Flowering Bulbs

28 plants

Bulbs are the easiest flowers you'll ever grow. Plant in fall, forget about them, discover them again in spring. Daffodils are deer-proof. Alliums are dramatic in a way most perennials can't match. Dahlias are the best cut flower in the garden: plant them in June and cut from August until frost. The main mistake people make with bulbs is not planting enough of them.

SnowdropJan-Mar
Snowdrop
Delicate nodding bells that bloom fearlessly in late winter cold.
Z3-8·moderate water
CrocusFeb-Apr
Crocus
One of the first signs of spring, pushing through snow with jewel-toned cups.
Z3-8·low water
Winter AconiteFeb-Mar
Winter Aconite
Buttercup-yellow blooms that push through frozen ground before the crocuses.
Z3-8·moderate water
Anemone de CaenMar-May
Anemone de Caen
Poppy-like flowers in jewel tones bloom in mid-spring over ferny foliage.
Z7-10·moderate water
DaffodilMar-May
Daffodil
Cheerful trumpets that naturalize beautifully and return stronger each year.
Z3-10·moderate water
Fawn LilyMar-May
Fawn Lily
Mottled leaves and nodding white flowers with swept-back petals emerge in early spring from Pacific Northwest woodlands.
Z4-8·moderate water
Glory-of-the-SnowMar-Apr
Glory-of-the-Snow
Star-shaped blooms that appear as snow melts. Naturalizes into drifts.
Z3-8·moderate water
Grape HyacinthMar-May
Grape Hyacinth
Tiny grape-like clusters that spread into rivers of blue over time.
Z3-8·low water
HyacinthMar-Apr
Hyacinth
Dense, intensely fragrant spikes. One bulb can perfume an entire room.
Z3-8·moderate water
Ice Follies DaffodilMar-Apr
Ice Follies Daffodil
White petals frame a wide, ruffled cup that opens yellow and fades to cream. Multiplies fast.
Z3-9·moderate water
King Alfred DaffodilMar-Apr
King Alfred Daffodil
The classic golden trumpet daffodil. Naturalizes into massive sweeps that return for decades.
Z3-9·moderate water
Persian ButtercupMar-May
Persian Buttercup
Ruffled, rose-like blooms in vivid colors brighten cool spring beds and pots.
Z8-11·moderate water
ScillaMar-Apr
Scilla
Carpets of brilliant blue that naturalize under trees with zero effort.
Z3-8·moderate water
TulipMar-May
Tulip
The classic spring icon in almost every color imaginable.
Z3-8·moderate water
Apeldoorn TulipApr-May
Apeldoorn Tulip
Bold, goblet-shaped Darwin hybrid in scarlet with a black base. Strong stems and long-lasting.
Z3-8·moderate water
CamassiaApr-Jun
Camassia
Tall spikes of starry flowers rise above strappy foliage in late spring.
Z3-8·moderate water
FritillariaApr-May
Fritillaria
Checkered, nodding bells with an otherworldly pattern. A collector's favorite.
Z3-8·moderate water
Queen of Night TulipApr-May
Queen of Night Tulip
The darkest tulip. Satiny, near-black maroon blooms that look almost unreal in late spring.
Z3-8·moderate water
Thalia DaffodilApr-May
Thalia Daffodil
Pure white, swept-back petals with two to three blooms per stem. Orchid-like elegance.
Z3-9·moderate water
AlliumMay-Jun
Allium
Dramatic globe-shaped heads on tall stems. Architectural and deer-proof.
Z5-9·low water
Dutch IrisMay-Jun
Dutch Iris
Slender stems bear elegant iris blooms in late spring to early summer.
Z5-9·moderate water
Asiatic LilyJun-Jul
Asiatic Lily
Upward-facing blooms in a wide range of vivid colors. Easy to grow and brilliant in the summer border.
Z3-9·moderate water
Tiger LilyJun-Aug
Tiger Lily
Spotted orange-yellow turk's cap blooms on tall stems. The fire-bright wildflower of Pacific Northwest meadows and open forests.
Z5-8·moderate water
CrocosmiaJul-Aug
Crocosmia
Arching sprays of fiery red-orange that hummingbirds go crazy for. Sword-like foliage adds structure.
Z5-9·moderate water
DahliaJul-Oct
Dahlia
Endless forms from dinner-plate to pompom. The obsession of flower farmers.
Z3-10·moderate water
Emily McKenzie CrocosmiaJul-Sep
Emily McKenzie Crocosmia
Bold orange blooms with red throats appear on graceful arching stems in late summer.
Z5-9·moderate water
Oriental LilyJul-Aug
Oriental Lily
Huge, intensely fragrant blooms in deep pink and white that perfume the entire garden. The lily that defines summer.
Z3-9·moderate water
TuberoseJul-Sep
Tuberose
Tall summer spikes of waxy white blooms release powerful evening fragrance.
Z7-10·moderate water

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