Increasingly, homeowners are sidestepping the traditional flat grass lawn in favor of landscapes that are earthier and filled with a diverse mix of plants, textures, and organic shapes.
It’s why we’ve seen people build out romantic cottage gardens complete with babbling bird baths, and why “chaos gardens” filled with scattered wildflowers and tall, swaying grasses are gaining favor.
“Bulb Lawns” are another alternative to the traditional lawn—or at least a way to add more diversity to parts of your yard—and the time to start one is now.
What Are Bulb Lawns?
Bulb lawns rely on perennial bulbs that are planted directly into grassy areas, where they emerge in the spring and bloom year after year. Traditionally confined to garden beds, flowers like crocuses, daffodils, and snowdrops are scattered throughout the lawn to create a colorful, natural-looking landscape.
“Lawns are sterile environments that don’t support any wildlife. By adding early flowering spring bulbs, the lawn provides an important source of nectar and pollen for early pollinators like bees and bumble bees at a time when very little is blooming,” explains Peggy Anne Montgomery, a horticulturist at Flower Bulbs.
She adds that while reserving some of the yard for a traditional lawn offers a practical place to play for children and pets, or for entertaining, a bulb lawn provides an essential source of early-season pollen and nectar for pollinators.
“Very little else flowers that time of year, and the awakening insects need to forage. It’s a win-win for you and the environment,” she explains.
How to Grow a Bulb Lawn
Spring-flowering bulbs should be planted in the fall before the first frost. This gives them time to establish roots and undergo the cold period many varieties need to bloom come spring.
For a natural look, scatter bulbs across the lawn in loose, irregular groupings rather than planting them in neat rows. Dig holes to the recommended depth for each variety (which is typically two to three times the bulb’s height), and then plant each with the pointed end facing upward.
“Crocus, miniature daffodils, dwarf iris, Glory of the snow, spring star flower, snow drops, and botanic tulips are all good choices and will bloom in succession,” Montgomery says. “You can use a bulb auger attached to a cordless drill for digging the holes. It’s so easy and saves an incredible amount of time.”
Once the flowers have finished blooming in the spring, allow the foliage to yellow and die back naturally before mowing so the bulbs can store energy for the following year.
Montgomery adds that bulb lawns thrive best in more natural, sparse areas versus highly maintained lawns that rely on lots of nitrogen-based fertilizer, weed killers, and pesticides.
Wendy Rose Gould is a lifestyle journalist who routinely contributes to Real Simple, Martha Stewart, Women’s Health, and House Beautiful, among others. She covers home and garden, wellness, and travel, focusing on thoughtful storytelling and detailed reporting. When not writing, you can catch her perusing thrift stores, singing, hitting the gym, and petting any cat or dog that'll allow it.
