Flowering Bulbs Year-Round

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Seasonally, bulbs are usually divided into two main groups–the first being generally termed “fall bulbs” which means those that are dormant and should be planted in late summer and fall; and the second being called “spring bulbs,” meaning those that are dormant over the winter and must be planted in early spring.

Fall bulbs include the likes of tulips and narcissus while the spring group includes gladiolus, dahlias, and the like.

There is another important division of bulbs as a whole–those that are “hardy” and those that are “tender”. When a bulb-like any other plant–is spoken of as being hardy, it means that it will survive the usual winter weather experienced in temperate zones; tender bulbs will not do this and must not be allowed to freeze either in the ground or out of it.

Fall bulbs are hardy and can remain in the ground during winter. Spring (and summer) bulbs are tender and must come out of the ground in fall and be placed in frost-free storage during the winter.

Here’s our list of flowering bulbs season-by-season. Click on the red botanical names to get how–to-grow tips.

Flowering bulbs for early spring bloom

These bulbs are hardy. They are planted in late summer or fall and can remain in the ground through winter.

Common Name	Botanical Name	Zones
Crocus	Crocus spp.	3-8
Daffodils, early types	Narcissus spp.	3-9
Ranunculus	Ranunculus asiaticus	7-10
Snowdrops	Galanthus nivalis	3-7
Squill	Scilla spp.	2-8

Flowering bulbs for midspring bloom

These bulbs are hardy. They are planted in late summer or fall and can remain in the ground through winter.

Common Name	Botanical Name	Zones
Daffodil, mid and late	Narcissus spp.	3-9
Freesia	Freesia spp.	8-11
Fritillary, checkered lily	Fritillaria meleagris	3-8
Grape hyacinth	Muscari spp.	3-8
Tulip, midseason types	Tulipa spp.	3-7
Windflower	Anemone spp.	Varies

Flowering bulbs for late-spring bloom

These bulbs are hardy. They are planted in late summer or fall and can remain in the ground through winter.

Common Name	Botanical Name	Zones
Fritillary; crown imperial	Fritillaria imperialis	5-8
Gladiolus	Gladiolus hybrids	8-11
Hyacinth	Hyacinthus orientalis	3-11
Iris	Iris spp.	Varies
Lily-of-the-valley	Convallaria majalis	3-7
Tulip, late	Tulipa spp.	3-7

Flowering bulbs for early-summer bloom

These bulbs are tender. They are planted in early spring. They must be lifted in autumn and stored in a frost-free place through the winter.

Common Name	Botanical Name	Zones
Calla lily	Zantedeschia aethiopica	8-11
Cyclamen, hardy	Cyclamen hederifolium	7-9
Gladiolus	Gladiolus hybrids	8-11
Lily, Asiatic	Lilium spp.	3-9
Society garlic	Tulbaghia violacea	8-11

Flowering bulbs for mid- to late-summer bloom

These bulbs are tender. They are planted in early spring. They must be lifted in autumn and stored in a frost-free place through the winter.

Common Name	Botanical Name	Zones
Begonia, tuberous	Begonia x tuberhybrida	9-11
Caladium	Caladium bicolor	8-11
Canna	Canna hybrids	7-11
Crocosmia	Crocosmia x crocomiiflora	5-10
Dahlia	Dahlia spp.	8-11
Gladiolus	Gladiolus hybrids	8-11
Gladiolus, Abyssinian	Gladiolus callianthus	7-11
Lilies, Oriental and Easter	Lilium spp.	3-9
Naked ladies	Lycoris squamigera	5-8

Flowering bulbs for autumn bloom

These bulbs are tender. They are planted in early spring. They must be lifted in autumn and stored in a frost-free place through the winter.

Common Name	Botanical Name	Zones
Begonia, tuberous	Begonia x tuberhybrida	9-11
Caladium	Caladium bicolor	8-11
Canna	Canna hybrids	7-11
Crocus, Autumn	Colchicum autumnale	5-9
Dahlia	Dahlia spp.	8-11
Gladiolus	Gladiolus hybrids	8-11

More about flowering bulbs:

Designing with Flower Bulbs

Planting Bulbs