With a few simple guidelines you will find that planting bulbs in the garden is simple. In a bulb planting guide we are looking at depth, soil, sun and drainage. And one of the most frequently asked questions regarding planting bulbs in the garden and containers is what is the correct depth, how deep do I plant these bulbs?
Not simple answer exists as each species requires different planting techniques, including different depths. Some bulbs require deep planting, other sit with the neck above soil level.
In general spring bulbs are planted 3 times as deep as the bulb is tall. However this really does vary with some bulbs, and summer bulbs especially the South African ones being another thing altogether, with many such as Amaryllis or Hippeastrum bulbs being planted with most of the bulb above the soil.
How Deep to plant flowering bulbs
Autumn Flowering Bulbs
Nerines – Plant with neck above soil in frost free environment
Spring Flowering Bulbs
Plant from Autumn and Winter to Early Spring
Crocus – plant 5cm deep will grow to 10cm
Jonquils – plant 15cm deep will grow to 50cm
Anemones – plant 5cm deep will grow to 30cm
Daffodils – plant 15cm deep will grow to 60cm
Mid Spring Flowering Bulbs
Hyacinths – plant 15cm deep will grow to 30cm
Freesias – plant 5cm deep will grow to 30cm
Grape Hyacinths – plant 10cm deep will grow to 20cm
Late Daffodils – plant 15 deep will grow to 60cm
Hoop Petticotes – plant 7cm deep will grow to 15cm
Ranunculi – plant 10cm deep will grow to 60cm
Puschkinia – Plant 8cm deep will grow to 15cm
Late Spring Flowering Bulbs
Rock Tulips – plant 20cm deep will grow to 15cm
Tulips – plant 20cm deep will grow to 60cm
Dutch Iris – plant 15cm deep will grow to 80cm
Wood Hyacinth – plant 7cm deep will grow to 35cm
Dahlia – plant 10cm deep will grow to 150cm
Begonias – plant 10cm deep will grow to 15cm
Tigridia – plant 7cm deep will grow to 30cm
Sparaxis – plant 7cm deep will grow to 20cm
Brodliae – plant 7cm deep will grow to 30cm
Liatris – plant 10cm deep will grow to 150cm
Camasia – plant 8cm deep will grow to 75cm
Allium – Varies greatly with species
Erythronium – 20cm (they seem to like being planted deep)
Fritillaria – 20 cm for larger bulbs such as F.Imperialis 10 cm for smaller bulbs.
Summer Flowering Bulbs
Gladiolus – plant 10cm deep will grow to 150cm
Eremurus – Plant 2cm deep will grow to 125cm
Galtonia – Plant 12cm deep Will grow to 110cm (depending on species)
Nectaroscordum 5cm deep will grow to 90cm
Amaryllis – Plant with neck above soil
When to plant bulbs
All bulbs are planted during dormancy, and in general require a well drained soil, bulbs can be grown in pots and containers and indoors.