Table 1. General Characteristics of Summer and Fall Flowering Bulbs

Scientific Name
Common Name Geophyte Color Planting Season Planting Depth (inches/cm) Flowering Season Height (inches/cm)
Achimenes
Magic Flower, Orchid Pansy, Widow's Tears, Nut-Orchid Scaly rhizome Blue, Peach, Pink, Red, Orange, White, Purple, Yellow Spring Cover 1/2.5 Summer 12-18 /30-45
Acidanthera bicolor
Abyssinian, Gladiolus, Sword Lily Corm White with maroon center Spring 5/12.5 Summer 24-36 /60-90
Agapanthus
Lily of the Nile, African lily Fleshy rhizome Blue, Pink, White Spring Cover 1/2.5 Summer 12-60 /30-150
Albuca
Sentry-Boxes, Soldier-in-the- Box Bulb Yellow or White with green or red stripes Fall /Spring 8/20 Summer 24-36 /60-90
Allium
Ornamental onions Bulb Red, White, Purple Fall Cover 5-8 /12.5-20 Late Spring /Early Summer 12-48 /30-120
Alstroemeria
Peruvian lily, Lily-of-the-Inc as Tuberous roots Orange, Pink, Rose, Purple, Red, Yellow, White Spring 8/20 Late Spring/ Early Summer 12-48 /30-120
Amaryllis belladonna
Naked lady, Belladonna Lily Bulb Pink, Rose, Red Early Summer Even with soil Summer 24-36 /60-90
Amaryllis (Hippeastrum)
Dutch Amaryllis Bulb Orange, Red, Rose, Pink, White, Bicolored Fall /Spring 8/20 Late Spring /Early Summer 24-36/60-90
Anemone coronaria St. Brigid de Caen
Windflower Tuber Blue, Pink, Red, White Fall /Spring Cover 3/7.5 Late Spring /Summer 12-15 /30-40
Anthericum liliago
St. Bernard's Lily Tuberous roots White Fall 6/15 Early Summer 24/60
Antholyza
Aunt Eliza Rat's Rail Corm Red Fall 6/15 Spring 24/60
Babiana
Baboon Flower, Blue Freesias Corm Blue Fall 5/12.5 Late Spring /Early Summer 8-18 /20-45
Begonia (Tuberous Hybrids)
Belgian Begonias, Tuberous Begonias Enlarged hypocotyl Red, Yellow, White, Pink, Bicolors Spring Cover 2/5 Summer /Fall 12-18 /30-45
Belamcanda chinensis
Blackberry Lily, Leopard Flower Rhizome Orange, Red, Spots Spring 5/12.5 Summer 30-36 /75-90
Bessera
Coral Drops Corm Red, Purple Spring Cover 4/10 Summer 24/60
Bletilla striata
Chinese Ground Orchid Tuberous rhizome Purple, White Fall /Spring 5/12.5 Late Spring 12-24 /30-60
Bloomeria
Golden Stars Corm Yellow Fall /Spring Cover 3/7.5 Late Spring /Early Summer 12-18 /30/45
Brodiaea (Triteleia)
Starflower, Wild Hyacinth, Grass Nut Corm Blue Fall 5/12.5 Early Summer 12-20/30-45
Caladium
Elephant's Ear, Angel Wings Tuber Grown for leaf colors: Pink, White, Green Spring Cover 1/2.5 Summer 6-24 /15-60
Calochortus
Butterfly Tulip, Mariposa Lily, Globe Tulip, Star Tulip Bulb Pink, White, Yellow, Orange, Red, Purple Fall 5/15 Early Summer 6-24 /15-60
Camassia
Quamash, Wild Hyacinth, Camas Bulb Blue, Purple Fall 8/15 Late Spring 24-36 /60-90
Canna
Indian Shot, Arrowroot Rhizome Rose, Pink, Red, Yellow, Orange, Salmon, Bicolored Spring Cover 4/10 Summer 24-84 /60-210
Cardiocrinum
Giant Lily, Easter Lily Bulb White Fall /Spring Cover 1/2.5 Summer 36-72 /90-180
Chasmanthe
Pennants Corm Orange, Yellow Fall /Spring 5/12.5 Summer 48-60 /120-150
Chlidanthus fragrans
Perfumed Fairy Lily, Delicate Lily Bulb Yellow Spring Cover 1/2.5 Summer 10-12 /22-30
Clivia
Kaffir Lily, Boslelie, Bush Lily Fleshy roots Orange, Yellow Late Spring /Early Summer Cover 1/2.5 Summer 18-24 /45-60
Colchicum autumnale
Autumn Crocus, Wonder Bulb, Mysteria Corm Pink, White Summer 5/12.5 Fall 4-12 /10-30
Colocasia
Elephant's Ear, Taro, Dasheen Tuber Grown for green leaves Spring Cover 4/10 Summer 36-84/90-210
x Crinodonna
A hybrid - Crinum x A. belladonna Bulb Pink Fall /Spring 8/20 Summer 30/90
Crinum
Cape Lily, Spider Lily, Swamp Lily Bulb Pink, White, Bicolored Fall /Spring 8/24 Summer 24-48 /60-120
Crocosmia (Montbretia)
Coppertip, Falling Stars Corm Orange, Red, Yellow Spring 5/12.5 Late Summer 34-36 /60-90
Crocus (Autumn Species)
Fall Crocus Corm Purple, White Summer 5/12.5 Fall 4-6 /10-15
Curcuma
Turmeric Tuberous roots Pink Spring Cover 4/10 Summer 18-24 /45-60
Curtonus
Pleated Leaves Corm Orange-Red Spring Cover 4/10 Summer 36-48 /90-120
Cyclamen
Snowbread, Persian Violet, Alpine Violet Enlarged hypocotyl Pink, Purple, White Fall 5/12.5 Fall/Late Spring 6-14 /15-35
Cyrtanthus
Fire Lily Bulb Orange, Pink, Red, White Fall /Spring Cover 1/2.5 Summer /Fall 12-18 /30-45
Dahlia
Dahlias Tuberous roots Most colors Spring Cover 3/7.5 Summer /Fall 12-96 /30-240
Dietes
Fortnight Lily, African Iris Rhizome White, Yellow Summer Cover 1/2.5 Spring 36/90
Eremurus
Foxtail Lily, Desert Candle Tuberous roots Pink, Orange, Salmon, White, Yellow Fall 6/15 Summer 36-72 /90-180
Eucharis
Amazon Lily Bulb White Spring Cover 1/2.5 Summer 24/60
Eucomis
Pineapple Lily, King's Flower Bulb Green, Purple, White Spring 8/20 Summer 12-24 /30-60
Eucrosia
-- Bulb Orange Spring 8/20 Late Spring .
Freesia
Freesias Corm Blue, Pink, Red, White, Yellow Spring in the South, Fall in the North 5/12.5 Summer in the South, Spring in the North 12-18 /30-45
Galtonia
Cape Hyacinth, Summer Hyacinth, Spire Lily Bulb White Spring 6/15 Summer 36-48 /90-120
Gladiolus
Glads, Sword Lilies Corm Most Colors Spring 5/12.5 Spring /Summer 24-48 /50-100
Gloriosa
Glory Flower, Climbing Lily, Flame Lily Tuber Red Spring Cover 2/5 Summer Climbing vine
Habranthus
Rain Lily Bulb Copper, Red, Pink, Rose Spring Cover 3/7.5 Summer 6-12 /15-30
Haemanthus (Scadoxus)
Blood Lily, Red-Cape-Lily, Catherine Wheel, Paint Brush Bulb Red Spring Cover 1/2.5 Summer 12-16 /30-40
Hemerocallis
Day Lily Tuberous roots Most colors Spring or Fall Cover 1/2.5 Summer 12-36 /30-90
Hippeastrum (Amaryllis)
Dutch Amaryllis Bulb Orange, Red, Rose, Pink, White, Bicolored Fall /Spring 8/20 Late Spring /Early Summer 24-36 /60-90
Homeria
Cape Tulip Corm Orange, Yellow Spring Cover 2/5 Summer 20/50
Hymenocallis
Spider Lily, Ismene, Peruvian Daffodil Bulb Cream, White, Yellow Spring 5/12.5 Summer 12-24/30-60
Incarvillea delavyi
Hardy Gloxinia Tuberous roots Pink Spring Cover 3/7.5 Summer 24/50
Iris
Rhizomatous Iris, Bearded Iris Rhizome Most colors Spring or Fall Even/Soil Summer 4-48 /5-120
Ixia
African Corn-Lily Corm Pink, Red, Purple, Yellow, White Fall in South; Spring in the North 5/15 Spring in South; Summer in the North 12-18 /30-45
Kniphofia
Red Hot Poker, Torch Lily Enlarged rhizome Orange, Red, Yellow Spring Cover 4/10 Early summer 18-36 /45-90
Lapeirousia
Painted Petals, Pink Bermudiana Corm Pink, Red Fall Cover 2/5 Early summer 6-18 /15-45
Leucojum autumnale
Autumn Snowflake Bulb White tipped Green Spring 5/12.5 Fall 6-12 /15-30
Liatris
Blazing Stars, Gay Feather, Snakeroot Corm Blue, White Spring or Fall 5/12.5 Summer 12-48 /30-120
Lilium
Lilies Bulb Most colors Fall or spring 8/20 Summer 12-72 /30-180
Lycoris aurea, L. radiata, L. squamigera
Spider Lily, Resurrection Lily, Magic Lily, Naked Lily Bulb Yellow, Pink, Red, Rose Spring 8/20 Fall 12-38 /30-60
16/38
16/38
Mill
Mexican Star, Starlikes Corm White/Green Spring Cover 1/2.5 Summer 10-16 /25-40
Montbretia (Croscosmia)
Coppertip, Falling Star Corm Orange, Red, Yellow Spring 5/12.5 Late summer 24-36/60-90
Moraea
Peacock Flower Corm Blue, White, Yellow Early Spring 4/10 Summer 4-48 /10-120
Nerine
Guernsey Lily Bulb Pink, Red, White Fall Cover 2/5 Late summer 14-36 /35-90
Nomocharis
-- Bulb Pink, Rose, White Fall 6/15 Summer 12-36 /30-90
Ornithogalum (Tender species)
Star of Bethlehem Bulb White/Green Fall /Spring Cover 4/10 Summer 10-16 /25-40
Oxalis (Tender species)
Wood-Sorrel Tuber or bulb Pink, White Fall /Spring Cover 2/5 Summer 14-12 /10-30
Polianthes
Tuberose, Polyanthus Lily Bulb White Spring Cover 4/10 Summer 18-48 /45-120
Ranunculus
Persian Buttercup Tuberous roots Most colors Fall /Spring Cover 3/7.5 Spring to Summer 2-24 /30-60
Rhodohypoxis
Red Star Corm Red, Pink, White Spring Cover 1/2.5 Summer 4/10
Sandersonia aurantiaca
Christmas Bells Tuber Yellow Spring Cover 3/7.5 Summer 20-35 /50-70
Scadoxus
Torch Lily, Paint Brush, Shaving Brush Bulb Red Spring Cover 1/2.5 Summer 12-16 /30-40
Schizostylis
Kaffir Lily, Crimson Flag Rhizome Pink, Red Spring 2/5 Fall 18-28 /45-70
Sparaxis
Harlequin Flower, Wandflower Corm Salmon-Orange, White, Yellow, Red, Purple Fall or Spring 5/12.5 Spring, Summer 12-18/30-45
Sprekelia
Aztec Lily, Jacobean Lily Bulb Red Spring Cover 2/5 Summer 12-16 /30-40
Sternbergia lutea
Winter Daffodil, Fall Daffodil Bulb Yellow Summer 5/12.5 Fall 6-8 /15-20
Tigridia
Tiger or Mexican Shell Flowers Bulb Pink, Red, White, Yellow Spring 4/10 Summer 18-24 /45-60
Triteleia (Brodiaea) laxa
Starflower, Wild Hyacinth, Grass Nut Corm Blue Fall 5/12.5 Early Summer 12-20 /30-45
Tritonia
Blazing Star Corm Red, Yellow Fall /Spring 4/10 Late Spring, Summer 24/60
Tulbaghia violacea
Society Garlic, Sweet Garlic, Pink Agapanthus Tuberous Roots Pink Fall /Spring Cover 2/5 Summer 12-16 /30-40
Vallota
Scarborough Lily, George Lily Bulb Pink, Red Spring Cover 2/5 Summer 14-24 /35-60
Veltheimia
Cape Lily, Red Hot Poker Bulb Pink Spring Cover 1/2.5 Summer 16-24 /40-60
Watsonia
Bugle Lily Corm Orange, Pink, Red, White, Yellow Fall Cover 3/7.5 Early summer 36-48 /90-120
Zantedeschia
Calla Lily Tuber, Rhizome Pink, Red, Purple, White, Yellow Fall /Spring Cover 2/5 Late Spring, Early summer 12-24 /30-60
Zephyranthes
Zephyr Lily, Fairy Lily, Rain Lily Bulb Pink, White Fall /Spring Cover 1/2.5 Late summer 6-12/15-30