how far apart should bulbs be planted?

Question

I followed instructions on the package for my lilies, tulips, and daffodils, measuring how deep and how far apart. BUT now they look so sparse! I thought maybe they would spread, but they didn't. How do people get the thick bunches of tulips and such? Do they plant the bulbs all in the same spot? Why do the instructions say they must be 6" apart? I don't get it.

Answer 1

The package tells you to plant further apart so that in the next few years there will be room between the bulbs to double in quantity. Next spring there should be twice as many and will have filled in better.. Overcrowded bulb planting can lead to having to dig them up every fall and separating them again. Which is time consuming. If you want very thick bunches in the future cut the distance in 1/2 when you are planting them for the first time but be prepared that it may also mean you will have to separate the bulbs more frequently. A lot of overcrowding in a bulb bed leads to no flowers and then the only choice is to dig up and separate the bulbs to replant.

Answer 2

I wanted groups of flowers too, so I planted my tulips in a circle about 12 inches wide each way, and put either 5 or 7 bulbs in each circle. I planted 3 daffodil bulbs in a circle a little smaller. It looks pretty good. Your daffodils should multiply. I also planted a variety of early, mid and late season daffodils & tulips so I would have a longer show of flowers.

Answer 3

The tulips probably won't spread but the daffodils and lilies will but it'll take a few years. For a natural look it's okay to crowed a few here and there. Take a handful of bulbs/corms and gently drop them at once. Plant them where they land.

Answer 4

best advise,my mom does it this way.

use your fist,or the first few knuckles and make a indent and plant,do this over and over right next to the first one,not 6'more like every 3'

Answer 5

One in each room. probably about twelve feet apart.