18 Favorite Bulb Flowers for Year-Round Color
Reticulated Iris (Iris reticulata)
‘February Gold’ Daffodil (Narcissus ‘February Gold’)
This spring favorite opens its cheery blooms as early as February in Zone 7. Look for flowers from March to mid-spring as you head north. Landscape use: Plant in clumps of six for impact. Use in woodland areas, along border edges or in front of evergreen shrubs. Hardy in Zones 4 to 8.
Siberian Squill (Scilla siberica)
Tulip (Tulipa) and Daffodil (Narcissus)
Crown Imperial (Fritillaria imperialis)
‘Globemaster’ Ornamental Onion (Allium ‘Globemaster’)
Martagon Lily (Lilium martagon)
Flower petals recurve beautifully on this lily, appearing in late spring to early summer, depending on the latitude (later further north). Stems top out around 4 feet and can bear upwards of a dozen flowers each in shades of pink, gold or white. Landscape use: Include in a perennial border or butterfly garden. Hardy in Zones 3 to 8.
‘Lily Allen’ Asiatic Lily (Lilium ‘Lily Allen’)
‘Stargazer’ Oriental Lily (Lilium ‘Stargazer’)
Eye-catching pink blooms boast white-edged petals and an alluring fragrance. This Oriental lily flowers in mid- to late summer. Flowers unfurl atop stems 3 to 4 feet tall. Landscape use: Tuck into perennial borders or cutting gardens. Hardy in Zones 4 to 9.
‘Sunshine’ Calla Lily (Zantedeschia ‘Sunshine’)
Blue Storm Lily of the Nile (Agapanthus praecox orientalis ‘ATIBlu’)
Dinner Plate Dahlias (Dahlia hybrids)
Rubrum lilies (Lilium speciosum ‘Rubrum’)
Striking white-edged crimson flowers have recurved petals that peel back from the dangling blooms. This is one of the latest flowering lilies, with blossoms appearing from late summer into fall. Expect 10 to 15 flowers per bulb. Stems grow 5 to 7 feet tall but don’t normally need staking. Landscape use: Include in a perennial or butterfly garden. Hardy in Zones 5 to 8.
Autumn Crocus (Colchicum autumnale)
Autumn crocus sends up a tuft of strappy, 10-inch-long leaves in spring, which fade as summer heat arrives. Pink flowers grace the garden in fall. Bulbs need sharp drainage. Landscape use: Tuck into woodland or meadow gardens, or use in areas where fading summer plantings can use a pick-me-up. Hardy in Zones 4 to 8.
Spider Lily (Lycoris radiata)
Paperwhite Narcissus (Narcissus tazetta)
Winter Aconite (Eranthis hyemalis)
Tiny in stature but big on beauty, winter aconite opens it golden blossoms as early as February in areas with mild winters. Expect blooms to linger up to 4 weeks. Plants grow 3 to 5 inches tall. Landscape use: Place in planting beds along entry paths so you don’t miss the show. Hardy in Zones 4 to 7.
Common Snowdrop (Galanthus nivalis)
Three-lobed white blossoms surround a green-tipped white central tube. Plants are small, topping out at 6 to 8 inches. In regions with mild winters, plants flower from fall through winter. Landscape use: Tuck along paths so you don’t miss the show. Pair with hardy ground cover Vinca minor for a pretty spring display. Hardy in Zones 3 to 8.

Photo By: Courtesy of Colorblends.com