Bulb Growing Guide - Spring Planting

Just follow these simple planting instructions and your bulbs will soon settle down and start to grow away.  For more detailed cultural and care instructions, please refer to one of the many good gardening books available from most booksellers.

Amaryllis belladonna (Ht 2ft/60cm)
Plant in April/May 12in/30cm apart with 6-8in/15-20cm of soil covering the bulb tops.  Plant in well-drained soil in a sunny position, ideally at the foot of a south- or west-facing wall.  Protect from hard frosts with a layer of peat or fleece.
 
Begonias (Ht 12-24in/30-60cm)
- for outdoor bedding  Plant in April/May 8-10in/20-25cm apart and 3-4in/8-10cm deep in well-drained, humus rich soil in full sun or partial shade.  For earlier flowering, start tubers off indoors in trays of moist peat, pressing firmly into the surface with hollow side uppermost.  Plant out only when all danger of frost has passed.
- for outdoor containers  Plant tubers in March/April 4-6in/10-15cm apart and 3-4in/8-10cm deep in John Innes No 2 or a soil-less compost.  Do not move containers outdoors until all danger of frost has passed.  Keep compost moist at all times.  Feed with dilute liquid fertiliser every 2 weeks.
- for pots in greenhouse/conservatory   Start tubers off in March/April as above before transferring each plant into a 6-8in/15-20cm pot of John Innes No 2 or soil-less compost.  Water and feed regularly.  To produce exhibition quality blooms, support the stems and remove the small outer buds from either side of the main, central, terminal bud on each stem.

Canna x hybrida Black Knight (Ht 2ft/60cm)
If growing in pots, start off in February/March indoors and move outside only when all danger of a late frost has passed.  Outdoors, plant the rhizomes only when all danger of frost has passed, setting them
12-18in/30-45cm apart in well-drained soil in a sheltered, sunny position and a depth such that the top of the crown is about 2in/5cm below the soil's surface.  After flowering and once the foliage has died back, lift the rhizomes, then clean and store them over winter in moist, but not wet, peat or leaf mould in a frost-free place

Crinum x powellii (Ht 2-3ft/60-90cm)
Plant in April 12-18in/30-45cm apart and 10-12in/25-30cm deep in rich, well-drained soil in an open, sunny position.  Water freely during prolonged, dry weather.  Protect emerging shoots with peat or fleece if frost threatens.

Crocosmia Lucifer (Ht 2-21/2 ft/60-75cm)
Plant in March/April 4-6in/10-15cm apart and 2-3in/5-8cm deep in well-drained but moisture retentive soil in an open, sunny position.  Water freely in prolonged dry weather.  Should be winter hardy but if in doubt, lift corms in late autumn and store in a frost-free place over winter.

Eucomis bicolour and Eucomis comosa (Ht 18-24in/45-60cm)
Plant in March/April 12-18in/30-45cm apart and 4-6in/10-15cm deep in fertile, free-draining soil in a sunny, sheltered position - the foot of a south- or west-facing wall is ideal.  In colder areas, it is advisable to cover the planting area with a mound of peat or well-rotted garden compost during the winter months.

Galtonia candicans (Ht 4ft/120cm)
Plant in March/April 6-8in/15-30cm apart and 6in/15cm deep in well-drained but moisture retentive soil in an open, sunny position or amongst early-flowering perennials.  Once established, leave undisturbed.

Gladiolus byzantinus (Ht 2ft/60cm)
Plant in March/April 4-6in/10-15cm apart and 3-4in/8-10cm deep in well-drained fertile soil in a sunny spot. Corms can be left undisturbed but lift and divide if they become overcrowded.

Gladiolus callianthus (Ht 3ft/90cm)  
Gladiolus x colvillei The Bride (Ht 2ft/60cm)
Plant March/April 4-6in/10-15cm apart and 4in/10cm deep (6in/15cm deep in light soils) in well-drained, fertile soil in a sunny position.  Allow foliage and stem to die back naturally.  Lift corms before the first hard frosts.  Remove foliage, clean corms and then store them in a frost-free place over winter.

Mirabilis jalapa (Ht 24in/60cm)
Plant in early April 12in/30cm apart in light, moderately rich soil in a sunny, sheltered position. Plant the tubers upright so that the rounded top is covered with about 2in/5cm of soil. After flowering and once the foliage has died back, lift the rhizomes, then clean and store them over winter in moist, but not wet, peat or leaf mould in a frost-free place.

Nerine bowdenii (Ht 24in/60cm)
Plant in late March/early April 6-8in/15-20cm apart and 4-6in/10-15cm deep in well-drained soil in a sunny spot.  Leave undisturbed until the clump becomes crowded - usually after four or five years - when the bulbs should be lifted, divided and replanted.  As the clump develops, bulbs may tend to become exposed on the soil surface and in colder parts of the country should be protected from sharp frosts by a layer of straw or fleece.

Nerine sarniensis (Ht 24in/60cm)
Plant in late March/early April 6-8in/15-20cm apart and 4-6in/10-15cm deep in well-drained soil in a sunny spot, ideally at the foot of a south- or west-facing wall.  Can be left in the ground over the winter in milder areas but, to minimise the possibility any of frost damage, it is advisable to protect with a layer of straw or fleece.  In colder districts, lift after the foliage has died back and store in a cool, dry, frost-free place.

Ornithogalum thyrsoides (Ht 18in/45cm)
Plant in late March/early April 4-6in/10-15cm apart and 4in/10cm deep in well-drained fertile soil in a sunny position.  Whilst corms can be lifted after flowering and stored over winter in a frost-free place, to be sure of having a good display it is recommended that you plant new corms each year.

Ornithogalum Mount Everest (Ht 3ft/90cm)
Plant in late March/early April 6-8in/15-20cm apart and 6in/15cm deep in well-drained fertile soil in a sunny, sheltered position.  After foliage dies back, remove it and then, before the winter sets in, cover with a thick layer of peat or leaf mould to protect bulbs against severe frosts.

Schizostylis coccinea (Ht 2ft/60cm)
Plant in mid/late March 9-12in/25-30cm apart and 4in/10cm deep in moist, fertile soil in a sunny, sheltered position.  Water freely in summer and during prolonged dry spells.  An annual mulch of peat or well-rotted garden compost will help to retain moisture.  Cut down any untidy growth in winter.  Leave rhizomes in the ground and allow them to spread.  Divide and re-plant when they become over-crowded.

Tigridia pavonia (Ht 18in/45cm)
Plant in late March/early April 4-6in/10-15cm apart and 4in/10cm deep in full sun in rich, well-drained soil that does not dry out.  Lift before the first hard frost, dry off, clean and then store over winter in dry sand or peat until the following spring

Tulbaghia violacea (Ht 10in/25cm)
Plant in late March/early April 10in/25cm apart and 4in/10cm deep in well-drained, humus rich soil in full sun or partial shade.  Remove foliage when it has died right back.  Leave rhizomes in the ground and allow them to spread.  Lift, divide and re-plant when they become over-crowded.

Zantedeschia rehmannii (Ht 6in/15cm)
Best grown in pots using John Innes No 2 or a soil-less compost.  Set single rhizomes in 6-8in/15-20cm diameter pots, covering with 2in/5cm of compost, or plant 6in/15cm apart in patio containers.  Water immediately and keep compost moist until growth appears.  Once growth appears water moderately, then, when in full leaf, give plenty of water.   Feed weekly from May onwards with a liquid fertiliser.  After flowering, gradually reduce watering and stop completely from the end of July.  Protect containers from frost. 

Zephyranthes rosea (Ht 6in/15cm)
Plant in late March/early April 8-10in/20-25cm apart and 4in/10cm deep at the front of the border in well-drained soil in full sun.  Alternatively plant a bit closer together in a suitable patio planter.  Protect outdoor grown bulbs with a layer of mulch during the winter months.