How to Plant a Bulb Lasagne

Bulb lasagnes are containers planted with bulbs in multiple layers for a succession of beautiful spring flowers. Here’s how to create them by layering potting mix and spring bulbs so that you have a wave of flowers from February to June. These are wonderful plantings to enjoy on your balcony, patio, porch, or just outside your front door.

For me, the first flowers of the year always emerge from planters next to the door or kitchen window. They never fail to put a smile on my face because they remind me that even though the days are still dark and cold, warmer days are on the way. Dainty white snowdrops usually appear first, followed by crocus, daffodils, and tulips. I love them all. I also plant many of these flowers together so that they bloom in the same pots.

Though you may have plans to plant bulbs in your flower beds and lawn, it’s well worth planting some in containers, too. They’re incredibly cheerful and add a splash of early color best enjoyed from the view out a window or doorway. You can plant containers with just a single type of bulb, but the show ends after one bloom. For continuous color from early to late spring, plant a bulb lasagne instead. All it takes is a few types of flower bulbs, planting materials, and about half an hour.

Lasagne Planting for Continuous Spring Blooms

The goal behind planting a bulb lasagne is to have flowers blooming throughout spring. The earliest bloom time could be snowdrops, and it could end with a burst of Dutch irises or allium flowers in late May to June. You do this by planting bulbs that flower at different times and at different depths in a single planter. When lasagna planting, plant smaller bulbs shallower than bigger ones, and as they grow, they gently push past one another on the way up to bloom.

In planters, you can crowd and layer bulbs to create displays more impressive than those in the garden. Creating a bulb lasagne is similar to making a pasta dish. Instead of lasagne sheets, cheese, and sauce, you layer potting mix and bulbs. This way, you can fit many more flowers in a small space and create beautiful, low-maintenance displays from late winter to late spring.

Most bulb lasagnes have two to three layers of bulbs, but you could have more if you’re using a larger pot. The video demo below shares how I’ve planted four layers of bulbs. It includes crocus, two types of iris, grape hyacinth, daffodil, and tulip bulbs. I chose the bulbs to give the longest flowering period possible, but you could keep yours much simpler. Planting just two types of bulbs can create a two-layer bulb lasagne. For example, a layer of narcissi and a layer of anemones (technically a rhizome) would give a burst of color in early and late spring.

Planning a Bulb Lasagne

The most important part of planning a bulb lasagne is choosing bulbs you can plant at different depths. Planting a thick layer of tulips about six inches deep and a moderately thick layer of muscari four inches deep means you’ll get many more bulbs in a single container!

Typically, you plant the larger bulbs toward the bottom, and the smallest bulbs nearer the top. As they grow, the shoots move around the plants above and find a way to the surface.

The second most important part of creating a bulb lasagne is choosing bulbs that bloom at different times. For example, snowdrops provide an early burst of blooms that then fade, making way for crocuses, daffodils, and tulips. It’s like a conveyor belt of spring flowers.

If you choose just two types of flowers and plant the bulbs thickly, you’ll get a BIG burst of flowers twice. You can plant many more types of bulbs for a longer display, but the impact will not be as big.

You can push this idea even further by planning for different flowers to bloom at the same time. For example, crocus with iris reticulata or grape hyacinth with daffodils. I’ve also had daffodils and early tulips blooming at the same time, as well as hyacinths and tulips. When planning for flowers to bloom at the same time, think about the colors and heights of the plants and flower stems. If you pair plants that don’t crowd one another and look good together, then you’re on to a winner.

How Many Bulbs to Use

You can use a lot of bulbs when planting a bulb lasagne, but the exact number depends on your container’s size and depth. It also depends on the variety of flower bulbs you choose. Some bulbs can be planted 2 inches deep; others at 3, 4, 5, or 6 inches, or even deeper.

You can create as many layers of bulbs as your container allows, as long as you space the bulbs out enough for the lower ones to push through. You can even plant the deepest layer so densely that the bulbs are right next to one another but not touching. Space the ones above at least an inch apart to let the lower plants grow through.

Sourcing Flower Bulbs

Flower bulbs are readily available through nurseries, online retailers, and even supermarkets in early to late autumn. You can also order from a specialized bulb distributor for higher-quality bulbs, bulk bulbs, and a wider range of types, colors, and shapes.

Although I purchase many bulbs from the local garden center, I also order spring-flowering bulbs online. The Skagit Valley is where tulips are grown commercially in the US, and you can get bulbs directly from farms such as Roozengaarde. For the best bulbs in the UK and Europe, consider ordering Dutch bulbs directly. Here are my picks for types of flower bulbs to plant in your bulb lasagne:

• Snowdrops
• Crocus
• Dwarf iris (Iris reticulata)
• Dutch iris (Iris × hollandica)
• Grape hyacinth (Muscari)
• Scillas
• Hyacinth
• Anemone
• Daffodil (Narcissus)
• Tulip
• Alliums

What You’ll Need for a Bulb Lasagne

You’ll need a few materials to create a bulb lasagne, including bulbs, a container, potting medium, and mulch. Once assembled, layer them so the bulbs have enough space to grow. Here’s your materials checklist:

• Flower bulbs, ideally, that will bloom at different times
• A container that is at least 12″ in diameter and 9″ deep. Terracotta is best because it breathes and has drainage holes at the bottom.
• Alpine gravel as a mulch
• Enough free-draining potting mix to fill the container
• Crocks (optional)

Potting Mix for Bulbs

The key feature of potting mix for planting bulb containers is its fertile, free-draining nature and its ability to absorb moisture. This generally means we don’t use garden soil, but a lightweight potting mix made of fibrous materials that create lots of air pockets. Though optional, you may also want to mix in bulb fertilizer to help the bulbs grow healthily. With so many bulbs in one pot, it can help them to grow strong and beautiful.

To add even more drainage, I usually work in a good amount of perlite (maybe 20-25% of the mix), vermiculite, or grit (tiny stones), depending on what I have. I prefer vermiculite because it acts like little rocky sponges for moisture, but doesn’t wet the potting mix. In containers, soil loses nutrients quickly, dries out, and can become rock hard. For this reason, you won’t see experienced gardeners use soil in pots and containers.

Add Potting Mix to the Container

For larger planters, I recommend moving them to their permanent (or overwintering) position before you begin. Containers can get very heavy once you start filling them. If you’re ready with your materials and bulbs, you can start by filling the bottom of the pot with at least two to three inches of potting mix.

How deep you fill it with potting mix depends on how deep the bottom layer of bulbs needs to go. If your deepest bulbs go five inches below the surface, measure that distance down, then add another inch. That extra inch accounts for the space from the top of the container to the surface of the potting mix. Don’t fill containers all the way to the top with potting mix. Bulbs on this lowest level also need space for their roots to grow underneath. I leave at least 2-3 inches.

Plant the Deepest Bulbs

Next, lay out the first layer of bulbs. These need the deepest planting space, and the bulb packaging should tell you how deep to plant them. These bulbs are usually relatively large. Space them out so no bulbs touch, but set them as thickly as possible for a big display. Remember that the pointy ends of the bulbs are the tops and need to point upward. Sometimes, bulbs will already be sprouting, which will show you how to place them.

After you lay them out, cover the bulbs with another layer of potting mix. At a minimum, it should cover the tops of the bulbs, but the depth depends on how deep the next layer of bulbs should be. Take out your measuring tape again and refer to the planting instructions for your bulbs.

If you’re unsure, plant them a little deeper than you initially thought. Bulbs planted a little deep have to work a little harder to come up in spring, but it’s usually no problem.

Plant More Layers of Bulbs

Next, layer bulbs that require less planting depth in the middle layer, spacing them out to avoid direct contact with the bulbs below. Ideally, space them about an inch apart, but a little more space is good, too. When the second layer of bulbs is spaced out, cover them with another layer of potting mix.

Add a third layer of bulbs on top, spacing them about an inch or more apart. Cover these bulbs with more potting mix. You could even add a fourth layer if you’d like, and your pot is deep enough.

Finish the Bulb Lasagne

Once you’ve planted all the bulbs, fill the container with potting mix to about 1 inch below the top edge. Gently press it down with your hands to firm the potting mix. Though I’ve seen other people recommend planting winter bedding plants such as pansies and violas on top for temporary interest, I don’t do this. That’s because I tend to see the bulbs’ leaves begin pushing through as early as January. Bedding plants could hinder their growth.

The last thing I recommend is to finish the top of the container with a fine layer of gravel or horticultural grit about 1/4″ to 1/2″ deep. This last layer serves several purposes: it keeps the container from drying out in spring, helps keep the potting mix from eroding, and stops weeds from taking root. It also looks nice! The bulbs below can push their way through without any issue at all.

Overwintering Bulb Lasagnes

I live in a place that gets cold but doesn’t tend to dip much below freezing in winter. That means that I can set my bulb lasagne planters out in their permanent position and leave them there until spring. Winter rains keep the potting mix moist, and the bulbs start sprouting in January, with some flowers even blooming by the end of that month.

If your winters are colder, your flowering times will be later, and you may want to consider overwintering your containers undercover. An unheated garage, shed, or greenhouse can all give the bulbs enough protection until it’s warm enough to bring them outside. Keep in mind that bulbs in containers are more exposed to the cold than bulbs planted in the ground. Tulips are especially susceptible to freezing temperatures and may not survive in containers if they dip below 30°F (-1.1°C).

Lastly, bulb rot is a real winter worry. It happens when bulbs sit in waterlogged soil or potting mix, so it’s best to take precautions. Free-draining potting mix helps move water out of the container, and setting the pot up off the ground with pot feet or bricks in winter helps. It’s a good idea to do this for all of your terracotta pots to stop them from freezing and cracking during cold periods.

Bulb Lasagne Aftercare

Now, the waiting game. Your container will look unexciting in autumn and winter unless you also plant the tops with winter bedding plants. Then, all of a sudden, you’ll begin to see perky green leaves pushing through the alpine gravel, and before you know it, you’ll see the first blooms! It doesn’t take as long as you’d think since it’s easy to get distracted by the holidays.

While your plants are growing, keep the container in a sunny spot and the potting mix moist. The best way to gauge when to water is to stick your fingers in the potting mix and feel it. If it seems dry, water it – which may mean watering it every day as spring rolls on. It’s also worth watering the container with a water-soluble feed for flowering plants weekly.

What to Do About Fading Foliage

A big question that a lot of people ask is, what do you do with the foliage and flowers once certain bulbs have finished flowering? They can look quite scruffy and get in the way of other plants. The answer depends on your perspective. Some people treat bulb lasagnes as an annual show and aren’t concerned about the bulbs flowering again. In this case, you can remove all the foliage, stems, and spent flowers to make way for the next wave of flowers. This will severely weaken the bulbs, though.

If you want the bulbs to flower again next year, leave the green leaves to charge up with sun energy. You can remove them once they begin yellowing or loosely weave them together and away from fresher green growth, but leave them on and in the sun for as long as possible. Your weekly feeds will also help those bulbs to bulk up for future displays.

Second-Year Displays

Many choose to replace bulb lasagnes every year, especially in containers. One reason is that the potting mix can become depleted of essential nutrients relatively quickly. Second, tulip bulbs often don’t flower as well in their second year.

In Britain, where I live, most tulips give a weaker second-year display, and only a small percentage continue to bloom in later years. There’s not much we can do about that except grow tulips bred to be “perennial.” All tulips are technically perennial, but some are bred to bloom consistently for years, even in places with slightly warmer winter temperatures than tulips prefer.

I tend to set bulb lasagnes someplace out of sight over the summer, then bring them out again for a second display in spring. After that, the tulips in the planting will put up less of a show, and the other bulbs may become congested. Each bulb produces offsets (babies), and an overcrowded container often leads to fewer and fewer consistent blooms. After a second display, I’ll deconstruct the container the following autumn and plant the bulbs out in the garden. Then I’ll plant new bulb lasagnes!

More Flower Garden Inspiration

Here’s a full video showing in detail how to plant a bulb lasagne. I made it a few years ago, and I only took the bulbs out to plant in the garden after this year’s display. I’m planning to plant more bulb lasagnes this autumn, though! I’ve also included more ideas for adding cottage garden plantings below.

• Create a Fairytale Cottage Garden
• How to Grow a Cut Flower Garden
• How to Plant a Wildflower Cottage Garden
• 50+ Flowers and Trees to Grow in a Bee-Friendly Garden