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Flower bulbs not only embellish the waiting time in spring, they also set bright color accents with unusual flower shapes almost all year round. But when is the best time to plant?

In a nutshell

  • Flower bulbs are planted at different times of the year
  • Planting times in spring, summer and autumn
  • plant hardy summer bloomers in the fall before frost sets in
  • not sufficiently hardy varieties and species from around April/May
  • some late blooming bulbs even in midsummer

Different planting times

Flower bulbs can be planted all year round. In the following sections, you can read about what needs to be considered when planting at different times.

Planting time in spring

March to April

Planting times vary depending on the type and flowering times of the bulbs. Between March and April is the ideal time to plant hardy or less frost-sensitive onions.

  • Planting often in early or mid-March
  • as soon as the last night frosts are over
  • usually bloom in summer
  • depending on the variety from June/July until autumn
  • leave hardy bulbs in the ground through the winter
  • are getting bigger and more beautiful every year
  • Handel now offers the largest selection of flower bulbs
African lily (left), lily of the valley (right)

The flower bulbs that should be planted in the ground as early as March include some types of lilies such as B. African lilies (Agapanthus) or Turk's cap lily (Lilium martagon), lily of the valley (Convallaria majalis), Ixia (sticky sword) and summer hyacinth (Galtonia).

Tip: Frost-resistant summer bloomers can also find a place in pots, balcony boxes or tubs in spring.

late April to May

From the middle/end of April, after the last frost period, the time has come to plant non-hardy or only moderately hardy flower bulbs or summer flowering bulbs.

  • The floor should have a temperature of at least ten degrees
  • definitely wait for the last frosty nights
  • especially in very rough locations
  • even with particularly sensitive varieties
  • some of these beauties of exotic origin
  • sensitive shoot tips could be damaged or freeze to death
  • most summer bloomers cannot stay in the ground all year round
  • Dig up in late autumn and overwinter frost-free

If necessary, these summer bloomers in particular can be driven indoors at 15 degrees. Summer bloomers, which can be planted no earlier than the end of April, include both annual and perennial species. The majority loves warm, sunny and sheltered locations. The daylily (Hemerocallis), for example, can overwinter in the bed.

Yellow-red daylily (Hemerocallis fulva)

Tip: The group of frost-sensitive summer bloomers includes u. Anemone (Anemone), Ismene (Hymenocallis festalis), Jacob's Lily (Sprekelia formosissima) and Crested Lily (Eucomis).

Planting time in summer

Some special flower bulbs planted in summer have the longest preparation time and only open their flowers after almost a year. The bulbs should therefore be planted in midsummer of the previous year. These include i.a.

  • Autumn Goldcup (Sternbergia lutea)
  • Crown imperial (Fritillaria imperialis)
  • Madonna Lily (Lilium candidum)
  • Reticulated iris (Iris reticulata)
  • Steppe Candle (Eremurus)
Imperial crown (left), Madonna lily (right)

Planting time in autumn

Autumn is the main planting season for flower bulbs. Now the numerous spring bloomers can be planted. Spring bloomers should be planted in the soil while the days are still warm in autumn. However, they then need a cold period, i.e. the winter, in order to be able to bloom. Depending on the plant species, these bulbs bloom from March to June.

  • Optimal planting times in September and October
  • Soil still warm and already damp enough
  • depending on the weather conditions
  • Ground should not be frozen yet
  • Planting possible until December in frost-free soil
  • Ideally, the soil temperature should be permanently below 12 degrees
  • Better to wait if the weather is too mild
  • Root growth then not optimal
  • The result can be premature budding

A small selection

Puschkinia (left), grape hyacinth (right)

Cyclamen daffodil (Narcissus cyclamineus), squill (Scilla), fire lily (Lilium bulbiferum), spring crocus (Crocus vernus), spring star (Ipheion), garden hyacinth (Hyacinthus orientalis), dog's tooth lily (Erythronium dens-canis), Lesser snowdrop (Galanthus nivalis), snowflake (Leucojum vernum), daffodil (Narcissus pseudonarcissus), Puschkinia (Puschkinia scilloides), iris (Iris), grape hyacinth (Muscari), tulip (Tulipa) and ornamental onion (Allium).

frequently asked Questions

How long can onions be stored before the actual planting time?

As a rule, flower bulbs are sold at a time when they can also be planted. Ideally, you plant them immediately after purchase. If short-term storage is necessary, then it should be dry, cool, well ventilated and protected from light, for example in a garage or a basement that is not too humid. If you store them for too long, the onions can dry up and become unusable. You will definitely lose quality.

When can driving forward make sense?

You can usually do without it with spring bloomers from the trade. They were already exposed to the urgently needed cold stimulus in the cold store in the form of artificial cold. Direct planting is therefore possible. It makes more sense to encourage summer bloomers. The best time to do this is about three months before the desired flowering date.

What happens when propelling?

The normal hibernation is interrupted and the conditions required for budding are brought about in a targeted manner. This leads to a growth advantage, the flowering is brought forward. At the actual time of planting, you can place the plants that have already been brought into the garden and thus take advantage of the growth advantage. However, you should gradually get used to the sun or the new conditions.

Can bulbs forgotten in autumn still be planted in spring?

Some species can also be planted in spring, but not all. As already mentioned, early bloomers need a cold period in order to be able to bloom. If the right time has been missed, you can put them in plant pots and then place them in a cool but frost-free place. As soon as they start to sprout, put the pot outside

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Garden plants