Stephen Albert
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:
