Winter and Spring Flowering Bulbs

Make your garden pop with colour

Winter and spring-flowering bulbs bring a burst of color to the garden when most plants are dormant. In South Africa, our mild winters and cool springs create the perfect conditions for bulbs like daffodils, Dutch irises, freesias, and hyacinths to thrive. Whether planted in the ground, containers, or using the innovative lasagne planting method, bulbs are an easy way to create stunning seasonal displays.

Choosing the right bulbs

The key to success is selecting bulbs suited to South Africa’s climate. All bulbs on display at Lifestyle are suitable to be planted in the current season, so all you have to do is pick your favourites. Some of the best options include:

• Daffodils (Narcissus) – Cheerful yellow and white flowers, easy to grow.
• Dutch Irises – Hardy, easy to grow, and provide beautiful, elegant blooms.  
• Freesias – Wonderfully fragrant and great for cut flowers.
• Hyacinths – Compact and highly scented, perfect for pots.
• Ranunculus – Bold, multi-petaled flowers in vibrant colors.
• Ixia and Sparaxis – Indigenous South African bulbs that thrive in our conditions.

TIP: When buying bulbs, choose firm, plump ones and avoid any that are soft or moldy.

When and How to Plant Your Bulbs

For the best results, plant your bulbs in autumn (March to May/Early June) before the winter chill sets in. Our clever suppliers have taken the guess work out and have clearly labelled all their packets with planting and flowering times specific to our climate.

Steps for successful planting:

Choose a spot with the optimum light exposure – Most bulbs prefer full sun or light shade.

Prepare the soil – Loosen the soil and remove all rocks and large clumps. Bulbs prefer well-draining soil and will rot if waterlogged. Mix in lots of good quality compost and some organic bonemeal or 2:3:2 fertiliser.

Plant the bulbs at the right depth – A general rule is to plant bulbs 2-3 times their height deep. Place the bulb with the base on the soil and the growth point facing upwards.

Spacing matters – Space the bulbs according to the variety. The bulb packet will have details of planting distances. Avoid overcrowding as this will affect the bulbs’ growth.

Water well after planting and keep the soil slightly moist

Container planting? Use a well-draining potting mix and ensure your pots have adequate drainage holes. Place the pot in an area suitable to the bulbs’ light requirements and keep the soil moist.

Caring for Your Bulbs

Once planted, caring for your bulbs is easy peasy:

1. Watering: Keep the soil moist but not waterlogged. A good guideline is to water your bulbs deeply every four days if it doesn’t rain.
2. Feeding: Apply bulb food or an organic 3:1:5 fertiliser immediately after planting and every 2-3 weeks during active growth.
3. After Flowering: Don’t be tempted to cut back the plants after flowering. Allow the leaves to yellow and die off naturally—this helps the bulb store energy and food for next season’s bountiful flowering.

Lasagne anyone?

Lasagne planting is a space-saving method where bulbs are layered in a container or garden bed to create continuous blooms. The tallest bulbs are placed in the deepest layer, while smaller bulbs are placed in the top layer and the others in between. This results in a mixed bouquet-like pot of blooms where new flowers emerge w when the old ones fade!

How to Layer Bulbs

• Start with drainage – Add a layer of gravel, broken pottery or clay aggregate at the bottom of your pot, followed by 5cm of potting soil.
• First layer (deepest): Place large bulbs like daffodils or Freesia (15-20cm deep). Cover with a layer of potting soil.
• Second layer: Place medium-sized bulbs like Dutch iris or Ranunculus (approx. 10cm deep). Cover with a layer of potting soil.
• Top layer: Place small bulbs like Muscari or Leucojum (approx. 5cm deep). Cover with a final layer of potting soil.
• Water well and keep moist. Place in a suitably sunny spot and feed regularly with bulb food. Remember plants in pots dry out faster and need more regular watering and feeding.

Beautiful bulb combinations

• Classic Elegance: White Dutch Iris + purple hyacinths
• Bold & Bright: Red ranunculus + yellow daffodils
• Fragrant Delight: Freesias + Muscari in pots
• Indigenous Charm: Ixia + Sparaxis for a water-wise bed

With the right selection, proper planting, and a bit of care, your winter and spring bulbs will reward you with spectacular blooms year after year. Whether you’re planting them in pots or filling your garden beds with color, these bulbs bring joy and vibrancy to any space.

Ready to get planting? Let us know which bulbs you are excited to grow this season!