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: Allium, Anemone, Bluebell, Daffodil, Hyacinth, Snowdrop, 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.