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Three months of blooming – here’s how it works

By the editors, on November 4th 2025, reading time: 4 minutes

By the editors, on November 4th 2025, reading time: 4 minutes

Want to enjoy flowers for months—even without a garden?
With this clever method, you plant flower bulbs in layers, so they bloom one after the other. That way, you get one spot, three months of colour—from crocus to tulip. Also perfect for pots on your balcony or terrace.

What you need

You don’t need much to get started. With just a few simple materials and the right flower bulbs, you’ll have a layered bulb display that blooms for months in no time. 


Here’s what you’ll need:

  • Flower pot (±30 cm deep, with a hole in the bottom)
  • Hydro pellets or broken pots (for drainage)
  • Potting soil (for outdoor use)
  • Flower bulbs: tulips, hyacinths, daffodils and/or crocuses
  • Watering can or jug of water      

Step-by-step plan

Whether you have a big garden or just a balcony—anyone can plant flower bulbs in layers. With this simple step-by-step plan, you'll know exactly what you need and how to get started. In just a few easy steps, you’ll create a pot full of spring—easy, quick and fun to do.

Start with a layer of hydro pellets or broken pots of about 3 to 5 cm at the bottom if you're using a pot. This helps excess water drain properly and prevents the bulbs from rotting. On top of that, add a layer of potting soil of about 3 to 4 cm. This will be the foundation for your bottom bulb layer.

A) Bottom layer (tulips)

Tulips need a bit more depth, so they form the base of your pot. This layer will give you the grand finale of your floral show in May.


We start at the bottom with the late-blooming tulips.

  • Depth: ± 25 cm from the top edge
  • Quantity: 6 – 8 bulbs
  • Spacing: ± 5 cm
  • Cover with ± 5 cm of potting soil      

Shop tulips

B) Middle layer (hyacinths)

In the middle, plant hyacinths. They bloom with a lovely fragrance and perfectly fill the gap between early and late bloomers.


Hyacinths bring fragrance and colour.

  • Depth: ± 17 cm 
  • Quantity: 4 – 6 bulbs
  • Spacing: ± 8 cm
  • Cover with ± 5 cm of potting soil      

Shop hyacinths

C) Top layer (daffodils and/or crocuses)

Crocuses and mini daffodils are the first to appear, often as early as February or March. A cheerful start to your blooming season. 


At the very top, you plant the early bloomers.

  • Depth: about 7 – 10 cm 
  • Quantity: 6 – 8 bulbs
  • Spacing: about 4 – 6 cm
  • Fill up with potting soil until 1–2 cm below the rim      

Shop daffodils     Shop crocuses

D) Allium Schubertii: An Artistic Masterpiece

The Schubertii, with its unique flower shape, resembles a masterpiece of modern art

The flowers can reach an astonishing diameter of 20 cm. A unique eye-catcher that will steal your heart.

Shop the Allium 'Schubertii' - Purple with Pink  

When does what bloom 


Thanks to the clever layered planting method, your flower bulbs don’t all bloom at once, but instead one after the other. This gives you weeks of fresh blooms to look forward to—from the first crocus to the last tulip. Below you’ll see when to expect each flower.

With the layered setup, you’ll enjoy blooms from late February to late May:

  • Crocuses: late Feb – March 
  • Daffodils: March – April
  • Hyacinths: April
  • Tulips: mid-April – May     

The result: no hassle, three months of flowers.

Discover our collection
 

Share your questions 

Have you read our articles and still have unanswered questions about allium flower bulbs? Or do you just want to share your thoughts and opinions with us? Don’t hesitate, because we’d love to hear how we can provide you with even more inspiration.

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