This End Up: Bulb-Planting Tips

Use these planting tips so you can enjoy a beautiful display of spring-flowering bulbs.

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Tulip

Daffodil

Allium

Crocus

Anemone

Grape Hyacinth

Crown Imperial

Hyacinth

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Tulip

Perhaps the best-recognized spring bulb, most high-quality tulip bulbs will be 2 to 3 inches tall and should be planted about 6 to 10 inches deep. Many experts say deeper planting helps the bulbs produce better flowers. Most tulips have flat bottoms; plant them pointy side up.

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Tulip

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Daffodil

One of the easiest spring-blooming bulbs to grow, plant most daffodils pointy side up and about 8 inches deep (plant miniature types about 4 inches deep). Note: The pointy ends of the daffodil are called noses. Look for bulbs with more than one nose -- they'll usually bloom the best.

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Daffodil

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Allium

There is a tremendous number of alliums available. Small types grow from bulbs no bigger than your thumbnail; big bulbs can be larger than your fist. Plant them from 2 to 12 inches deep depending on the size of the bulb. Most alliums have a flat bottom and pointy top; plant them pointy side up.

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Allium

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Crocus

One of spring's first bloomers, crocus come from little corms that look like miniature coconuts. Many corms will have a slightly pointed side; that side goes up. If the corms look the same, look for the little root scars on the bottom of the corm and place them with that side facing down. Plant the corms about 4 to 6 inches deep.

Crocus

Anemone

A charming poppy-like spring bloomer, anemone has little wrinkly tubers that look sort of like raisins. Plant them about 4 to 5 inches deep on their sides. For best results, soak them in water for a couple of hours before planting.

Anemone

charming poppy-like spring bloomer, anemone has little wrinkly tubers that look sort of like raisins. Plant them about 4 to 5 inches deep on their sides. For best results, soak them in water for a couple of hours before planting.

Grape Hyacinth

A great bulb for planting just about anywhere, grape hyacinths offer clusters of clear blue, purple, or white blooms. Like many true bulbs, grape hyacinths have pointy ends that you plant facing up. Plant them about 4 to 6 inches deep. Note: Grape hyacinths often send up foliage in autumn. This is nothing to worry about and won't keep the bulbs from blooming in spring.

Grape Hyacinth

Crown Imperial

A bulb you're not likely to miss, crown imperial bulbs are as large as your fist. Plant them about 8 inches deep at a slight angle so water doesn't sit in the dimple at the top of the bulb. Note: Crown imperials have a decidedly strong odor and may help prevent critters from digging up other nearby bulbs.

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Crown Imperial

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Hyacinth

Count on hyacinths to offer one of spring's sweetest scents. They're also some of the prettiest spring flowers. Plant the bulbs about 6 to 8 inches deep with the pointy sides facing up.

Hyacinth

Count on hyacinths to offer once of spring's sweetest scents. They're also some of the prettiest spring flowers. Plant the bulbs about 6 to 8 inches deep with the pointy sides facing up.

This End Up: Bulb-Planting Tips

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