What to plant with spring bulbs
- BBC Gardeners' World Magazine
Published: Wednesday, 8 January 2020 at 4:34 pm
Planting bulbs with other plants can really enhance their beauty. Browse our favourite planting combinations.
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Growing spring bulbs is one of the easiest ways to give your garden a colour boost after a long winter. No matter what size your space – or how full it may be – there's always room for a few bulbs, whether squeezed in between other plants or in a pot.
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To help you put on a dazzling show next spring and beyond, we've put together stylish combinations of bulbs with complementary plants. If you can't find the exact varieties we've used, look for similar colours and let your imagination run wild.
Related content:
- How to layer bulbs in a pot
- 10 bulbs for spring cut flowers
- How to plant bulbs in lawns
Follow our ideas and enjoy great displays around your garden in spring.
Snowdrop and aconite
The bulbs of snowdrop, Galanthus nivalis, and winter aconite, Eranthis hyemalis, are best planted in drifts beneath deciduous shrubs and trees. Enrich the soil with compost before planting.
At its best: January to February
A clump of white snowdrops with yellow winter aconites
Cyclamen and hellebore
Cyclamen persicum 'Miracle Deep Rose' creates a swathe of pink beneath the dusky Helleborus atrorubens. This mix is perfect in the shade below deciduous trees or next to a wall.
At its best: Feb-Mar
Pink and white cyclamen beneath dusky hellebores
Tulip and primula
The creamy white flowers of the early Tulipa 'Purissima', look striking above the scarlet of low-cost winter bedding, primula. A good combination for a container but also works in the ground.
At its best: March to April
White 'Purissima' tulips above red primulas
Grape hyacinth and ipheion
In this combination the deep blue of the Muscari armeniacum complements the sky blue of Ipheion 'Rolf Fiedler'. Both bulbs like a sheltered site that's very sunny in summer.
At its best: March to April
Deep-blue muscari with complementary sky-blue ipheion
Eremurus and thapsia
An unusual but striking mix of stately spikes and starburst flowerheads that will light up the back of a border. Give these plants a sunny, well-drained spot. Wear gloves to plant the thapsia as the roots are poisonous and can irritate skin.
At its best: June
Beige eremurus spires with starburst yellow thapsia
Trillium and dog's tooth violet
The wine-red Trillium sessile and pastel pink dog's tooth violet, Erythronium revolutum, are offset by flecked and marbled leaves. Both plants like rich, moist soil, so avoid the base of thirsty trees and shrubs.
At its best: April
Wine-red trilliums and pastel-pink dog's tooth violets, both with marbled leaves
Anemone and euphorbia
The red stems and lime green flowers of Euphorbia amygdaloides 'Efanthia' set off the starry blooms of Anemone blanda. Undisturbed, the anemones will spread to form a carpet of white.
At its best: April
Starry, white anemone blooms with red stems and lime green flowers of euphorbia
Camassia and euphorbia
The yellow of the Euphorbia amygdaloides var. robbiae contrasts with the lavender blue of the Camassia leichtlinii Caerulea Group. Both plants love heavy, moist soil.
At its best: May
Pale-blue camassia with lime green euphorbia
Tulips and daffodils
The mix of flower shapes and pale yellows in this combination works beautifully. The narcissi begin to bloom in March while the tulips continue the display until May. Leave the foliage to die back naturally.
At its best: April
Pale-yellow tulips and daffodils planted together
Bronze fennel and tulips
This simple, contemporary mix of ruby-red tulip bowls and clouds of feathery bronze. Perfect for a sunny spot. The tulips will bloom throughout April to be replaced by the acid-yellow flowers of the fennel in midsummer.
At its best: April
Feathery bronze fennel foliage with ruby-red tulips
Hyacinths, muscari and violas
This heady blend of indigo, purple and blue creates an arresting spring display for the front of a sunny border. Deadhead the violas regularly and they'll flower continuously.
At its best: March to April
Purple hyacinth and violas with blue muscari, in a wicker container
Snowdrops, primulas and cyclamen
Just three, unassuming plants, the snowdrop, primula and cyclamen, are enough to signal the start of a new season – and early bees will love them.
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At its peak: February
Clumps of snowdrops, primulas and cyclamen growing together on mossy ground
Planning and planting
Autumn is the ideal time to start planning and planting for next spring. Identify the sections of your garden that could do with a colour boost and then all you have to do is pick a suitable planting combination to enjoy bulb-filled borders.
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