Layering Spring: Creating a Bulb Lasagna

There’s something deeply satisfying about planting a container full of promise — a hidden lasagna of bulbs that will quietly sleep through winter and burst into bloom one layer at a time. This autumn, I planted a pastel “bulb lasagna” for spring, using varieties available from Tulips.com, all chosen for soft color and a long succession of blooms.

The Container

I used a deep terracotta pot — about 18 inches wide and 16 inches deep — with a layer of gravel at the bottom for drainage and rich composted potting mix above.

The secret of a bulb lasagna is simple: stack bulbs in layers, deepest first, with just enough soil between to let each grow undisturbed.

The Layers

Top Layer (Early Spring: February–March)

These are the first to bloom — small, cheerful bulbs that peek through when the world still feels grey.

• Crocus ‘Joan of Arc’ — pure white cups that glow on cloudy days

• Muscari armeniacum — tiny blue hyacinths that drift like watercolor dots

Planted about 2–3 inches deep from the soil surface, they form a soft carpet for what’s to come.

Middle Layer (Mid Spring: March–April)

Here’s where the first big color shows begin.

• Daffodil ‘Thalia’ — graceful white flowers, elegant and fragrant

• Tulip ‘Daydream’ — golden yellow turning soft apricot as it matures

• Tulip ‘Fabio’ — a fringed red and gold accent for contrast

Planted about 4–6 inches deep from the soil surface, these bloom just as the early crocus fade.

Bottom Layer (Late Spring: April–May)

The finale: lush, romantic tulips that fill the pot as spring peaks.

• Tulip ‘Angelique’ — peony-like blush pink

• Tulip ‘Copper Image’ — soft peach with antique tones

• Tulip ‘Menton’ — tall and elegant in warm apricot-pink

• Tulip ‘Akebono’ — buttery yellow touched with rose

These go 6–8 inches deep from the soil surface, forming the base of the display and the grandest bloom.

Care and Rhythm

After planting, I watered deeply once and set the container outdoors to chill through winter. Bulbs need that cold rest to trigger spring growth.

When shoots appear in early spring, I’ll keep the soil just moist — never soggy — and enjoy watching each layer rise in sequence.

By May, the pot should be overflowing: a miniature timeline of spring, from crocus and muscari to daffodils to tulips in every shade of blush and gold.

Quick Spacing Tip

For a 16–18 inch wide pot, I used roughly 8–12 large tulips per layer, 6 daffodils, and a carpet of about 25 small bulbs (crocus and muscari) across the top.

If your pot is smaller, just space bulbs about 3 inches apart, staggering them like eggs in a carton so each layer sits between the bulbs above.

For larger pots, add more bulbs in the same pattern — they don’t need to line up perfectly.

The Diagram

Reflections

Planting a bulb lasagna is a small act of optimism. It’s one of those quiet autumn rituals that pays back with months of unfolding beauty.

Even if the weather turns grey or the garden feels still, something magical is always waiting beneath the surface.

An empty pot can look a bit bare through winter, though — so I tucked in a few violas across the top. Their soft blooms add a gentle wash of color while the bulbs rest below, and by spring they frame the tulips beautifully as they rise. Here is a photograph of my finish product with a few Violas on top.