Spring has sprung, and nothing beats looking out your window at a garden full of freshly bloomed flowers after a long and bleak winter. But if you’re still looking at bare soil even with the onset of the warmer weather, you might have forgotten to plant those all-important spring bulbs.

If you’re just getting to grips with the gardening scene and want to be fully prepared for the seasons ahead, here are some of the best spring flowers to plant for your enjoyment once winter is given its marching orders.

Daffodils

Spring and daffodils go hand in hand. When you see daffodils popping up in the unlikeliest of places, you know winter has finally ended.

You can plant daffodils any time from March until the end of May. However, when you plant them can often dictate when they start to flower. You also need to plant daffodils in well-drained soil in an area that experiences full sun.

Tulips

Out of all spring bulbs, tulips would have to be one of the most beautiful. They stand out from the crowd, and many gardeners describe them as show stoppers, no matter which variety you choose.

Surprisingly, tulips are reasonably easy to grow, as long as you plant them in a sunny spot within well-draining soil. Tulip bulbs also benefit from being placed in a paper bag in the fridge for 1.5-2 months before planting in May. Always plant at 8-10cm deep and 10-15cm apart. Keep the soil cool by applying a layer of mulch once planted.

Poppies

When you want to ensure your gardens look vibrant through winter and spring, consider planting poppies. Poppies are straightforward to grow from seed, and you stand the best chance of success if you plant them from late August to early September.

Poppies require rich soil and full sun to thrive. You might also see the value in providing them with a nutrient-rich flower mix. Whether you plant them in pots, containers, or in a traditional garden, you’ll be pleased you took the time to add poppies to your landscape.

Hyacinths

Add hyacinths to your shopping cart when nothing short of full vibrancy in your garden will do. Hyacinths are fragrant spring flowering bulbs that you can grow in your garden, containers, or pots.

Dig the soil over, add compost, and plant your bulbs 10cm below the soil level with the tips facing upwards. Space the bulbs about 10cm apart, but reduce that spacing by half if you’re planting in mass. While there can be a bit of work involved in growing them, you’ll know it was all worth it when they start to flower in spring.

Ranunculus

Are you trying to achieve a sophisticated spring garden look? Don’t look past ranunculus. These popular bulb flowers are available in a wide range of colours, like white, purple, orange, and yellow, and can be planted on their own or in borders.

They grow up to 60cm in cold to temperate areas and prefer well-drained loam soil with organic matter added. Ranunculus also flower better in full sun.

Choose an open area in your garden that receives plenty of direct sunlight daily, and plant your bulbs between mid-January to mid-May. Before introducing them to the soil, keep your bulbs in the fridge and soak them in water for at least two hours before planting. Place them up to 5cm deep in soil with the claw facing down, and place one bulb every 15-20cm.

Hebes

Gardening can sometimes be an overwhelming activity, especially when you have to keep track of the best times of the year to plant your favourite flowers. That’s less of a problem with hebe, which can be planted at any time of the year.

This beautiful flowering plant thrives in compost-enriched soil and full sun. It should also be planted at the same depth as when positioned in the pot you purchased it in.

Snapdragons

Snapdragons are unique and beautiful flowers that can’t help but put a smile on your face when you see them bloom for the first time. And fortunately for new gardeners, they are easier than you think to grow.

You can plant snapdragons in free-draining fertile soil positioned in full sun. Sprinkle your snapdragon seeds on the soil’s surface, then gently press them in. Snapdragon seeds need light to germinate, so don’t cover them up once you’ve planted them. Make sure you keep the soil evenly moist but refrain from overwatering them.

Spring Has Sprung, Get Planting!

If you want next spring to arrive with a hiss and a roar, it’s time to get planting! The more spring bulbs you plant, the more vibrant and beautiful your garden can look when spring rolls around once more.

If you need a helping hand, there are bound to be plenty of gardening experts in your area to assist in creating a garden you can be proud of.