What to plant now, and all year round, in Irish gardens
Late September opens Ireland's best planting window. Warm soil and steady rain make autumn the time for spring bulbs, hedging, perennials and ground cover. Here is what to plant and what to do in every season and month.
Plant tulips Oct–Nov
What to plant this autumn
Ireland is mild and wet, with frost mostly confined to December to February, so plants set in now spend winter rooting in rather than struggling. These bulb and plant packs are in stock and ready to go in the ground.
Browse by type: Spring bulbs · Tulips · Daffodils · Hedging · Hardy perennials · Ground cover
The Irish gardening year at a glance
Starting with now. Each season lists what to plant, the jobs worth doing and our in-depth guides.
Autumn Plant now
September – November
Ireland's best planting window. The soil is still warm, the rain does the watering, and roots settle in before winter.
What to plant- Daffodils, crocus, snowdrops and alliums (September–October)
- Tulips (October–November)
- Pot-grown hedging, hardy perennials and ground cover
- Hellebores for flowers in late winter
- Mulch borders with compost or leafmould
- Rake leaves off lawns and gather them for leafmould
- Raise patio pots on feet so they drain over winter
Winter December – February
Frosts are most likely now, but mild spells are common. Plant whenever the ground is neither frozen nor waterlogged.
What to plant- Bare-root hedging and trees (roughly November–March)
- Snowdrops "in the green" as they finish flowering
- Winter-interest shrubs and hellebores for pots by the door
- Winter-prune wisteria; prune roses from late February
- Cut back old hellebore leaves as flower buds appear
- Check stakes and ties after storms
Spring March – May
Soil warms and growth takes off. Late frosts are still possible, particularly inland, until well into May.
What to plant- Hardy perennials, climbers and bamboo
- Lavender and other sun-lovers once the soil drains and warms (April–May)
- Ground cover and borders; tender bedding only from late May
- Divide overgrown clumps of perennials
- Leave daffodil foliage for about six weeks after flowering
- Watch for slugs on new shoots
What to plant in March · What to plant in May · Climbing plants
Summer June – August
The season to enjoy the garden and keep new plantings watered. It is also the time to order spring bulbs.
What to plant- Container plants, herbs and Mediterranean plants for patios
- Pot-grown perennials, if you can water them through dry spells
- Order spring-flowering bulbs for autumn planting
- Water new plantings deeply rather than little and often
- Deadhead to keep flowers coming; trim lavender after flowering
- Summer-prune wisteria in July or August
Ornamental grasses · Dry banks & gravel · Mediterranean plants
Irish planting calendar
A conservative guide for Irish conditions. Coastal and southern gardens can often plant a little earlier in spring; colder inland and upland gardens a little later.
On a phone, swipe the table sideways to see garden jobs.
| Month | Plant now | Garden jobs |
|---|---|---|
| January | Bare-root hedging and trees when the ground is workable | Plan beds and borders; clean pots and tools; check stored bulbs for rot |
| February | Bare-root hedging; snowdrops in the green (late Feb) | Winter-prune wisteria; start rose pruning late in the month; cut back ornamental grasses |
| March | Hardy perennials, climbers, bamboo; last of the bare-root season | Mulch borders; divide perennials; first light mow when the grass is dry |
| April | Lavender, perennials and ground cover | Weed early; protect new shoots from slugs; deadhead daffodils but leave the leaves |
| May | Containers, herbs and borders; tender bedding from late May | Water new plantings in dry spells; tie in climbers; check hedges for nesting birds before trimming |
| June | Patio containers and Mediterranean plants | Water, deadhead and feed containers; keep on top of weeds |
| July | Pot-grown perennials, if you can water them | Summer-prune wisteria; trim lavender after flowering; order spring bulbs |
| August | Autumn-flowering perennials for late colour | Summer-prune wisteria; take cuttings; finish your bulb order |
| September · NOW | Daffodils, crocus, alliums, snowdrops; perennials, ground cover, pot-grown hedging | Repair and feed lawns; lift and divide perennials; bring houseplants in from outside |
| October | Tulips and the last daffodils; hedging, perennials, hellebores | Mulch borders; gather leaves for leafmould; protect tender plants |
| November | Tulips (to the end of the month); bare-root season begins | Clear leaves from lawns and paths; raise pots on feet; leave some seedheads for birds |
| December | Bare-root hedging and trees in mild spells | Check stakes after storms; ease off watering houseplants; plan next year |
Plant only when the soil is neither frozen nor waterlogged. Irish law restricts cutting hedgerows on uncultivated land from 1 March to 31 August; in gardens, always check for nesting birds before trimming.
Plant bulbs once, enjoy them for years
Most spring bulbs need very little: good drainage, the right depth and a bit of patience.
- Depth: about two to three times the height of the bulb, pointed end up
- Drainage: in heavy Irish clay, add grit or plant on a slight mound so bulbs don't sit wet
- Naturalising: scatter crocus, daffodils and bluebells and plant where they land, for a natural look
- Afterwards: let the leaves die back on their own for about six weeks, as they feed next year's flowers
Keep houseplants happy through an Irish winter
Short, grey days slow houseplants right down. Most winter problems come from too much water and too little light.
- Light: move plants closer to a bright window; north-facing rooms suit low-light plants
- Water less: let the top few centimetres of compost dry out before watering again
- Radiators: keep plants away from direct heat and cold draughts from doors
- Feeding: pause until new growth appears in spring
More help: the best low-light plants for dark rooms.
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Hedging, ground cover and perennial packs chosen for Irish and European gardens.
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Box-blight-free alternatives and border ideas for Irish gardens.
Read the hedging guide →Seasonal planting questions, answered
When should I plant spring bulbs in Ireland?
Is it too late to plant tulips in November?
When is the best time to plant a hedge in Ireland?
What should I plant in autumn in Ireland?
Can I plant in winter?
How do I look after houseplants through an Irish winter?
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Autumn is the time to plant
Get bulbs, hedging and perennials in the ground now for a garden that pays you back from February onwards. Free delivery to Ireland and 24 more EU countries.