🌷 Bulbs
🏙️ Balcony and terrace
🌿 In brief
Spring bulbs can be planted in pots from September to December, as long as the potting soil is not frozen, and from October to December for tulips and hyacinths. Choose a deep, free-draining pot, then stack the bulbs in three layers: the large ones at the bottom, the small ones at the top. Leave the pot outdoors all winter without overwatering: depending on the bulbs you choose, it will flower from February to July.
Planting bulbs means getting spring ready in just a few minutes. You don't need a garden: a deep pot on a balcony is enough for crocuses in February, daffodils in March, tulips in April and alliums in May. With the bulb lasagne method, a single pot can even flower non-stop for three months. Here is when to plant, which bulbs to choose and how to layer them.
When to plant
Spring bulbs need to spend the winter in the cold in order to flower. That is why they are planted in autumn, once the potting soil has cooled down but before it freezes.
September to November
Crocuses, grape hyacinths, squills, snowdrops, Grecian windflowers, corydalis, fritillaries, bluebells and summer snowflakes can be planted from September until the end of November. Daffodils and alliums can wait until December. The earlier they are planted, the more time they have to put down roots.
Tulips and hyacinths from October to December
They prefer potting soil that has already cooled. Planted too early in soil that is still warm, tulips are more prone to disease.
Before the frost
As long as the potting soil is not frozen, it is not too late. A bulb planted in December will simply flower a little later.
🌸 The exceptions
Ranunculus and poppy anemones are planted in October and November in mild climates, and rather in February or March where winters are harsh. Freesias are planted in spring, in April and May, to flower in summer.
Choosing your bulbs
A good bulb is firm and feels heavy in the hand, with no mould and no soft patches. Its size grade, in other words its circumference in centimetres, also matters: the bigger it is, the more generous the flowering. For a pot, combine species that flower at different times.
| Family | Flowering | Height | Depth in a pot | Lasagne layer |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Snowdrops | January to March | 15 to 25 cm | 8 to 10 cm | Top |
| Crocuses | February, March | 8 to 12 cm | 5 to 8 cm | Top |
| Squills, Grecian windflowers, corydalis | March, April | 10 to 20 cm | 5 to 8 cm | Top |
| Grape hyacinths | March to May | 10 to 30 cm | 7 to 10 cm | Top |
| Daffodils and narcissi | February to May | 15 to 50 cm | 8 to 15 cm | Middle |
| Hyacinths | March, April | 20 to 30 cm | 12 to 15 cm | Middle |
| Species tulips | March, April | 10 to 30 cm | 8 to 12 cm | Middle |
| Fritillaries, summer snowflakes, bluebells | April, May | 20 to 50 cm | 8 to 10 cm | Middle |
| Tulips | April, May | 30 to 60 cm | 15 to 20 cm | Bottom |
| Alliums | May to August | 40 cm to 1.20 m | 8 to 20 cm | Bottom |
| Camassias | May, June | 80 cm to 1.20 m | 10 cm | Bottom |
A simple rule for depth: about two to three times the height of the bulb, pointed end up. As for quantity, allow 15 to 20 crocuses or grape hyacinths in a 20 cm pot, 4 to 5 hyacinths in a 20 cm pot, 8 to 10 daffodils or 10 to 12 tulips in a 30 cm pot, and just 3 large alliums in a 30 cm pot.
🐾 If you have pets
Tulip, daffodil and hyacinth bulbs are toxic if eaten. Plant them out of reach of dogs and cats, following the same precautions as for keeping pets and plants together.
The right pot and potting soil
In a pot, a bulb spends several months in the same soil with no way of escaping excess water. Drainage is everything.
- A pot at least 30 cm in diameter and 30 to 35 cm deep for planting in three layers; a depth of 20 cm is enough for crocuses, grape hyacinths or species tulips on their own.
- One or more drainage holes, and a 3 to 5 cm layer of clay pebbles or gravel at the bottom.
- A light, free-draining potting soil, mixed with one third coarse sand or perlite.
- A frost-resistant pot, since it will spend the winter outdoors: composite material, thick plastic or terracotta guaranteed frost-proof.
- No fertiliser at planting time: the bulb already holds the reserves for its first flowering.
The bulb lasagne method
The idea: stack several varieties of bulbs at different depths in the same pot. The small bulbs flower first, then the stems of the next ones push up through them, and the pot stays in flower from February to May.
- Drainage: 3 to 5 cm of clay pebbles at the bottom, then potting soil up to 15 cm below the rim.
- The bottom layer, 15 cm deep: large, late-flowering bulbs, tulips or alliums. In a pot, you can plant them close together: just leave a finger's width between bulbs.
- Cover with potting soil up to 10 to 12 cm below the rim.
- The middle layer: narcissi or hyacinths, placed between the bulbs below rather than directly on top of them.
- Cover with potting soil up to 7 to 8 cm below the rim.
- The top layer: small, early bulbs, crocuses, grape hyacinths or squills, plenty of them and close together.
- Finish: potting soil up to 2 to 3 cm below the rim, a watering to settle it, and a label so you don't forget what is sleeping in the pot.
Three bulb lasagnes to try
| Look | Bottom layer | Middle layer | Top layer |
|---|---|---|---|
| Blue and white | White Triumph tulip | Narcissus 'Thalia' | Armenian grape hyacinth |
| Soft pink | Tulip 'Mata Hari' | Hyacinth 'Pastel Mix' | Large-flowered white crocus |
| Purple and blue | Purple Triumph tulip | Hyacinth 'Blue Water Mix' | Crocus 'Ruby Giant' |
Stick to two or three shades to combine colours harmoniously.
🎁 Ready-made mixes
If you would rather not choose, our spring bulb mixes already combine species that flower one after another: multicoloured, blue and white, pink and white or red, blue and white. Allow 20 to 25 bulbs for a 40 cm pot. For a balcony with little sun, the shade mix brings together bulbs that flower in partial shade.
Over the winter
Leave the pot outdoors
Spring bulbs need several weeks between 0 and 9 °C in order to flower. A pot brought into the warmth for the whole winter produces leaves, but few or no flowers. Place it against a sheltered wall, raised on pot feet so that water can drain away.
Water very little
Water only if the potting soil is dry several centimetres down, and never during frosty spells. Waterlogged soil rots bulbs far more surely than the cold does.
Protect during hard frosts
Below -5 °C, wrap the pot in horticultural fleece or bubble wrap, just as when overwintering the rest of your balcony: in a pot, bulbs are less protected than in the ground.
After flowering
As soon as the first shoots appear, move the pot into full light and water regularly. Once the flowers have faded:
- Remove the faded flowers, but keep the stems and leaves.
- Let the foliage turn yellow for about six weeks: this is what rebuilds the bulb for the following year.
- Feed with a fertiliser for flowering plants during this time.
- Daffodils, grape hyacinths, crocuses, squills, species tulips and alliums flower again reliably: leave them in the pot or plant them out in the garden.
- Tall tulips are less reliable at flowering again in pots: for a spectacular display, plant new ones every autumn.
Mistakes to avoid
⚠️ Avoid
Bringing the pot into the warmth for the winter. Without a cold period, most bulbs will not flower.
Forgetting about drainage. A pot with no hole or a heavy potting soil rots the bulbs before spring.
Planting too shallow. A bulb that is not buried deep enough produces floppy stems and flowers less.
Cutting back the foliage straight after flowering. The bulb becomes exhausted and does not flower the following year.
Planting bulbs upside down. If in doubt, lay the bulb on its side: the stem will find its way up.
Bulb families
You now know when and how to plant. Here are our main bulb families, to combine according to the flowering season you are aiming for.
Tulips
The queens of April and May, for the bottom layer. Triumph tulips come in solid colours: white, pink, red or purple. For something more unusual: double tulips such as 'Double Sensation', fringed tulips such as 'My Favourite Topping' or the viridiflora tulip 'Strawberry Lemonade'. Species tulips, which are shorter, suit small pots and flower again more reliably.
Daffodils and hyacinths
For the middle layer. The dwarf daffodil 'Tête-à-Tête' suits small pots, and the daffodil 'February Gold' opens the season as early as February. 'Thalia' and 'Mount Hood' add white, while double daffodils such as 'Golden Ducat' bring full, double flowers. Hyacinths fill the balcony with fragrance in March and April.
View all our daffodils and narcissi → · View all our hyacinths →
Small bulbs
The first to flower, sometimes as early as February, to plant in large numbers in the top layer or on their own in a shallow pot. Also worth trying: the giant snowdrop, the Grecian windflower, corydalis 'Beth Evans' and the snake's head fritillary.
Alliums
Their purple, lilac or white globes take over from May to August. In pots, go for medium-sized varieties; giants such as 'Gladiator' or 'Mount Everest' need a large, deep pot sheltered from the wind. To carry on into summer, add 'Ping Pong', which flowers in July.
Ready-to-plant mixes
Ready-made combinations for staggered flowering, without having to choose each variety.
Verdeia — Bulbs
Get ready for spring now
Tulips, daffodils, hyacinths, crocuses, grape hyacinths, alliums and ready-to-plant mixes: all our bulbs to plant this autumn for a balcony in flower from February to July.
Frequently asked questions
From September to December for most spring bulbs, and from October to December for tulips and hyacinths, as long as the potting soil is not frozen.
About two to three times the height of the bulb, pointed end up: 15 to 20 cm for tulips, 10 to 15 cm for daffodils, hyacinths and most alliums, 5 to 8 cm for crocuses and grape hyacinths.
Very little: only if the potting soil is dry several centimetres down, and never in frosty weather. Waterlogged soil makes bulbs rot.
Yes for daffodils, grape hyacinths, crocuses, squills, species tulips and alliums, provided you let the foliage turn yellow after flowering. Tall tulips are less reliable at flowering again in pots.
They need the winter cold in order to flower. Leave the pot outdoors, then bring it into a cool room when the buds start to colour so you can enjoy the flowers.
Well planted
A pot that sees out the winter
Frost-resistant pots and window boxes to settle your bulbs on the balcony from autumn onwards.
