The 8 best Spring bulbs to plant in 2023

Spring is the perfect time to plant bulbs in the UK. There are a wide variety of bulbs that can be planted in the spring, each with their own unique characteristics and benefits. Here are 8 of the best bulbs to plant in spring in the UK to get your garden off to a good start this year.

Daffodils

Daffodils, also known as Narcissus, are a popular spring-blooming bulb that belongs to the Amaryllidaceae family. They are native to Europe and North Africa and are known for their bright yellow and white trumpet-shaped flowers. They are hardy, easy to grow, and come in a wide range of sizes, from dwarf varieties to tall ones. They nature perennials, which means they will come back year after year. They typically bloom in late winter to early spring, and they are a reliable sign of the arrival of spring. Daffodils are also deer and rodent resistant. They can be planted in a variety of settings, including gardens, meadows, and naturalised areas. They are also popular as cut flowers, and they are a symbol of new beginnings and hope.

Tulips

Tulips are a popular spring-blooming bulb that belongs to the Liliaceae family. They are native to the mountainous regions of Central Asia and are known for their colourful, cup-shaped flowers that come in a wide range of colours, including red, pink, purple, yellow and white. They also come in different flower forms, such as single, double, and fringed. They are easy to grow and they will come back year after year. They typically bloom in late spring, and their blooming period can last for several weeks. Tulips are also popular as cut flowers, and they are often used in gardens, meadows, and as bedding plants. They are also available in different heights and sizes, making them versatile plants that can be used in a variety of garden settings.

Hyacinths

Hyacinths are spring-blooming bulbs that – like tulips –  belong to the Liliaceae family. They are known for their fragrant, dense spikes of flowers that come in a wide range of colours, including pink, purple, blue, and white. They are easy to grow and will come back year after year. They typically bloom in early to mid-spring and they are an excellent choice for adding fragrance to gardens and indoor spaces. They are also popular as cut flowers, and they are often used in rock gardens, borders, and as potted plants. Hyacinths are also available in different heights and sizes, making them versatile plants that can be used in a variety of garden settings. They are resistant to deer and rodents, making them ideal for most gardens.

Crocus

Crocus are a small, spring-blooming bulb that belongs to the Iridaceae family. They are known for their brightly coloured, cup-shaped flowers that come in a wide range of colours, including purple, yellow, and white. They are one of the first bulbs to bloom in the spring, often pushing through the snow. They are easy to grow and naturalize well, which means they will come back year after year. They typically bloom in early to mid-spring and they are an excellent choice for adding colour to gardens and meadow areas. They are also popular as cut flowers, and they are often used in rock gardens, borders, and as groundcovers. Crocuses are also available in different heights and sizes, making them versatile plants that can be used in a variety of garden settings. They are also deer and rodent resistant.

Dahlias

Dahlias are a popular flowering plant that belong to the Asteraceae family. They are native to Mexico and Central America and have been cultivated for centuries. They come in a wide range of colours, including red, pink, purple, yellow, and white. They are also available in different flower forms, such as cactus, decorative, ball, and waterlily. They are known for their large, showy blooms that can reach up to 12 inches in diameter. They are easy to grow, and they typically bloom from late spring to the first frost of autumn. Dahlias are also a good cut flowers, they are popular in gardens, and they can be used as bedding plants, in containers, or as cut flowers.

Snowdrops

Snowdrops are a small, spring-blooming bulb that belongs to the Amaryllidaceae family. They are known for their small, delicate white flowers that bloom early in the spring, often pushing through the snow. They are hardy, easy to grow, and are perennial flowers, which means they will come back year after year. They typically bloom in late winter to early spring and they are an excellent choice for adding colour to gardens and naturalized areas. They are also popular as cut flowers, and they are often used in rock gardens, borders, and as groundcovers. Snowdrops are also available in different heights and sizes, making them versatile plants that can be used in a variety of garden settings. They are also deer and rodent resistant. They are also known as ‘Galanthus’, which means “milk flower” in Greek.

Bluebells

Bluebells are a spring-blooming bulb that belongs to the Asparagaceae family. They are native to the UK and are known for their profuse clusters of blue, bell-shaped flowers that are very fragrant. They are hardy, easy to grow and they will come back year after year. They typically bloom in late spring and they are an excellent choice for adding colour and fragrance to gardens and borders. They are also popular as cut flowers, and they are often used in cottage gardens and meadows. Bluebells are also available in different heights and sizes, making them versatile plants that can be used in a variety of garden settings. They are deer and rodent resistant. Bluebells are sometimes called Hyacinthoides non-scripta, which means “non-scripted hyacinth-like” in Latin.

Alliums

Alliums are a type of flowering bulb that belong to the onion family (Alliaceae). They are native to the Northern hemisphere and come in a wide range of sizes, from small, 6-inch plants to large, 4-foot tall varieties. They are known for their large, round heads of tightly packed flowers that come in a variety of colours, including pink, purple, white, and blue. They are easy to grow and thrive in well-drained soil and full sun. Alliums are drought tolerant and deer resistant. They are typically planted in the autumn and will bloom in late spring to early summer. They are also a great cut flower and can be dried for long-lasting arrangements. Alliums are often used in cottage gardens, meadows, and borders. They are also a great companion plant for other spring bulbs, perennials, and annuals.

Although a fairly long list, these are just a few of the many beautiful spring bulbs that can plant in your garden borders, flowerbeds or pots. As soon as the weather warms up there’s no better reason to get out there and plant your spring bulbs so that you can start enjoying your garden!