among ferns and azaleas. They need little fertilization but will benefit from a mixture of decayed manure and leaf-mould in the autumn every other year.

10cm deep

12cm apart

In the wild Snowflakes are found in damp meadows and on river banks. They are a good choice for a spot where the soil is less than perfectly drained, especially on the edge of pond or stream. It will, however, grow in any good garden soil in sun or light shade but is rarely succesful in hot dry places. A mulching of compost or decayed manure in autumn every other year will bring more and better flowers. Lift and divide the bulbs in autumn when they become too crowded and more leaves than blooms are produced.

12cm deep

15cm apart

Lilies cannot be planted just anywhere, they need very fertile soil that is not too heavy. The soil must have a thick layer of humus. Lilies like damp but not overly wet soil, so it must be well-drained. Lilies can be planted anytime from October to March or April, even when temperatures are below freezing. Lilies can handle the cold well so long as they are not too exposed to wind and rain, as moisture can damage them. To plant lily bulbs, dig a trench that is 10-15cm deep and loosen up the soil. You can add fertilizer or a layer of humus if necessary. Place the bulbs in the trench with the point on top and cover them with a layer of soil. Plant lily bulbs in groups of three or five, keeping a distance of about 25-30cm between the bulbs.
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10-15cm deep

25-30cm apart

While they like sun, Grape Hyacinths thrive in almost any kind of open situation and in any kind of soil. Lifting and replanting in the autumn is necessary only if plantings become too crowded but usually they can be left alone for many years. An edge of Muscari lends a finishing touch to a border of mid-season Tulips and they make a fine spring association with white and yellow Daffodils. Don’t be alarmed when your Muscari form clumps of foliage in the autumn.
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8cm deep

10cm apart

To bloom well Daffodilsrequire about half a day of sun. Sometimes we hear that daffodils go ‘blind’ after a number of years. In most cases this is due to shallow planting, depriving the roots of the necessary moisture. Another reason is impoverished soil. It often pays to work in some compost or old manure before planting. Daffodil foliage persists for many weeks after flowering. If you want your bulbs to bloom again next season, you must wait for the leaves to turn yellow.

For extra feeding apply a slow-release granular fertilizer in early spring or just after they have flowered. In naturalizing Daffodils plant the bulbs farther apart than you would do for garden plantings. This spacing gives room for increase. Plant them in drifts or shoals for a naturalistic effect. Thus planted they may stay indefinitely. Daffodils are also excellent for growing in pots outdoors.
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Large Daffodils 15cm deep    Miniature daffodils 10cm deep

Large daffodils 15cm apart      Miniatrue Daffodils 10cm apart

The Ornithogalum grows almost anywhere but performs best in light shade. Plant the bulbs in open woodland, under shrubs, in a wild garden, or in grass which does not require cutting until the summer. They are charming rising among young fern shoots in late spring. Silver Bells prefer a well-drained soil containing organic material to retain summer moisture. They need little fertilization but will benefit from a mulching of compost in autumn. It will self seed or it may be propagated by dividing the bulbs after they have bloomed.

8cm deep

10cm apart

Scilla grows in most situations in sun or shade. The ideal soil would be fertile, moist but well-drained. The bulbs are suitable for naturalizing beneath light trees, under hedges, in the rockery or in the wild garden. Blue Squill self-sows with abandon: if left undisturbed, a handful of bulbs will over time form a thick, brilliant blue carpet in early spring. Little fertilization is needed but a mulch of well-rotted manure or leaf-mould applied in the autumn once every two years will be beneficial. Blue Squills are probably the best companion to any Daffodil planting.

8cm deep

8cm apart

They perform best in full sun but will tolerate some shade. Tulips dislike wetness and require well-drained soil. Single lines of Tulips are always disappointing; if you want a bold effect plant them in groups of at least 15-20 bulbs. Tulips make also good container plants and they are delightful cut flowers. Treat them like annuals where a perfect display is wanted. After flowering discard the bulbs and start with fresh stock each year. In the less formal garden, leave the bulbs in place for a ‘naturalistic’ effect for as long as they bloom. Flowers will be uneven in size and height but this will have its own special charm. Snap off the top of stems as soon as they finish blooming. This way the plant sends energy into bulb growth rather than seed production. Always allow the tulip foliage to wither completely before you remove it.
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Large garden Tulips 18cm deep
   Wild Tulips 12cm deep

Large garden Tulips 12cm apart
     Wild Tulips 8cm apart

Plant the Zantedeschia tubers at least 10 cm deep, of soil on top of the tuber, since they make roots on the lower end of the sprout that will grow out the upper side of the tuber. A good layer of soil on top of the plant is therefore very important, also when planting them in pots. If you choose to plant them in your border, make sure it is a sunny spot and if you choose pots instead, go for the bigger pots.
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10cm deep

-  cm apart

Plant Crocus sativus in a warm, sunny spot where it will receive plenty of direct sunlight. The soil must be well-drained to prevent waterlogging. Plant the bulbs 10–15 cm apart and 8–10 cm deep. Crocus sativus prefers drier conditions, she does not like wet feet.

These bulbs bloom in the fall and produce their distinctive purple flowers and red pistils. With proper care and sufficient sunlight, they will return year after year, adding beauty and a touch of luxury to your garden.

8-10cm deep

10-15cm apart

Plant the Crocus speciosus bulbs in early autumn in a sunny or slightly shaded spot. Choose well-drained soil to prevent waterlogging. Plant the bulbs 5–7 cm deep and 7–10 cm apart. These autumn flowering crocuses are winter hardy and bloom beautifully in mild climates.

For naturalization you can spread and plant the bulbs randomly.

5-7cm deep

7-10cm apart

This year we have the opportunity to offer her to you as well. Please plant her right away, best before the end of September, while it is still warm. Because of her tropical origins, this is the perfect plant for indoors. Use large pots, good soil and keep watering her until about mid May, when you place her on the sunniest and warmest windowsill in your house: S. madeirensis literally needs “to bake” in full sun over the summer months, when absolutely no water is needed. Once she shows signs of new growth in early fall, her life cycle starts again.

This special flower bulb will be shipped in September, before any of your spring bulbs, peonies or Amaryllises. We do not recommend planting her later in the season, since she may skip flowering if planted too late. If you live further South, e.g. Cyprus, Malta or in any South parts of Spain, Portugal, Italy or Greece, this beauty can be planted directly in the garden. However, I would still recommend you plant her in pots, since she is so special.

0cm deep

15cm apart