Timing decides most of whether a plant establishes.
When to plant flowers, shrubs, bulbs and trees in Lincolnshire, month by month, and how to plant them.
Shrubs, trees and bulbs go in while they are dormant, and bedding plants go in once the frosts have passed. Getting the timing right is most of what decides whether a plant establishes. The month ranges below are for Lincolnshire, where Reshape Landscaping Ltd plants borders and raised beds on new garden builds across Lincoln, Gainsborough, Scunthorpe and Sleaford.
THE SHORT VERSION
- Shrubs, trees and bulbs go in while dormant, from autumn to early spring.
- Bedding plants go in once the frosts have passed.
- Autumn is the best time to plant most shrubs.
- Bare-root plants are planted between late autumn and early spring.
- Container-grown plants can go in for most of the year if watered in well.
ON THIS PAGE
- The Quick Answer
- Understanding Lincolnshire’s Gardening Seasons
- When to Plant Flowers in Lincolnshire
- Best Time to Plant Shrubs and Bushes
- Trees and Ornamental Planting
- Planting Month by Month in Lincolnshire
- Bare-Root and Container-Grown Shrubs
- When to Plant a Hedge in Lincolnshire
- How to Plant Shrubs and Perennials
- Gardening Tips from Reshape Landscaping Ltd
- Planting on a New Garden Build
- What to Ask About New Planting
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Areas We Cover
- Book Your Free Site Visit
The Quick Answer
The best time to plant in Lincolnshire is autumn, from September to November, for most shrubs, trees and spring bulbs, with spring and early autumn for perennials. Bare-root plants go in between late autumn and early spring while they are dormant, and bedding plants wait until the frosts have passed. We plant borders and raised beds on new garden builds in Lincoln, Gainsborough, Scunthorpe, Sleaford and the surrounding areas.
Understanding Lincolnshire’s Gardening Seasons
The UK enjoys four distinct seasons, each playing a role in your garden’s performance:
- Spring (March–May): A time of growth, ideal for most planting.
- Summer (June–August): Great for maintenance, feeding, and enjoying blooms.
- Autumn (September–November): Perfect for planting trees, shrubs, and bulbs.
- Winter (December–February): A time to prepare, protect, and plan.
Top Planting Seasons in Lincolnshire. Spring and autumn are the best times to plant most flowers, shrubs, and trees, as temperatures are mild and rainfall supports root establishment.
When to Plant Flowers in Lincolnshire
Add colour and fragrance to your garden with seasonal flower varieties:
- Spring-flowering bulbs (Daffodils, Tulips, Crocuses)
→ Plant in: Autumn (September–November) - Bedding plants (Petunias, Geraniums, Pansies)
→ Plant in: Late spring (April–May) for summer colour - Perennials (Lavender, Echinacea, Delphiniums)
→ Plant in: Spring or early autumn for best results
Best Time to Plant Shrubs and Bushes
Add shape, structure, and greenery with easy-care shrubs:
- Deciduous shrubs (Hydrangeas, Forsythia, Spiraea)
→ Plant in: Autumn or early spring while dormant - Evergreen shrubs (Box, Hebe, Photinia)
→ Plant in: Spring or autumn - Native hedging (Hawthorn, Blackthorn, Hazel)
→ Ideal for wildlife-friendly garden borders
Planning new borders or raised beds?
We plan the planting with the rest of the garden, so the beds, the soil and the positions suit each plant. It is all part of the free site visit.
| Option | What it involves | When to plant | Aftercare | Best suited to |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bare-root plantsDormant season | Plants lifted from the field while dormant and sold without soil. | Late autumn to early spring. | Water in well and firm the soil back after a frost. | Hedging and longer runs of the same plant. |
| Container-grown plantsMost of the year | Plants grown in pots and planted with the root ball intact. | Most of the year, avoiding frozen or waterlogged ground and long dry spells. | Water until the roots spread into the soil around them. | Borders, raised beds and single shrubs. |
| Spring bulbsAutumn planting | Daffodils, tulips and crocuses planted the autumn before they flower. | September to November. | Little beyond clearing the old leaves once they die back. | Borders, under shrubs and in containers. |
| Bedding plantsAfter the frosts | Petunias, geraniums and pansies for a season of colour. | Late spring, once the frosts have passed. | Regular watering through summer. | Pots, raised beds and the front of borders. |
Trees and Ornamental Planting
Establish long-lasting impact and shade with the right trees:
- Best time to plant:
Late autumn to early spring, when trees are dormant - Ideal species for UK gardens:
- Silver Birch
- Ornamental Cherry
- Rowan (Mountain Ash)
- Small ornamental maples
Planting Month by Month in Lincolnshire
The planting year in Lincolnshire runs like this, using the ranges above.
January to February
Bare-root trees, shrubs and hedging on days when the ground is not frozen or waterlogged.
March to April
Container-grown shrubs and perennials as the soil warms, and summer-flowering bulbs.
May
Summer bedding once the frosts have passed.
June to August
Container-grown plants only, watered in well and kept watered through dry spells.
September to November
Spring bulbs, shrubs, trees and perennials, with the soil still warm and rainfall more reliable.
December
Bare-root planting on mild days, and planning the borders for the year ahead.
Bare-Root and Container-Grown Shrubs
Bare-root shrubs and hedging plants are lifted while they are dormant, so they are planted between late autumn and early spring.
Container-grown shrubs can be planted for most of the year. Avoid frozen or waterlogged ground and long dry spells, and water them in well until the roots have spread into the soil around them.
Autumn is still the best time to plant most shrubs. The soil holds its warmth, rainfall is more reliable, and the roots have the winter to settle before new growth starts in spring.
WHAT WE ARE FINDING ON SITE
When to Plant a Hedge in Lincolnshire
Bare-root hedging goes in between November and March, while the plants are dormant. Hawthorn, blackthorn, hazel and beech are all sold bare-root and planted in a trench along the line of the hedge.
Container-grown hedging such as laurel and photinia can go in for most of the year if it is watered in well. We plant new hedges as part of garden builds in Lincoln, Gainsborough, Scunthorpe, Sleaford and throughout Lincolnshire.
How to Plant Shrubs and Perennials
Dig a hole wider than the root ball and no deeper than it, so the plant sits at the same level it grew in the pot. Firm the soil back around the roots and water it in well.
Perennials are planted the same way, spaced to allow for the size they reach. Planting in groups gives a fuller border than single plants dotted along it.
On a new garden build, shrubs and perennials go into borders and raised beds prepared at the groundwork stage. Our raised beds page sets out the materials we build in for gardens in Lincoln, Gainsborough, Scunthorpe, Sleaford and throughout Lincolnshire.
Recent projects
RECENT PLANTING AND BORDERS
Gardening Tips from Reshape Landscaping Ltd
1. Start with Healthy Soil→ Add compost or well-rotted manure to improve soil structure and nutrients.
2. Mulch to Lock in Moisture→ Especially helpful during dry spring and summer periods to suppress weeds and conserve water.
3. Use Raised Beds for Poor Soil→ Lincolnshire’s soil can vary, raised beds help manage drainage and improve root growth.
4. Right Plant, Right Place→ Choose plants suited to your soil type (chalky, clay, sandy) and sun exposure for better success.
Planting on a New Garden Build
On a new garden build the borders and raised beds are prepared at the groundwork stage, and the planting plan is drawn with the rest of the design so each plant goes where its soil and light suit it. Planting is then timed to the season the job finishes in, using the ranges above.
Our garden design page covers the gardens we design and build in Lincoln, Gainsborough, Scunthorpe and Sleaford, and throughout Lincolnshire.
We prepare the borders at the groundwork stage, so the soil is ready before the first plant goes in.
Reshape Landscaping Ltd, LincolnExplore the rest of what we do
What to Ask a Landscaper About New Planting
Before booking new borders or raised beds, ask how the soil will be prepared and what will be worked into it. Planting into compacted clay or builder’s rubble is where most new plants struggle.
Ask whether the planting plan takes in the soil and the light in each part of the garden, and which season the planting will be timed for.
If a contractor skips any of these checks, ask what they are leaving out and why.
It is also worth asking to see finished gardens. Our recent projects show completed planting and garden builds from across Lincolnshire.
WHY HOMEOWNERS PICK US
We are a British-owned and run landscaping company based in Lincoln, covering the city, Gainsborough, Scunthorpe, Sleaford and the surrounding areas.
- Established in 2010, with over 400 completed projects.
- Prestige Awards 2026 – Landscaper of the Year, Lincolnshire.
- Houzz 2026 Best of Service award, judged on customer feedback.
- Midlands Enterprise Awards 2026 – Best Bespoke Garden Landscaping Service, Lincolnshire.
- Approved installers for Talasey Landscaping Solutions and Select Living Group.
- Helped design and build a Japanese-inspired garden featured on ITV’s Garden of the Year.
- Insured, including public liability.
When to Plant: Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best time to plant shrubs in the UK?
Autumn, from September to November, while the soil is still warm. Bare-root shrubs go in from late autumn to early spring while they are dormant, and container-grown shrubs can be planted for most of the year if they are watered in well.
Can you plant in winter?
Yes, bare-root trees, shrubs and hedging can be planted through the winter on days when the ground is not frozen or waterlogged. Container-grown plants are best left until spring if the ground is cold and wet.
When should bedding plants go in?
Once the risk of frost has passed, usually from late April into May in Lincolnshire.
When is the best time to plant a hedge?
Bare-root hedging is planted between November and March while it is dormant. Container-grown hedging can go in for most of the year, as long as it is watered until the roots take.
Can you plant shrubs in winter?
Yes, as long as the ground is not frozen or waterlogged. Winter is the main season for bare-root shrubs and hedging, because the plants are dormant and settle in before spring.
Areas We Cover
We plant borders and build raised beds in Lincoln, Gainsborough, Scunthorpe and Sleaford, and throughout the surrounding areas, including Nettleham, Welton, Cherry Willingham, Washingborough, Branston, Waddington, North Hykeham, Saxilby, Skellingthorpe and Market Rasen.
Book Your Free Site Visit
We are Lincoln based landscapers and winners of the Prestige Awards 2026 Landscaper of the Year for Lincolnshire. We design and build gardens, borders and raised beds in Lincoln, Gainsborough, Scunthorpe and Sleaford, and throughout Lincolnshire. Our raised beds and garden design pages cover each service.
Every project starts with a consultation and a site visit, and we then send a written quote setting out each stage of the work. Fill in the form with your address and a few details of the garden so we can come back to you, or use our contact page to get in touch.
We reply to every enquiry within 48 hours.
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