Bulbs ‘in the Green’ – Planting Instructions


Step 1

Check your bulbs against your order confirmation (sent previously). All items are posted separately so if you have ordered more than one item this will represent part of your order and the balance will be sent separately. If you want to check the status of the balance of your order please check our web site www.gardeningdirect.co.uk/despatch. Please do not phone simply to check where the balance of your order is-this helps us keep costs down and the price you pay low.


Step 2 - On Arrival

Carefully unpack your bulbs as soon as they arrive removing all packaging from the box (the box can be torn up and added to your compost heap).

For best results bulbs ‘in the green’ must be planted out straight away. If for any reason the ground is unsuitable for planting in straight away, your bulbs in the green can be temporarily planted in pots.

N.B. When planting (either into permanent site or pot) please ensure the bulbs are submerged in soil/compost and the green shoots are exposed.


Step 3 – Planting Out

As these bulbs are supplied already ‘in the green’ this means they should be planted out straight away in order to increase quality of flowers that year and a faster and more successful establishment for the following year.

How to plant Bulbs ‘in the Green’:

  • a) Ensure ground is not frozen/frosty at time of planting.
  • b) Very carefully separate the bulbs so they can be planted individually, be careful not to damage the stems or roots.
  • c) With a trowel or bulbs planter make individual holes for each bulb. Make sure each hole is 2-3 times the depth of the bulb.
  • d) Position a bulb in the hole, make sure the roots are at the bottom, pointed end of the bulb and green shoots are facing upwards.
  • e) Carefully fill the hole back in and firm down to secure the shoots into their upright position.
  • f) Ensure the bulb is not planted too deep: Around about a quarter of the green shoot should be submerged and the rest should be exposed out of the ground. If too much of the shoot is submerged it may rot and not produce any flowers in the first year.
  • g) Ensure the bulb is not planted too shallow: When planted too shallow the shoots tend to fall over instead of standing upright.
  • h) Once bulbs are planted water them in generously to settle the roots.
  • i) Water the bulbs once a day for their first week in the ground.

General Care

It’s easy to create a fantastic show with our Bulbs ‘in the Green’ that you can enjoy year after year. Please follow these simple general care instructions to keep you bulbs healthy.

  • a) To encourage first year flowers, plant out as soon as they arrive.
  • b) Water the bulbs once a day for their first week in the ground.
  • c) When bulbs have finished flowering do not cut them back, leave the green stems and leaves as they are until they have turned yellow/brown, then if necessary they can be cut back.

Our 100% Guarantee

Our plants, bulbs and hardware are guaranteed to give 100% satisfaction. Notify us within 14 days of receipt if it proves otherwise. We do not want you to have anything from Gardening Direct that is not completely satisfactory.

This does not affect your statutory rights.