Bulbs overviewBulbs can be classified as tender or hardy. Hardy bulbs will tolerate, and often require, periods of cold temperature to produce reliable flowers. Tender bulbs will not tolerate cold temperatures and need to be lifted and stored before cold weather damages them.
When peple hear the word bulb, they immediately think about spring blooming bulbs like narcissus and tulips. However, a wide variety of bulbs produce a display in the garden from very early spring until late fall. Bulbs generally bloom in a predictable sequence, although a cool spring may delay bloom for two or more weeks; likewise, an unusually warm spring may induce early flowering.
Tender bulbs| Flower Name | Color | Height | Season | Pests | Uses | Propagation |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Acidanthera bicolor Peacock Orchid |
white, purple blotch | 24-36" | summer | few | border, cut | offsets |
| Lift corms after the foliage becomes discolored. | ||||||
| Agapanthus africanus Agapanthus |
blue, white | 18-24" | summer | few | border, cut, container | offsets |
| Can be grown in a container. For winter storage allow the container to dry out. | ||||||
| Begonia x tuberhybrida Tuberous Begonia |
various | 12-18" | summer | few | border, container | offsets |
| Should be started indoors and then moved to the garden after the danger of frost has past. Check our begonia page. | ||||||
| Caladium x hortulanum Caladium |
various | 12-14" | summer | few | border, container | division |
| For winter storage allow to dry out. | ||||||
| Canna x generalis Canna |
red, pink, orange | 24-48" | summer | few | border, cut | division |
| Require full sun. Check our canna page. | ||||||
| Crocosmia x crocosmiiflora Montbretia |
various | 12-18" | summer | few | border, cut | division |
| Sore corms dry. | ||||||
| Dahlia x hybrida Dahlia |
various | 36-72" | summer | mites, viruses | border, cut | division |
| Wide range of flower forms and colors. Check our dahlia page. | ||||||
| Gladiolus x hortulanus Gladiolus |
various | 18-36" | summer | thrips | border, cut | division, offset |
| Prefer ful sun but will tolerate partial shade. Check our glads page. | ||||||
| Hippeastrum Amaryllis |
pink, red, white | 18-24" | forced indoors | few | container, cut | offsets |
| Bulbs can be planted in garden but are usually forced indoors. Check our amaryllis page. | ||||||
| Hymenocallis narcissiflora Spider lily, Ismene |
white | 18-24" | early summer | few | border, container | offsets |
| Fragrant flowers produced on leafless stems. | ||||||
| Ornithugalum thyrsoides Star of Bethlehem |
white | 12-24" | late summer | few | border, cut | offsets |
| Plant as an annual. | ||||||
| Polianthes tuberosa Tuberose¸ |
white | 18-24" | summer | few | border, cut | offsets |
| Very fragnant. | ||||||
| Tigridia pavonia Tiger Flower |
various | 12-18" | early summer | few | border, cut | offsets |
| Will tolerate partial shade. | ||||||
| Zantedeschia aethiopica Calla Lily |
white | 18-30" | summer | few | border, cut | cormels |
| Easy to grow in containers. Will tolerate a wet location. | ||||||
| Zephyranthes grandiflora Zephyr Lily |
pink | 8-12" | early summer | few | border, cut | offsets |
| Easy to grow in containers. | ||||||