How close should bulbs be planted together?

Groups of bulbs make a much nicer showing in your garden. To create greater color impact, plant clusters of same-color flowers together in blocks or "bouquets."

When you plant, bulbs should never touch each other, but you have a lot of flexibility.

Smaller bulbs, like crocus, snowdrops, dwarf Irises, scilla, anemones and lilies of the valley, can be planted fairly close together, 1" to 2" apart will create a nice cluster. Don't plant them more than 4" apart or they start to lose their impact.  

Larger bulbs, like tulips, daffodils and hyacinths, should have approximately 3" to 5" separating them. But this rule was meant to be broken. If you wish to create a bolder splash of color, you can plant them even closer, to the point where your bulbs are almost (but not quite) touching.

Click to find out more about when to plant your bulbs and how deep to plant them.

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