Perennial Power — Getting More from Your Spring Bulbs

Once your bulbs are in the ground, your work isn’t over. If you want a display that improves every year, a bit of care and planning goes a long way. Choosing the right bulbs in the first place makes a big difference. I wrote more about that in Planting with Foresight: Spring Bulbs Beyond the Basics.

1. Choose Naturalisers

Not all bulbs fade after one season. Look for:

• Species tulips (like Tulipa clusiana or T. tarda)

• Camassia for damp areas

• Narcissus poeticus and wild daffodils for longevity

  
  

2. Feed and Leave the Foliage

Once flowering finishes, give a liquid feed and resist cutting back the leaves until they turn yellow — they’re gathering strength for next year’s blooms.

3. Partner with Perennials

Plant bulbs among groundcovers like geranium, brunnera, or alchemilla, which hide fading foliage and help stabilise soil.

🌱 Tip of the Month

Every few years, lift crowded clumps once foliage has died back. Separate and replant immediately to spread the colour further.

Next time: we’ll turn our focus to winter — the beauty of finding shape in the winter garden