Plan Your Garden by Bloom Time

Spend time planning before planting bulbs in your landscape. Sketch the plan on graph paper before purchasing bulbs. This advance planning will ensure that the proper number of bulbs are purchased. Since the foliage of spring-blooming bulbs dies by early summer, this plan will provide a record of where the bulbs are planted in case annuals or perennials are mixed in later. Knowing the bloom time and overall flower blooming season also helps you avoid bare spots.

As you develop this plan, keep in mind that bulbs bloom at different times. Some spring bulbs have overlapping bloom periods, but they still maintain the order in which they bloom. Spring bulbs will bloom from early February to mid-June, and many of these are classic early spring flowers. Summer bulbs will bloom from early summer to fall, and a few summer blooming bulbs can even extend colour into early autumn.

The following is a general idea of various flower's bloom sequences. These bloom cycles are for general reference. The sequence depends a great deal on the weather in your area as well as the variety of bulbs you plant. To see a sample of the bulbs that grow during each bloom cycle, use our filters on the web site to sort by bloom time and by flower blooming season.

You likely know which bulbs are planted in fall, and which to plant in spring. But by doing a bit of bloom-time planning, you'll achieve a nonstop display of colour from early spring through summer—just by using easy-to-care-for bulbs. When do spring flowers bloom in your region? Check local guides, then match that information to our bloom time filters for the best results. 

Very Early Spring Blooms

• Snowdrops: Snowdrops, or Galanthus, are often the first spring flowers to appear in season—and they're a great choice for areas that stay cool a bit later in the year. These short-statured plants with small white blooms are incredibly hardy, and most early spring flowers will appear before the last day of winter, giving you a clear answer to “when do spring flowers bloom?” in cold climates.
• Snow Crocus: The early-blooming varieties within the crocus genus produce small flowers with a longer blooming season than giant crocuses. They'll start blooming in late winter, and can flower in colours of pink, purple, yellow, white, or even blue, depending on variety. As some of the earliest spring flowering bulbs, they bridge the gap between winter and true spring.
• Winter Aconite: Imagine a golden floral carpet replacing your winter snow cover. That's very nearly what you'll get from these yellow, early blooming flowers. Winter aconite offers great coverage for bare flowerbeds in early spring. The leaves are very attractive as well, and these bulbs help extend the flower blooming season at ground level.
• Early Snow Glories: Glory-of-the-snow, or Chionodoxa, can perform well in both northern and temperate climates. These fabulous blue star-shaped flowers are among the earliest spring flowers you'll see each year. They're also great for naturalizing in yards or flower beds and are ideal spring flowering bulbs for informal plantings.
• Dwarf Iris: Some varieties of irises bloom extra early—usually low-growing dwarf irises. They'll grow year after year and offer early-spring ground cover well before the larger bearded iris bloom. Mix them with other early spring flowers to create layers of height and staggered bloom time.

Early to Mid-Spring Blooms

• Grecian Windflowers: Grecian windflowers, a daisy-shaped species of anemone, bloom in shades of pink, blue, violet and white in early spring. These perennials make a nice, low-growing groundcover and pair well with other spring flowering bulbs like crocus and early tulips.
• Hyacinths: Jewel-toned hyacinths are early blooming flowers that grow in dense spikes and are among the brightest colours you'll see in early spring.
• Tulips: Dwarf and early tulips provide perfect early spring blooms, while mid-season tulips, including Triumph and Darwin hybrid tulips, take over later.
• Daffodils: Daffodil bloom times are typically in mid-spring for most variants, including giant, large-cupped, and small-cupped daffodils. Many gardeners rely on daffodils as the backbone of their spring flowering bulbs because they naturalize easily and return each year with a reliable bloom time.
• Grape Hyacinths: Blue muscari bulbs bloom a bit later, and a bit longer, than standard grape hyacinths. The unique colour of blue grape hyacinths really stands out among other mid-spring flowers, and their low habit—growing 6" to 8"—means they pair well with taller flowers.

Late Spring into Summer Blooms

• Alliums: A tall, late-spring bloom, alliums feature a single star-shaped or "pom-pom" bloom per stem. These whimsical spring flowers can be a bit tough to find at big-box stores, but they're worth ordering online or by mail!
• Bearded Iris: Among the most popular perennials in late spring, bearded irises grow in a vast variety of colours—and it seems new varieties become available every season! Bearded irises grow from rhizomes and come back year after year. They're a great "stand alone" plant or can be mixed with other tall flowers for a garden with heightened style. Planting these alongside earlier bulbs extends the flower blooming season right up to the arrival of summer blooming bulbs.
• Daylilies: There are hundreds of cultivars in dozens of colours, shapes and textures! You'll find daylilies (Hemerocallis) in shades ranging from classic red to pastel pink to neon green. Look for candy-coloured daylilies with beautifully-hued centers or piped edges. Try short dwarf daylilies, or big and bold double-flowering varieties. Many daylilies are the "reblooming" sort, meaning that you'll get a second round of flowers later in the season.
• Lilies: Asiatic lilies and Oriental lilies follow, adding height and fragrance. These plants act as a bridge between classic spring flowering bulbs and true summer blooming bulbs like gladiolus and dahlias.

Summer and Late Summer Blooms

• Gladiolus: Glads bloom just at that point of late spring when the weather turns tropical. These big and beautiful flower spikes work well when arranged in a variety of colours—bright dwarf glads have become particularly popular.
• Dahlias: From miniature dahlias to oversized "dinnerplate" types, dahlias have taken over American gardens in recent years. Dahlia tubers are planted in the spring, and bloom in summer. These high-impact flowers grow in a rainbow of colours, and, increasingly, you'll find massive flowers with amazing patterns. A great way to add a touch of whimsy to your garden! Plant these along with cannas and crocosmia to keep colour going after the spring bulbs fade. Thoughtful planning of bloom time from early spring flowers to late summer blooming bulbs ensures continuous interest.
• Begonias: Begonias are one of those quintessentially "summertime" flowers. Hardy begonias, unlike the annual begonias sold in many garden centers, will bloom year after year, and many constantly-blooming varieties will flower for several weeks or months. Try cascading begonias for the perfect hanging basket, or plant frilly double-blooming begonias to add texture to a bed.
• Cannas: Cannas bloom in August or even September in some regions—making them excellent fillers for the post-July fade that may happen with other flowers. Their tall stems sprout vivid, tropical flowers, and their foliage is glossy, too. They're a great way to wind down the growing season! When combined with earlier spring flowering bulbs and mid-season perennials, they complete a full flower blooming season that answers not just “when do spring flowers bloom,” but how to keep something in bloom from the first thaw to fall frost.
• Crocosmia: Don't let their short stature fool you, fiery crocosmia flowers have a big impact in the garden. These red- or orange-coloured blooms add a lovely pop of energy to beds or borders, and their presence won't go unnoticed by butterflies and hummingbirds!