Andy McIndoe

Bulbs: For Pots & Borders

  • Recommended

    $200

    Includes personal feedback and tuition. More

  • $75

    Learn in an online classroom with no more than 20 classmates. More

Course Description

Expert gardener and RHS Chelsea Gold medalist Andy McIndoe shares his passion and knowledge for bulbs (including tulips and daffodils) in this planting Spring bulbs gardening course.

You'll learn which flower bulbs to choose (including looking at hardy and dwarf bulbs), when to plant spring bulbs and where to plant bulbs, and how combine flowers from bulbs to create long lasting and naturalistic designs.

Choose Expert option for personalised feedback from Andy on your assignments

Late summer and autumn through to early winter is the time we should all start thinking about planting our bulbs for Spring. This course prepares you for how to buy and plant a beautiful garden using flower bulbs including tulips, daffodils and other spring bulbs.  

Have you ever wondered how people get a blend of scents and colour from bulb flowers in their garden?  

Or how to naturalise bulbs in grass so they blend with your landscape?  

Or simply how to use bulbs in pots as part of your exterior design for the Spring. Unless you have some understanding of the vast array of bulbs that are available, especially tulips, it's difficult to think beyond having a few bulbs in pots.  

During this course we'll discuss now only how to plant spring bulbs, but how to choose appropriate bulbs for your setting, what to mix them with in planting design, and you'll also receive personal advice from Andy himself who is a self confessed tulip fanatic. We automatically tend to think of tulips and daffodils as the main spring bulbs, but Andy will introduce you to a full painting palette of spring bulbs, and enable you to work towards a garden which looks like a spring garden of a true garden designer.

You'll learn:

  • Where to source and buy bulbs
  • Planting bulbs in pots and containers and using layering
  • Combining bulbs with perennials, foliage and other garden plants
  • Planting bulbs directly in the ground
  • Using bulb flowers for colour
  • Types of bulbs including hardy bulbs
  • When to plant bulbs for spring flowers

Time to complete this planting design course:

Every student is different but in general we think the whole course will take around 9 hours 30 minutes to complete including:

  • Video lessons: 1 hour 30 minutes
  • Course notes: 30 minutes per lesson
  • Assignment: at least 1 hour per lesson
  • Interactive classroom time: 15 minutes per lesson
  • Tutor feedback review (Expert level): 15 minutes per lesson

You'll need:

You don't need any special equipment, but you will be planning which bulbs you could use and where to source your bulbs from.

The course is suitable for all levels - beginners to garden designers or horticulture professionals who want to learn from a horticultural expert.

The course includes:

  • On-demand video lessons - presented by Andy McIndoe
  • lifetime access to the video, notes and interactive class
  • flexible classes - join and learn when and where you like
  • downloadable lesson notes
  • practical (optional) bulb planning projects
  • access on your mobile, PC, Mac or laptop
  • small interactive online classroom chat online to students from around the world

Ready to get started?

Just add the course to your basket above - choose the 'Expert' option for personal feedback from Andy on your garden and container designs and bulb choices.

Any questions? Contact us by clicking on the orange speech symbol - we'd love to hear from you.

CPD Accreditation

Course activity has been accredited by the CPD Standards Office (CPDSO). The course equates to 9 hours, 30 minutes of CPD learning.
The CPD Standards Office. CPD Provider: 50276.

Course outline

  • Introduction to Flower bulbs

    Our first lesson looks at the appeal and versatility of flower bulbs.

    We'll learn how bulbs can be used to add colour and fragrance, when to buy spring flowering bulbs, how to plant bulbs (including depth), and how to re-use last years bulbs.

    Find out how to store them prior to planting and how to choose bulbs for a specific purpose or situation.

  • Growing bulbs in pots and containers indoors and out

    Discover the secrets of success of growing prepared hyacinths and other flower bulbs for decoration indoors.

    You'll find out how to grow Narcissus ‘Paperwhite’ without soil, which other bulbs succeed indoors?

    Learn how to plant flower bulbs and tulips in pots on the patio, including using layers to extend your bulb flowering season.

    We'll investigate which soil to use, how to care for bulbs in pots and how to combine bulbs and bedding plants for stunning results.

  • Adding colour to beds and borders by planting flower bulbs

    In this lesson we'll learn how plant tulip and other flower bulbs to survive from year to year in the open ground.

    We'll look at planting daffodils and narcissi in beds and borders and planting alliums with silver foliage plants, geraniums and other perennials.

    We'll explore the best way to create exciting colour combinations by adding a few flower bulbs.

  • Naturalising flowerbulbs

    In the final lesson we'll look at planting daffodils and narcissi in grass, and investigate other bulbs for naturalising in grass and meadows.

    We'll discover how planting flower bulbs to add colour under trees or in shaded areas. And we'll look at which dwarf bulbs to plant in gravel and scree.

Choose how you want to learn

  • The Expert option

    Recommended

    Develop your learning further with marked assignments and personal tuition from Andy McIndoe

    • Start course whenever you like
    • 4 weeks tutor access for personalised assignment feedback & coaching
    • 4 assignments marked by Andy McIndoe
    • Certificate of completion and CPD hours
    • Online classroom with up to 20 classmates
    • 4 lessons with expert videos & notes
    • Group chat & direct message with tutor & classmates
    • Lifetime access to videos, notes & classroom
    Learn more
    $200
  • The Peer option

    Discover the benefits of group learning in an online interactive classroom of no more than 20 people. Get the most from shared knowledge and community study

    • Start course whenever you like
    • Practise what you learn with your peers
    • Online classroom with up to 20 classmates
    • 4 lessons with expert videos & notes
    • 4 course assignments
    • Group chat & direct message classmates
    • Lifetime access to videos, notes & classroom
    Learn more
    $75

New
Buy this course for a business or group

You can now buy this course through your business or organisation for individuals and groups up to 20

Gardening classroom - how it works

  • Start anytime

    Watch video tutorials led by expert tutors

    Watch video tutorials led by expert tutors
  • Test yourself

    Practice what you learn with inspiring assignments

    Practice what you learn with inspiring assignments
  • Personal tuition

    Get assignment feedback from expert tutors

    Get assignment feedback from expert tutors
  • Share ideas

    Collaborate and chat directly to classmates

    Collaborate and chat directly to classmates

Meet Andy McIndoe

Andy McIndoe - Gardening

We are absolutely delighted that Andy McIndoe has won a record breaking 70th consecutive Gold at The Chelsea Flower Show for Hilliers. It’s a fantastic achievement!

Franky Kentish, The Telegraph
Andy McIndoe is our Chief Blogger, and teaches five courses on the site. Andy has over thirty years experience as a practical horticulturist and consultant. He has designed and advised on gardens of all sizes and was responsible for the Hillier Gold Medal winning exhibit at the Royal Horticultural Society’s Chelsea Flower for 25 years.
A regular contributor to magazines, newspapers and BBC Radio, Andy lectures widely at home and abroad. Special interests include hardy shrubs, trees, herbaceous perennials, flower bulbs, wildlife and garden design; he has authored books on all of these subjects.
A keen gardener Andy and his wife Ros have a two acre garden in Hampshire, U.K. that is open to groups by appointment. Started from scratch fifteen years ago, the garden is naturalistic in style, with an extensive wildflower meadow and informal planting. The emphasis is on foliage to provide colour and texture.

Our community loves us

Awards & Accreditations

  • CPD Accredited (provider 50276)
  • Good Web Guide
  • Red Herring Winner
  • Education Investor Awards 2021 - Finalist
  • Royal Horticultural Society
  • Digital Education Awards 2023 Winner for Digital Health and Wellbeing Learning Product of the Year
  • Digital Education Awards 2023 Winner for Adult Home Learning Product of the Year