How to Layer Bulbs in Containers for Continuous Blooms All Spring Known as bulb lasagna, the method creates beautiful blooms for months at a time. In This Article View All In This Article Benefits Steps Choosing Bulbs Overwintering Close Credit: aopsan / Getty Images Bulb layering is the process of planting different bulbs at varying depths to extend the blooming season. "When you layer bulbs correctly, you get a beautiful show of blooms," says Trent Brown, founder of Ground Break Design, a residential landscape design company. "Once those die back, you get another show of blooms to take their place. This can happen two or three times, depending on the bulbs you choose. Also called lasagna layering, bulb layering is usually done in containers, such as pots, urns, or deep boxes. The lowest layer of bulbs grows and works its way around the roots and plants of the upper layers inside the container, Brown explains. To help you master this gardening technique, we spoke to experts who shared their tips for layering bulbs in pots. When done correctly, these bulbs will fill your patio, porch, or balcony with season-long interest. Don't Miss 9 Mistakes You're Making When Planting Flower Bulbs—and How to Avoid Them How to Plant Flower Bulbs in Winter—Including How to Grow Them Indoors Benefits of Bulb Layering Bulb layering has a couple of benefits for gardeners. First, it's a big time saver as it allows you to plant all your bulbs at the same time, says Lucie Bradley, expert gardener with Easy Garden Irrigation. Additionally, by layering different varieties of spring-blooming plants, you can achieve a nearly constant stream of visual interest in your pots without having to replant, says Meredith Bishop, a specialty farmer and florist with Bloom & Bounty. How to Layer Bulbs Layering bulbs in pots and containers is a straightforward process any gardener can master. "Because many of the bulbs used in bulb layering need a period of cold stratification to bloom, it’s best to plant in fall in order to allow the bulbs to chill naturally over winter," says Bishop. To layer bulbs correctly, we're outlining the following steps from our experts. Choose your container: Select a pot that is at least 12 inches deep and in diameter. "As bulbs like free-draining compost, you also need to check there are adequate drainage holes," says Bradley. Add a layer of gravel: Bulbs will not thrive in soggy soil. Adding a layer of gravel at the bottom will ensure proper drainage. Add compost and bulb fibre: Bradley recommends using bulb compost or bulb fibre. "This has been specially developed to be free draining," she says. "Add a layer of this compost on top of the gravel so you have filled about a quarter of the pot's height—this is an important layer as your bulbs will be pushing their roots downwards." Lay the bottom bulbs: Add a layer of your largest bulbs, setting them right side up. For most bulbs, this will be the pointed side up, says Ondrea Kidd, lead floral designer and founder of Sowing Joy Farm in Post Falls, Idaho. "Tulips and allium are both good choices for this layer," Kidd says. Leave the space of one bulb in between each placement. Add a layer of compost: Cover the bottom bulbs with a 3- to 4-inch layer of compost. Add the middle bulbs: Next, add mid-sized bulbs, positioning them right side up. "Daffodils and hyacinths are good choices for this layer," Kidd says. Add another layer of compost. Add the top bulbs: Place small bulbs, such as crocus or grape hyacinths, about 2 to 3 inches from the surface of the pot, advises Matt Ramos, owner of Plant Sensation & Co. Fill in with compost: Top your last bulbs with a final layer of compost, being careful not to add too much. "If your bulbs are too deep, they will produce foliage rather than blooms," says Bradley. Water the compost so it is moist, but not dripping. Add mulch (optional): Adding a layer of mulch will help keep the compost moist and provide insulation in the colder temperatures. Lift your pot off the ground: Bradley recommends raising the container off the ground using pot feet, allowing excess water to drain. How to Choose Bulbs for Layering There are many factors to think about when choosing bulbs to layer. Flower varieties that work well for bulb layering include tulips, daffodils, crocus, snowflake, and fritillaries. "Because there are many hybrids available of the most popular spring bulbs, there are many different blooming windows to choose from," Bishop says. "When selecting bulbs for layering, pay attention to the bulb packaging—it should tell you if a bulb is early, mid, or late-blooming." Generally, these are the key factors to consider when curating your bulb display. Color Perhaps the most fun quality to plan is the visual appeal. Color is your playground, says Ramos. "You can go monochromatic for a chic, Martha-esque look, such as all shades of pink, or go bold with complementary colors, like purple hyacinths with yellow daffodils," he says. Bloom Time Bloom time is the most important consideration when layering bulbs in containers. "Usually, bulb layering consists of three layers, so you want to select three distinct flowering times," Bradley advises. "Think early spring, late spring, and early summer, and select bulbs that will flower at these times." Planting Depth Research the recommended planting depths for the bulbs you are using. The bulbs that can be planted close to the surface of the ground need to be in the top layer and be the earliest flowering bulbs, Bradley says. On the other hand, those at the base of the container need to be bulbs that will flourish when planted 11 or 12 inches deep. Care Requirements Give thought to the type of soil, sunlight, and water your bulbs need, and always plant bulbs together that have similar care requirements. "They will all be sharing the same compost and receiving the same temperature and moisture levels," Bradley points out. If you plant some bulbs that need full sun and minimal watering and others that need deep shade and a lot of moisture, your containers will likely fail. Because bulb layering can be overwhelming for first timers, Bradley recommends sticking with some of the most common bulbs. An arrangement to consider is tulips as the bottom layer, daffodils or hyacinths as the middle layer, and crocus or snowdrops as the top layer. How to Care for Bulbs Over Winter Spring-blooming bulbs need to undergo the cold of winter to bloom, Kidd says. After layering these bulbs in the fall, our experts recommend keeping them outdoors in a space protected from extreme winter weather. "A covered porch or greenhouse is ideal," Kidd says. "Check the moisture of the soil every couple of weeks and water if it is dry." To prevent mice, squirrels, or other visitors from digging up your bulbs while they are overwintering, Bradley recommends covering the top of the container with wire mesh. Explore more: Garden