Confused about bulb planting

[Katkatkat]

I'm hoping someone can help me, I'm confused about planting bulbs.

In the parks we see swathes of snowdrops/crocuses/daffodils all coming up after each other in the same place and all appearing to have good coverage. How would I achieve this in my own garden. If bulbs need planted 4" apart then by the time there's a couple of different types in the bed there isn't going to be space for many of each plant. I remember once seeing something where the last to flower are planted deeper and you can plant earlier flowering bulbs above them. Is this how it's done and if so, how do I decide which to plant deepest?

Am I missing something, do you just have a couple of sparse years before the plants grow in to the spaces?

[airconednightmare]

well as a gerneral rule bulbs need to be planted to a depth which is about 4 times the size of the bulb, so yes on top of each other to a certain extent.

4" appart is probably the best way to insure the bulbs all get a chance to become established before they have to compete for resourses, however if you are after an instant effect plant them closer but be prepared for losses.

p.s. please plant a few snake's head fritillaries, they are easialy the best spring bulb and they are an endangered native wildflower which the bees just adore...everyone wins

http://www.naturalengland.org.uk/our...ritillary.aspx

[Katkatkat]

Ooh thank you for the suggestion, we have them down in my parent's garden but I had completely forgotten about them and had no idea what they were called. I will look in to where and when they like to grow, I seem to remember my parent's have them in the bog garden so they must like moisture?

[airconednightmare]

they mainly grow in woodland or meddows, any decent soil which is well drained and has plenty of organic matter should do the trick, and they can withstand pretty much full shade which is always useful.

i'm going to try planting some round a daphne retusa