5 tips for planting flower bulbs

Ultimately, flower bulbs are the key to a beautiful garden. Following these five tips should help you get stunning blooms year after year.

• Before you plant your flower bulbs, you should make sure that you're selecting the right ones. This can make it easier for your flower bulbs to grow and ensures that you get a flower that produces beautiful blooms.
• In general, try to pick the biggest flower bulbs you see and then inspect them for firmness. If the bulb is soft or has any mould on it, it may be a sign that the bulb is too sick to yield a flower.

• For most flowers, the best time to plant your bulb is in the fall. Garden stores and nurseries usually start selling their flower bulbs during the summer months, but you can also obtain some good deals on flowers in late fall. Stores are looking to get rid of their stock during that time period.
• Many flower bulbs, such as tulips, hyacinths and daffodils, can be planted in late fall. However, some ephemerals and other varieties should be planted in early fall, such as snowdrops, crocus and windflowers. Ask your local nursery or garden supply store which time is best to plant any bulbs that you purchase.

• Flower bulbs come in many different sizes, and this can influence how deep you'll want to plant. First, measure your flower bulb, and then plant it three to four times as deep as the actual size of your bulb. For example, if you have a three-centimetre bulb, you'll want to plant it about nine- to 12-centimetres deep.

• Many people are confused about which way they're actually supposed to plant their bulb, and the direction does matter for some types of flowers. For example, with tulips, daffodils and allium, you should plant with the pointed side of the bulb facing upwards.
• If you're unsure exactly which way to plant a bulb, it's often acceptable to plant your bulb sideways, as the flower will usually find its way through your soil to the surface.

• Some bulbs, such as wood anemone, snowdrop and lily of the valley, are known to grow well in shady conditions, as their natural environment is in woodlands, where they grow best with limited sunlight. Otherwise, most bulbs, including narcissus, tulips and grape hyacinth, do best with full sun.
• Try to plant your flowers in an area where they will receive at least eight hours of sunlight per day, unless they are in the minority of flower bulbs that enjoy shady conditions.