Popular Bulb Varieties for Your Garden: Hyacinths, Irises, and Lilies

Bulbs are beloved for hardiness, low cost, and color variety. Planting bulbs with staggered bloom times ensures a season-long display. Here are three popular groups.

Dutch Hyacinths

Instantly recognizable with foot-high, fragrant, bell-shaped flower spikes in red, pink, buff, white, blue, purple. Best in cold climates; plant Sept–Oct. In mild areas, treat as annuals; plant Oct–Dec. Plant 4–5 inches deep and apart. Full sun; regular water during growth and bloom.

Irises (Bearded)

Striking plants in a dazzling color range and various sizes. Plant rhizomes July–Aug (cold) or Sept–Oct (warm). Space 1–2 feet apart, tops just below soil surface. Full sun or light shade; regular water during growing season.

Lilium (Asiatic & Oriental Hybrid Lilies)

Asiatic: Early summer bloom, 6 inches to 4.5 feet tall, 4–6 inch blossoms in white, yellow, orange, pink, red.
Oriental: Mid-summer to early autumn, 2–6 feet tall, large fragrant flowers up to 9 inches, pink/white with stripes and speckles.

Plant bulbs 1 foot apart. Cover small bulbs 2–3 inches, medium 3–4 inches, large 4–6 inches. Plant promptly after purchase; store cool if delayed. Discard shriveled bulbs or revive in peat moss/moist sand. Most common problem: incurable viral infection—buy only healthy bulbs from reputable sources. Destroy mottled/stunted plants. Full sun or partial shade; regular water.

These bulbs deliver spectacular, reliable color year after year.