When the snow melts and the first robins appear, it’s easy to think the bulb-planting season is behind us. We often associate bulbs with the fall ritual of burying tulips and daffodils for a spring surprise. But for the savvy gardener, spring is actually the second act.
It is the time to get your hands dirty with flower bulbs to plant in spring—the heat-loving, show-stopping varieties that will fill your summer garden with vibrant color.
These spring-planted gems (technically a mix of bulbs, corms, tubers, and rhizomes) are tender plants that thrive in warm soil. They bridge the gap when early spring flowers fade, taking over the spotlight from June until the first frost.
If you want a garden that bursts with exotic shapes and tropical hues, here are 12 beautiful choices to get into the ground this season.
1. The Drama Queen: Dahlia
If there is one flower that rules the late summer garden, it is the dahlia. From tiny, neat pom-poms to massive “dinner plate” blooms the size of a human head, dahlias offer endless variety. They come in every color except blue.
Plant these tubers after the danger of frost has passed. They are heavy feeders that love rich soil. To give them the energy they need for those massive blooms, mix a phosphorus-rich fertilizer like {Jobe’s Organics Bone Meal} into the planting hole. It promotes strong root development which is crucial for supporting tall plants.
2. The Elegant Cut Flower: Gladiolus
For vertical interest, nothing beats the sword-like foliage and tall flower spikes of the gladiolus. They add a sophisticated, architectural element to the back of a border and are arguably the best cut flower you can grow.
For a continuous supply of bouquets, don’t plant them all at once. Plant a batch of corms every two weeks from your last frost date until early July. This succession planting ensures you have fresh blooms all summer. Use a sharp pair of {Gonicc Professional Pruning Shears} to harvest the stalks when the bottom florets just begin to open.
3. The Fragrant Beauty: Oriental Lily
While Asiatic lilies bloom earlier, Oriental lilies are the true queens of fragrance. Varieties like the famous ‘Stargazer’ or the pure white ‘Casa Blanca’ produce large, star-shaped flowers with an intoxicating perfume that can scent an entire patio.
Plant these bulbs in spring in a spot that gets plenty of sun but keeps the roots cool. Mulching is essential here. They look stunning planted in groups of three or five between perennials like hostas or ferns.
4. The Tropical Giant: Canna Lily
If you want to create instant jungle vibes, look no further than Canna lilies. Grown as much for their massive, banana-like leaves as for their vibrant flowers, they love heat and moisture.
The foliage can be green, bronze, or strikingly variegated. Plant the rhizomes in full sun and water generously. They are fantastic in large containers where they can serve as the tall centerpiece. To keep them thriving in pots, use a high-quality soil like {Miracle-Gro Potting Mix} to ensure they hold enough moisture without becoming waterlogged.
5. The Shade Lover: Begonia
Most summer bulbs demand full sun, but tuberous begonias are the exception. They are the perfect flower bulbs to plant in spring for brightening up shady porches, north-facing window boxes, and hanging baskets.
Their flowers are incredibly intricate, resembling camellias or roses. Start the tubers indoors a few weeks before the last frost to give them a head start. They prefer shallow planting and need good air circulation to prevent mildew.
6. The Hummingbird Magnet: Crocosmia
Native to South Africa, Crocosmia brings a fiery warmth to the garden. The arching stems hold rows of tubular flowers in shades of red, orange, and yellow that are irresistible to hummingbirds.
These corms are tough and drought-tolerant once established. They multiply quickly, forming large clumps that look like ornamental grass when not in bloom. They are excellent for adding movement and texture to a perennial border.
7. The Sophisticated Calla Lily
With their sleek, modern lines and elegant trumpet shape, Calla lilies add a touch of class to any garden. While white is the classic choice, they now come in shades of deep purple, yellow, pink, and even near-black.
Plant the rhizomes in rich, moist soil. They are fantastic container plants and look elegant on a modern patio. Keep the soil consistently moist for the best blooms. Checking soil moisture is easy with a simple tool, but ensuring you don’t overwater is key.
8. The Whimsical Elephant Ear (Colocasia)
For sheer size and impact, Elephant Ears are unmatched. While they rarely flower in temperate climates, their massive, heart-shaped leaves are the main attraction. Some varieties have leaves that can reach 3 feet long!
They love water and heat. You can even plant them directly in a pond or water garden. Because digging large holes for these tubers can be a workout, using an {Edward Tools Bulb Planter} can help remove soil cores quickly for smaller varieties, or a sturdy spade for the giants.
9. The Butterfly Favorite: Liatris
Also known as Blazing Star, Liatris is a North American native that shoots up fuzzy purple spikes in mid-summer. Uniquely, they bloom from the top down.
These inexpensive corms are incredibly hardy and drought-tolerant. They are a must-have for any pollinator garden, attracting butterflies and bees by the dozen. Plant them in drifts for a purple haze effect.
10. The Exotic Pineapple Lily (Eucomis)
If you want a conversation starter, plant a Pineapple Lily. True to its name, the flower spike looks exactly like a miniature pineapple, complete with a tuft of green leaves on top.
These bulbs hail from South Africa and love a warm, sunny spot. Their star-shaped flowers last for weeks and slowly fade to attractive seed heads. They look fantastic in pots where their unique details can be admired up close.
11. The Colorful Caladium
Like Elephant Ears, Caladiums are grown for their spectacular foliage. Their heart-shaped leaves are splashed with patterns of pink, red, white, and green. They are perfect for adding color to shady areas where flowers struggle to bloom.
Plant the tubers in warm soil—they really dislike the cold. They are ideal companions for impatiens and begonias. To keep track of which stunning leaf pattern is which, especially if you dig them up in fall, use {WHATOOK Plant Labels}.
12. The Late Bloomer: Nerine
Just when the rest of the garden is winding down in autumn, Nerine (Guernsey Lily) puts on a show. These bulbs produce spider-like pink flowers on naked stems in September or October.
Plant them in spring in a warm, sheltered spot, ideally against a south-facing wall. They like to be baked by the sun in summer. They are a wonderful surprise ending to the gardening season. Planting and maintaining these beds requires time on your knees, so a {Garden Kneeler and Seat} is a back-saving investment.
Recommended Products for Spring Planting
| Product | Use Case |
|---|---|
| {Jobe’s Organics Bone Meal} | Essential phosphorus boost for root development in heavy feeders like Dahlias. |
| {Gonicc Professional Pruning Shears} | Perfect for harvesting thick Gladiolus stalks cleanly. |
| {Miracle-Gro Potting Mix} | Provides the moisture retention and drainage needed for container bulbs like Cannas. |
| {Edward Tools Bulb Planter} | Makes digging uniform holes for smaller corms and tubers quick and easy. |
| {WHATOOK Plant Labels} | Helps identify different varieties of Caladiums and Dahlias. |
| {Garden Kneeler and Seat} | Saves your knees and back during long planting and weeding sessions. |
A Summer of Color Awaits
Choosing flower bulbs to plant in spring is like curating a living art gallery for your summer yard. These plants offer shapes, sizes, and colors that you simply can’t find in standard bedding annuals.
Whether you go for the dramatic flair of a dinner-plate dahlia or the sweet perfume of an Oriental lily, you are setting the stage for months of beauty. So grab your trowel, wait for the soil to warm, and get ready to plant the garden of your dreams.
