Layered Bulbs Are The Best Way To Get Gorgeous Flowers Year Round

While spring may feel a long way away when leaves change colors and temperatures drop, autumn is the ideal time to plant bulbs for a stunning spring display. A clever trick of layering your spring bulbs "lasagna style" ensures you'll have a lush planter or garden full of bulbs that bloom all spring long. You can also plant perennials like colorful creeping phlox with your spring bulbs for additional magic and to disguise the bulb foliage once it begins dying back in late spring and summer. If you opt to add in one or two evergreen elements as well, you'll have a gorgeous planter or garden with stunning year-round interest.

Spring bulbs generally grow best in full or part sun and require well-draining soil. Make sure the soil you opt to use for your layered bulbs is also relatively fertile, and add amendments or compost if necessary. While it may be tempting to plant summer flowering bulbs into your bulb lasagna as well, these should be instead planted in spring, after your last frost.

To begin layering your bulbs, start with the latest blooming flowers with large bulbs on the bottom. If you're planting directly into the ground, dig down to the required depth for these large bulbs, which is usually around 8 inches deep. If you're creating your bulb display in a pot or planter, then just put a few inches of potting soil in the bottom of the pot and place these large bulbs on top of that. Some good options for this bottom layer of bulbs include larger and later blooming daffodil, tulip, and allium cultivars. 

Next, add a few inches of soil and any required amendments before adding in your next bulb layer. These bulbs should likely end up being about 5 inches deep, so good options include jonquils and hyacinths. After adding in another few inches of potting soil and fertilizer, you can then add your last layer of bulbs. These will only be around 2 inches deep and can include muscaria, crocus, and snowdrop bulbs. Finally, cover these bulbs with another 2 inches of soil, water them well, and add a layer of mulch. Your strategically planted spring bulbs should then be ready to begin establishing their roots and waiting for spring.