Want to start spring with an explosion of colour in your garden or on your balcony or terrace? Then look into the magic of lasagne planting with flower bulbs.
Lasagne planting is the clever technique for enjoying an ever-changing, months-long colour palette. Planting bulbs in several layers – just like the famous Italian pasta dish – allows the bulbs to bloom one after the other. So you’ll get to enjoy a continuous display of new flowers, from the first crocus to the last tulip.
How does it work?
The principle is simple: you plant the flower bulbs in layers. Late-flowering blooms, such as tulips, daffodils and hyacinths, get planted at the bottom of the pot or border, where the soil is coldest. Plant the mid-early varieties above that layer and then the early bloomers such as crocuses, grape hyacinths or snowdrops go at the top. Cover each layer with potting soil. This creates a ‘flower lasagne’ that provides colour from February into May.
Practical tips
- Use a spacious pot or container with holes in the bottom for proper drainage.
- Start with a layer of hydroponic clay pebbles or pot shards and then add potting soil.
- Plant the bulbs close together in each layer but make sure they are not touching.
- Alternate each bulb layer with a layer of potting soil.
- After planting, water thoroughly and put the pot in a visible location.
Lasagne planting also works excellently in the open ground. Dig a deep hole and follow the same steps as for a pot.
Inspiration for beautiful combinations
Choose tone-on-tone for a calming effect or go for a cheerful mix of bright colours. Some inspiration combinations:
- Top layer: crocuses, poppy anemones, snowdrops
- Middle layer: hyacinths, daffodils
- Bottom layer: tulips, including the keizerskroon tulip
Unleash your creativity and play with various flowering times for an extra-long season.
Why choose lasagne planting?
- A prolonged flowering season: Successive flowering means you can enjoy an extra-long season of blooms.
- A continuous surprise: Different new blooms appear every few weeks.
- Suitable for any outdoor space: Ideal for the garden, balcony and terrace.
- Simplicity: Easy to do, even without a green thumb.
