How to Plant Small Spring Bulbs

Plant these small bulbs in fall, 3–4 inches deep, in sun or part shade where water never stands. This guide covers Spanish bluebells, glory of the snow, summer snowflake, winter aconite, drooping star of Bethlehem and pink carpet oxalis.

When to plant
Fall, as soon as your bulbs arrive and before the ground freezes. Plant winter aconite first; its tubers dry out if they wait
Depth
3–4 inches; 2–3 inches for winter aconite; 4–5 inches for drooping star of Bethlehem
Spacing
3–4 inches apart; 4–6 inches for Spanish bluebells; 6 inches for summer snowflake
Sun
Full sun to part shade; the ground under deciduous trees works well
Water
Water in after planting and during dry spells while the leaves are up; don't let winter aconite dry out completely, even in summer
Soil
Well-drained; winter aconite and summer snowflake like soil rich in organic matter, and summer snowflake also grows in damp ground

Step by step

  1. Soak winter aconite tubers in lukewarm water for about 12 hours before planting. Dry tubers often look hard and shriveled, and soaking plumps them up.
  2. Choose a spot in full sun or part shade where water doesn't stand. Lawns, borders, rock gardens and the ground under deciduous trees all work.
  3. Dig holes 3–4 inches deep. Go 2–3 inches deep for winter aconite and 4–5 inches for drooping star of Bethlehem.
  4. Set the bulbs pointed end up. Plant pink carpet oxalis with its whiskery roots facing down.
  5. Space most of them 3–4 inches apart. Give Spanish bluebells 4–6 inches and summer snowflake 6 inches. Plant in loose groups rather than single rows.
  6. Cover, firm the soil, and water well to settle it.

After bloom

Leave the leaves until they yellow and die back; they feed next year's flowers. In a lawn, wait 5–6 weeks after bloom before you mow. Spanish bluebells spread by seed and offsets, so snip off faded flower stalks before seed forms if you want to slow them. Star of Bethlehem spreads quickly too; give it room. Glory of the snow and winter aconite seed into wider patches. Leave summer snowflake undisturbed.