Difference Between Spring and Summer Flower Bulbs

Flower bulbs are often discusses in two groups, Spring and Summer flowering, for convenience, regardless of the type of bulb / corm / rhizome.

Spring bulbs are mainly planted in Autumn, and Summer bulbs during the growing season from mid-Spring.

Spring-Blooming Bulbs:

  • Always Winter hardy.
  • Planted in Autumn to bloom the following Spring (unless planted ‘in the green’ in Spring)
  • Maintenance: None, unless old clumps need division. Most will bloom annually, some for many years.
  • Examples: AlliumAnemoneBluebellDaffodilHyacinthSnowdrop, Lily, Tulip

Summer-Blooming Bulbs:

  • May need protection in Winter.
  • Planted in Spring to bloom that Summer
  • Maintenance: Can be treated as annuals or dug up and stored in a frost-free area over winter for replanting the following spring. Many varieties survive Winter under mulch.
  • Examples: Dahlia, Canna, Gladiola, tuberous Begonias.

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