If you love flowers that keep on giving, planting the right bulbs in autumn will reward you with stunning blooms from late winter through summer. The trick is choosing varieties that flower longer and in succession, so your garden stays vibrant for weeks — or even months.
Here are 21 incredible bulbs that not only add beauty to your outdoor spaces but also shine for a long time once they bloom.
🌼 Spring Stars
1. Tulip ‘China Town’
This elegant Viridiflora tulip offers three weeks of color in late spring with unique green-streaked petals that pair beautifully with other bloomers.
2. Daffodil ‘Tête-à-Tête’
A cheerful early bloomer with buttery yellow trumpets, perfect for welcoming spring’s first sunshine.
3. Allium ‘Globemaster’
Huge purple flower globes make a bold statement — and they keep blooming over time, with old florets fading into summer interest.
4. Fritillaria ‘Lutea Maxima’
These tall, drooping bell blooms in sunny yellow give exotic flair and long-lasting color.
5. Glory of the Snow (Chionodoxa)
Small but mighty, these star-shaped blossoms appear as winter fades, often pushing through snow patches.
6. Foxtail Lily ‘Shelford Pink’
Elegant tall spikes of soft pastel flowers extend your late spring blooms upward.
7. Hellebore ‘Mother of the Bride’
Also called Lenten rose, these delicate nodding flowers can bloom for months in late winter over shady ground.
8. Bearded Iris ‘Stairway to Heaven’
Creamy white and pale blue blooms that last through spring and can even re-bloom in fall.
9. Snowdrops ‘Viridi-apice’
Delicate white blooms with green tips peek out early, sometimes as early as late winter.
🌸 Bright Blooms That Keep Going
10. Lily ‘Peppard Gold’
Golden summer lilies with rich fragrance make a showstopping long-lasting display.
11. Winter Aconite
Low, bright yellow flowers that pop up in late winter, bringing sunshine before the season even starts.
12. Amaryllis ‘Red Lion’
With 6–10 weeks of bloom time, these large, dramatic flowers are spectacular in beds or pots.
13. English Bluebells
Soft blue, bell-shaped blossoms that can last about five weeks in the right conditions.
14. Allium ‘Powder Puff’
A compact allium with pinkish-purple spheres that draw pollinators and delight the eyes.
15. Crocus ‘Flower Record’
Rich purple flowers that rise early and often naturalize over time for a lasting show.
16. Camas Lily (Camassia)
Tall lavender-blue spikes that bloom steadily and look lovely in naturalized gardens.
🌿 More Long-Bloom Favorites
17. Daffodil ‘Salome’
A delicate peaches-and-cream daffodil that extends the heart of spring color.
18. Hyacinth ‘Carnegie’
Pure white spires with intense fragrance that fill gardens (and rooms!) with scent.
19. Anemone ‘Blue Shades’
Low, daisy-like blue flowers that create charming carpets in the garden.
20. Bonus Tip: Peonies like ‘Coral Sunset’
Though technically not a bulb, peonies bloom late spring into early summer with stunning, ruffled flowers that stay open for a long time when planted in groups.
🌱 Tips to Get the Most Out of Your Bulbs
🌷 Plant in fall – most long-bloom bulbs need cool soil to set roots before winter.
🌞 Mix early, mid, and late bloomers – this stretches your flowering season and keeps your garden colorful longer.
🌼 Cluster bulbs together for the best visual impact.
Would you like a printable planting calendar to plan these bulbs by bloom time? I can make one for PetalWhirl readers!