Spring Planted Perennial Bulbs

Most perennial bulbs are planted in the fall, overwintered, and then in the spring time their colorful blooms burst forth. If you have planted tulips or daffodils, for examples, you will know that these perennial bulbs are planted during the fall so that they will have time to develop adequate root structure come the following spring, which is necessary for those beautiful flowers to bloom.

But there is another class of perennial bulbs that gardeners can plant in the spring. These are generally perennial bulbs that bloom in the later summer or early fall. Since these perennial bulbs bloom later in the season, they will have time to develop adequate root structure prior to blooming if planted early enough in the springtime.

And yet another class of perennial bulbs are often planted in the springtime. These are perennial bulbs that are too tender for the region the gardener is in, and thus they must be treated as annuals since they will not survive winter temperatures below a certain degree.

Some popular bulbs planted in the spring for later color in the season include Gladiola, Dahlia and some Lilies (such as the Calla Lily). Gladiolas are grown from corms and bloom on average eight to nine weeks after planting. Dahlias are tender tubers that bloom in late summer and early autumn. Tender lily species like the Calla Lily are also planted in early spring after danger of frost has passed, and will bloom late spring to early summer.

You can greatly extend your perennial bulb garden variety and selection by using both spring and fall planted perennial bulbs. I encourage you to try out some the above perennial bulbs in your garden this spring! To read even more about perennial bulbs, including other selections and advice on planting and caring for your perennial bulbs, please return to the Perennial Bulbs Home Page.