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Daffodils, crocus and snowdrops add a beautiful splash of colour to grassy areas in spring. Plant these bulbs in autumn and they will flower in spring for many years to come.
Bulbs should be planted no deeper than three times their height, in other words with enough room for two bulbs to be placed on top of them.
Buy firm, undamaged bulbs. Snowdrop, crocus and daffodil bulbs are inexpensive and make a lovely spring display.
Choose an area of grass that can be left untidy for the early part of the year.
Scatter bulbs and plant them where they land to give a natural look.
A bulb planter is perfect for larger bulbs; a small trowel is also useful and tiny bulbs can be planted in holes made by a sharp stick.
Remove the turf plug and drop in the bulb, growing tip upwards. Use soil from the plug to firm in the bulb and replace the plug on top.
Several small bulbs can be planted in a larger hole; all of them with the growing tip upwards.
For large numbers of small bulbs the turf can be cut back using a spade. Cut the letter 'H' to a depth three times the height of the bulb.
Peel back the turf flaps, lightly fork the soil and scatter the bulbs, ensuring the growing tips are pointing upwards.
Close the flaps and firm gently into place, filling any gaps with compost. Water well so that the turf keeps on growing.
The following spring you'll see the planted area of your lawn come alive with a scattering of colourful flowers.
Wait until foliage has died back and gone brown, taking the goodness back to the bulb, before mowing the grass, around early June.
Deadhead daffodil bulbs after flowering but leave crocus and snowdrops to set seed.
Foliage will die back and turn yellow after around six weeks and normal mowing can resume.
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The Royal Horticultural Society is the UK’s leading gardening charity. We aim to enrich everyone’s life through plants, and make the UK a greener and more beautiful place.
