Knowing your location helps us recommend plants that will thrive in your climate, based on your Growing Zone.
Posted By High Country Gardens Content Team on Jun 6, 2018 · Revised on Sep 18, 2025
By Katrina Godshalk
It’s easy to have a non-stop spring bulb parade and create fantastic containers of spring-blooming bulbs... just think lasagna!
Fall-planted, spring-blooming bulbs are true icons of springtime, among the first to tickle our senses with the colorful and fragrant gifts of the garden. It can be a challenge to decide what to plant where, especially given that spring itself has its own seasons. Usually classed as early-spring, mid-spring, and late-spring, these delineations of bloom time are crucial when creating a spring bulb garden.
Luckily for us, Dutch bulb mavens developed what they call "lasagna planting," a way to layer your bulb plantings to create beautiful blooms all spring long, boasting colorful flowers in designs free from gaps in color. Plant three layers of bulbs — early, mid, and late spring — for a full season of flowers. The possibilities are endless, and whether planted in your garden or a container, you can let your creativity be your guide. Try both methods to enjoy the colorful impact of lasagna planting!
Follow our guide for tips on creating your own layered planting!
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Whether planting in the garden or a container, your considerations are the same: the main factor is bloom time. Choose early-, mid-, and late-spring-blooming bulbs. Mix it up or keep it simple — the choice is yours!
Choose your favorite early-spring blooming bulbs for the first signs of spring! We recommend Crocus, Specie Iris, Scilla, Muscari (Grape Hyacinth), Chionodoxia (Blue Giant Glory Of The Snow), and Galanthus (Snowdrops).
Choose your favorite mid-spring blooming bulbs for a burst of color. We recommend Tulips, Daffodils, and Hyacinth.
Choose your favorite late-spring to early-summer blooming bulbs for the finale that carries you into the summer garden. We recommend Daffodils, Tulips, Fritillaria, and Allium.
The size of the container you choose will tell you how many layers of bulbs you can plant. A 10" deep container will hold two layers of bulbs; a 14" container will hold three layers. Make sure that your containers have drainage holes.
In colder zones, consider planting your bulbs in plastic nursery pots to avoid damage to expensive pottery as they may swell and contract with the temperature. They can be slipped inside your decorative containers in spring
In the garden, lasagna planting works best where you have well-drained, loamy soil that can be dug to a depth of 8-12" (for three layers). If your soil is not that deep, go for two layers or just plant one layer in a traditional method. The size is up to you, but as you are planting more densely, even a 2' x 1' area will work nicely.
Bulb lasagna is perfect for areas that can be dug, where you’ll enjoy a concentrated, colorful, non-stop display. Some ideal locations are flower beds near a window or entry where you can enjoy the view, or as a centerpiece in a slowly awakening summer-blooming perennial bed.
In larger garden beds, you can plant in formal rows. Or, if you’d like a more natural, free-form look, scatter the bulbs and plant them where they lay.
If mice, squirrels, voles, or gophers are a problem, consider lining your hole with gravel or chicken wire. Just cut the mesh to line one length plus the sides and lay shorter pieces cross-wise. Also, lay a piece of chicken wire over your new planting when finished to protect from squirrels as the soil resettles (squirrels love easy digging!) Alternatively, consider planting deer-and-critter-resistant Allium, Daffodil, Muscari, Fritillaria, Galanthus, and others as you plan your layout. They may help protect rodent favorites such as Tulips and Crocus.
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