5 Garden Bulbs to Plant in February

Autumn is the probably the most well-known time to plant bulbs ready for spring, but planting certain bulbs in February can give you spectacular flowers in summer. Although February might not seem like an obvious month for gardening, tuck these bulbs into the earth now for beautiful blooms and an abundance of important pollinators this summer. You don’t need a garden with borders, either: all these gorgeous flowers can be grown in containers or pots. Gardening gloves at the ready…

LILIES

Lilies are pretty easy-going about when they’re planted: any time between autumn and spring is good. Pop them 15-20cm into the ground now and enjoy their dramatic, highly-scented flowers come summer. They prefer to be in a sunny area of the garden, and like their soil well-drained. If the ground in your garden is water-logged, they can be grown in pots – which is also good news if you’re a patio gardener. With their strong fragrance and plentiful pollen, open lilies are a hotspot for butterflies and bees.

EUCOMIS

More lilies! Actually, Eucomis isn’t officially a lily – but it gets its common name: pineapple lily, from its unusual looks. Tall spikes are covered in clusters of small flowers, with a tuft of bracts on the top that resembles a pineapple. Native to southern Africa, these impressive plants can thrive in the UK with the right care. Plant in February to early spring, 15cm deep in well-drained pots. Keep them there or move to flower beds, if you have them, once the frosts have passed. Bees are attracted to the scent of pineapple lilies, so you can look forward to watching them tuck into these exotic blooms in late summer.

LIATRIS

When they bloom in late summer, the feathery flowers of Liatris are an absolute magnet for bees and butterflies. Originating from North America, where they’re a perennial wildflower, Liatris plants are hardy and the bulbs or corms can be planted now. Bury them 5cm deep in pots of well-drained soil. When the frosts have gone, move to borders – or leave them in containers to brighten up a balcony, terrace or yard. When the purple or white, bottle brush-style flowers arrive, you’ll understand why this plant is also known as dense blazing star.

ALLIUMS

Bold, spherical clusters of flowers on tall stalks make alliums a stunning garden plant. Plus, they’re a big hit with bees and butterflies. Early summer bloomers, they’re best planted in autumn. But if you missed that window and have some allium bulbs, planting them in February is well worth a try. As with the other bulbs we’ve listed here, they need well-drained soil – and planting at a depth of about three or four times the diameter of the bulb itself. Again, they can be grown in pots, but choose a sheltered spot to avoid the lofty flowers getting blown over in strong winds.

GALTONIA

Another southern Africa native with tall, striking flowers: meet Galtonia. Also known as the ‘summer hyacinth’, this plant displays hundreds of snowdrop-like blooms from its tall stems come late summer. And you can plant it right now. Choose a sunny position with well-drained but moist soil and put the bulbs into the ground at a depth of 10-15cm. If you live in an area prone to frosts, start them off in pots. And if you are growing Galtonia in pots, note that they prefer a loamy soil. Plant now and look forward to beautiful, delicately-scented flowers that brim with nectar and are loved by bees.