Everything you need to know before, during and after your order — from bulb sizing and planting depth to our 60-day guarantee. Still stuck? Email plantbulbshop@gmail.com and a real person will answer.

Ordering & Shipping

What exactly arrives when I order bulbs?

You receive dormant bulbs, corms, tubers or bare roots — never potted plants unless the listing says so. Each lot is graded by circumference before packing, so the bulb you plant is the size that was advertised. Expect firm, heavy bulbs with dry outer skin; light surface dust or a little loose skin is normal and not a sign of damage.

How much is shipping?

Standard shipping is free on every order, with no minimum spend. There is no handling fee added at checkout.

When will my order be dispatched?

Orders are packed in the order they arrive, usually within a few business days. Bulbs ship at the right planting time for the season, so a pre-order placed in summer may be held until the fall shipping window opens. You will get a tracking number by email the moment your parcel leaves us.

How long does delivery take?

Allow 5–12 business days after dispatch for standard delivery. Weather, carrier hubs and peak season (late September to November) can add a few days. If tracking has not moved for 10 days, email us and we will chase it or replace it.

Which countries do you ship to?

Only the destinations shown at checkout are served. If your country does not appear in the address list, email us before ordering — bulbs cannot legally cross some borders because of plant health rules, and we will not ship where permits are missing.

Can I change my address after ordering?

Yes, if the parcel has not been packed. Email us with the order number as soon as possible. Once a tracking number is issued the address is locked, and we cannot redirect a parcel in transit.

Planting & Timing

When should I plant spring-flowering bulbs?

Plant tulips, daffodils, hyacinths, crocus, alliums and other spring bloomers in autumn, once soil temperatures drop below about 60°F (15°C) and before the ground freezes. In most of the country that means late September through November; in mild zones you can stretch into December. Bulbs need those cold weeks to build the roots that power spring flowers.

Can I still plant if I am late?

Yes, up to a point. Bulbs planted in December or early January usually still flower, just later and on shorter stems. If the ground is already frozen, pot the bulbs in containers, keep them in an unheated garage or cold frame, and plant out in early spring.

How deep and how far apart do I plant?

A good rule is three times the bulb’s height in depth, measured from the base of the bulb to the soil surface. Tulips and daffodils typically go 6 inches deep and 4–6 inches apart; crocus and snowdrops 3 inches deep and 3 inches apart; alliums 4–6 inches deep. In sandy soil plant slightly deeper, in heavy clay slightly shallower.

Which end goes up?

The pointed end is the stem tip and goes up; the flat, scarred base with the root ring goes down. If a bulb is rounded with no obvious point, plant it on its side — it will right itself.

How do I store bulbs if I cannot plant them yet?

Keep them cool (50–60°F / 10–15°C), dry and dark, in a paper bag or a cardboard box with ventilation holes. Never seal bulbs in plastic, and keep them away from ripening fruit, which releases ethylene and can abort the flower inside the bulb. Plant within four to six weeks if you can.

Will my bulbs come back every year?

Species tulips, daffodils, alliums, crocus, muscari and most lilies naturalise well and return for years. Large-flowered hybrid tulips are best treated as annuals in warm zones; in cooler zones they often repeat if you let the foliage die back fully and feed after flowering.

Why did my bulbs produce leaves but no flowers?

The three usual causes are bulbs that were too small to flower, foliage cut back too early the previous season (the leaves feed next year’s flower), or a spot too shady for the species. Give bulbs full sun, leave foliage in place for six weeks after bloom, and check that the bulbs you buy are labelled with a flowering-size grade.

Quality & Guarantee

My bulbs arrived soft, mouldy or sprouting. What now?

Small patches of blue-green mould on the papery skin are harmless — wipe them off. A bulb that is soft, mushy or smells sour is not, so photograph it and email us within 14 days of delivery for a replacement or refund. Sprouting in transit is normal for late-season orders and does not affect flowering.

Are your bulbs true to name?

Every lot is ordered by variety and checked against the grower’s lot label when it is packed. If a plant flowers to something clearly different from what you ordered, send us a photo and we will make it right under the 60-day guarantee.

How does the 60-day guarantee work?

If a bulb or bare root fails to grow within 60 days of delivery, email plantbulbshop@gmail.com with your order number and a photo. We will replace the item if it is in stock, refund it, or issue store credit — your choice. Full details are on our Refunds & Replacements page.

Do you replace plants damaged by weather or animals?

No. The guarantee covers bulbs that fail to grow from a sound start. Damage from frost heave, waterlogging, squirrels, deer or a hose left running is outside it — though we will still help you troubleshoot, because we would rather you succeed than reorder blind.

Support

How do I reach you?

Email plantbulbshop@gmail.com. Include your order number and a photo where relevant; that is the fastest route to a resolution. We reply within one business day, Monday to Friday.

Do you sell wholesale or in bulk?

Yes, for landscapers, schools and community garden projects. Email us with the varieties, quantities and delivery month and we will quote separately from retail pricing.