Spring-Planted Bulbs: First Year Flowers For New Perennial Beds
by High Country Gardens
Our pre-planned perennial gardens have been very popular with High Country Garden customers for many years. Yet, as with all perennials, it often takes until the second growing season for them to reach mature size and fill out their planting bed.
For those of us who might be a little impatient for colorful flowers, spring planted bulbs can be an ideal solution. These bulbs can be inter-planted into the new pre-planned garden where they will bloom that first year they are planted.
An Easy Transition for That Second Growing Season
Many of these inexpensive spring planted bulbs are not cold hardy, so they can be used as annuals. Because they will generally freeze out over the winter, your pre-planned garden perennials will have plenty of room to grow up and bloom that following spring. It makes for an easy and low-care transition from the first season to the second one.
![Youth Dew Gladiolus, Gladiolus Youth Dew]()
Green blossoms are prized by gardeners who love to use unusual accents, and the chartreuse color of ‘Youth Dew’ Gladiolus are tops the list. With a strong vertical shape and an a...
Learn MoreYouth Dew Gladiolus Youth Dew Gladiolus Gladiolus Youth Dew$13.99 Sale $13.20Sale Price I Save 6%Per Bag of 15Green blossoms are prized by gardeners who love to use unusual accents, and the chartreuse color of ‘Youth Dew’ Gladiolus are tops the list. With a strong vertical shape and an abundance of lemon-lime blossoms, tall ‘Youth Dew’ will contrast shades of violet, harmonize with whites and greens, and add a bright note of citrus to your garden. Heat tolerant, deer-resistant blooms attract pollinators and hummingbirds throughout the summer.Learn More![Hardy Gladiolus Nanus Mix, Gladiolus nanus, Hardy Gladiolus]()
These smaller growing Gladiolus are cold hardy to zone 5 (when well mulched for winter). The mixture of pink, white and bi-colored flowers are wonderful at the front of your perennia...
Learn MoreHardy Gladiolus Mix Hardy Gladiolus Mix Gladiolus nanus MixAs low as $14.99 Sale $13.40Per Bag of 25These smaller growing Gladiolus are cold hardy to zone 5 (when well mulched for winter). The mixture of pink, white and bi-colored flowers are wonderful at the front of your perennial border.Learn More![Black Beauty Gladiolus Flowers]()
Black Beauty Gladiolus (Gladiolus x hortulanus ‘Black Beauty’) rules the summer garden like a queen with its deep red, velvety spikes of flowers. Appearing almost black, they shi...
Learn MoreBlack Beauty Gladiolus Black Beauty Gladiolus Gladiolus Black Beauty$13.99 Sale $12.50Sale Price I Save 11%Per Bag of 15Black Beauty Gladiolus (Gladiolus x hortulanus ‘Black Beauty’) rules the summer garden like a queen with its deep red, velvety spikes of flowers. Appearing almost black, they shimmer in the summer sun, lending a vertical elegance to a garden bed. Plant with white Gladiolus for a dramatic effect.Learn More![Gladiolus Parrot Mix, Gladiolus, Large Flowering Gladiolus]()
Native to South Africa, this hybrid mix of multi-colored beauties with contrasting edges, throats and blended shades is spectacular. Grow your own cut flower bouquets. Cold hardy in ...
Learn MoreParrot Gladiolus Mix Parrot Gladiolus Mix Gladiolus Parrot Mix$15.99 Sale $14.30Sale Price I Save 11%Per Bag of 25Native to South Africa, this hybrid mix of multi-colored beauties with contrasting edges, throats and blended shades is spectacular. Grow your own cut flower bouquets. Cold hardy in zones 8-10. In colder zones lift the bulbs in fall and store in a cool place over the winter.Learn More
Spring Bulbs That Can Be Used as Annuals
- Gladiolus acidanthera (Peacock Orchid) - white fragrant flowers
- Gladiolus hybrids 'Parrot Mix', 'Rainbow Mix','Purple Flora', 'Mardi Gras Mix', 'Peter Pears' - fabulous cut flowers in designer color mixes. 'Purple Flora' has to be seen to be believed!
- Sandersonia aurantiaca (Chinese Lantern Lily) - whimsical, yellow hanging bells
- Sprekelia formosissima (Aztec Lilies) - a heat loving bulb with exotic deep red flowers
- Tigrida pavonia 'Red' (Red Mexican Shell Flower) - big, cheerful red spotted flowers
- Tigridia Mix (Mexican Shell Flower) - a showy mix of bright colors; like planting a flower party
- Triteleia Mix (Star Flowers) - nice deer and rabbit resistant native bulbs in shades of blue and white. (Modestly cold hardy so may overwinter in USDA zone 7.)
![Crocosmia Lucifer Courtesy of Walter's Gardens Inc.]()
Crocosmia Lucifer blooms in summer with brilliant, hummingbird attracting scarlet-red flowers on arching stems. Plant Crocosmia Lucifer bulbs (corms) in spring for very showy blooms ...
Learn MoreLucifer Crocosmia Lucifer Montbretia Crocosmia Lucifer$11.99 Sale $10.70Sale Price I Save 11%Per Bag of 10Crocosmia Lucifer blooms in summer with brilliant, hummingbird attracting scarlet-red flowers on arching stems. Plant Crocosmia Lucifer bulbs (corms) in spring for very showy blooms and excellent cut flowers.Learn More![White Calla Lily Albomaculata, Zantedeschia, Calla Lily]()
Calla Lily Albomaculata is a classic, creamy white Calla Lily and looks stunning in the garden or a bouquet. Sometimes called the Florist's Calla Lily, this variety reaches a height ...
Learn MoreFlorist's White Calla Lily Florist's White Calla Lily Zantedeschia albomaculata$9.99 Sale $8.90Sale Price I Save 11%Per Bag of 1Calla Lily Albomaculata is a classic, creamy white Calla Lily and looks stunning in the garden or a bouquet. Sometimes called the Florist's Calla Lily, this variety reaches a height of only 12-14” and has deep green leaves flecked with small white spots.Learn More![Caladium Mix, Caladium, Fancy Leaf Caladium]()
Caladium Mix (Elephant Ear) provides a blend of five different varieties that will brighten the shady and partially shaded areas of your landscape with colorful foliage....
Learn MoreCaladium Mix Caladium Mix$14.99 Sale $14.20Sale Price I Save 5%Per Bag of 5Caladium Mix (Elephant Ear) provides a blend of five different varieties that will brighten the shady and partially shaded areas of your landscape with colorful foliage.Learn More![Pet Safe Canna Collection]()
Our Pet Safe Collection of Cannasol™ Canna Lilies brings peace of mind for pet owners with colorful long-blooming compact plants that are safe for dogs and cats. Our trio cascades ...
Learn MorePet Safe Canna Collection Pet Safe Canna Collection$42.97 Sale $38.60Sale Price I Save 10%Per Collection of 6Our Pet Safe Collection of Cannasol™ Canna Lilies brings peace of mind for pet owners with colorful long-blooming compact plants that are safe for dogs and cats. Our trio cascades from the rich reds of Happy Carmen® to Happy Cleo®’s shades of orange. Lastly golden yellow Happy Emily® beguiles with exotic orange spotted flowers. Plant them all together for a mesmerizing color combo or place them throughout your garden for easy-care pops of color. 6 bulbs total.Learn More
Colorful Dahlias
Dahlias are also a great choice to interplant into new pre-planned gardens. These tuberous bulbs are cold hardy to USDA zones 8-10. Dahlia tubers are often grown for several years by digging them from their beds in the fall. Store them in sphagnum peat moss in a cool spot over the winter to re-plant into pots or different parts of your garden for that second growing season.
The varieties listed below are compact growers and generally under 3 ft. in height so not to crowd out your young perennials, while providing ample cut flowers for your table and nectar for hummingbirds and other pollinators.
- Dahlia 'Sunshine' - compact grower with bi-color yellow and red flowers.
- Dahlia 'Fire Pot' - semi-double flowers with each flower in shades of pink, orange and yellow.
- Dahlia 'Blue Boy' - stunning lilac-blue flowers
- Dahlia 'Tahiti Sunrise' - cactus type flowers with quill-like yellow red and purple petals
- Dahlia 'Cactus Mix' - quill-like petals and a striking mix of brilliant colors
Compact Dahlia varieties with dark foliage
- Dahlia 'Dracula' - purple red flowers over burgundy flowers
- Dahlia 'Bishop of Llandaff' - dark burgundy foliage and orange flowers
- Dahlia 'Dragon Ball' - gorgeous, very dark burgundy foliage and red-orange flowers
![Twyning's Smartie Dahlia, Dahlia Twyning's Smartie]()
Fun, versatile, and in no need of staking, ‘Twyning’s Smartie’ Dahlia is a bi-colored single Dahlia that will delight you from summer until first frost with gorgeous blooms. Cu...
Learn MoreTwyning's Smartie Dahlia Twyning's Smartie Dahlia Dahlia Twyning's Smartie$17.99 Sale $16.10Sale Price I Save 11%Per Bag of 3Fun, versatile, and in no need of staking, ‘Twyning’s Smartie’ Dahlia is a bi-colored single Dahlia that will delight you from summer until first frost with gorgeous blooms. Cupped petals surround a daisy-like yellow center, playfully alternating between magenta, bright white, and the occasional brushstrokes of both colors. Blooms break differently – no two are exactly the same! With deep green foliage and a relatively compact form, there is room for these smart flowers in any garden. Single Dahlias make it easy for pollinators to find a meal, and make for attractive cut flowers.Learn More![Café au Lait Dinnerplate Dahlia Flower Close Up]()
Café Au Lait Dinnerplate Dahlia is so breathtakingly beautiful that it’s a favorite for special occasions everywhere. Big 6-10" sumptuous flowers are creamy white blushed with sha...
Learn MoreCafe au Lait Dinnerplate Dahlia Café au Lait Dinnerplate Dahlia Dinnerplate Dahlia Cafe au Lait$18.99 Sale $17.00Sale Price I Save 10%Per Bag of 3Café Au Lait Dinnerplate Dahlia is so breathtakingly beautiful that it’s a favorite for special occasions everywhere. Big 6-10" sumptuous flowers are creamy white blushed with shades of pink, peach, and mocha. No two flowers are the same. Cut some of these beautiful blooms, and you’ll have a stunning bouquet.Learn More![Emory Paul Dinnerplate Dahlia Flower]()
Emory Paul Dinnerplate Dahlia is the largest flowering Dahlia we know of, with whopping 12-14" flowers in brilliant deep pink with light pink edges. Standing tall, they are a dramati...
Learn MoreEmory Paul Dinnerplate Dahlia Emory Paul Dinnerplate Dahlia Dinnerplate Dahlia Emory Paul$18.99 Sale $18.00Sale Price I Save 5%Per Bag of 3Emory Paul Dinnerplate Dahlia is the largest flowering Dahlia we know of, with whopping 12-14" flowers in brilliant deep pink with light pink edges. Standing tall, they are a dramatic, colorful addition to the summer garden.Learn More![Dahlia Blue Boy]()
A show-stopping lilac-blue semi-dinnerplate variety brings a unique color to the world of Dahlias. These well-formed flowers provide dramatic color in the border for many months from...
Learn MoreBlue Boy Dahlia Blue Boy Dahlia Dahlia Blue Boy$18.99 Sale $17.00Sale Price I Save 10%Per Bag of 3A show-stopping lilac-blue semi-dinnerplate variety brings a unique color to the world of Dahlias. These well-formed flowers provide dramatic color in the border for many months from midsummer.Learn More
Text by David Salman. © All articles are copyrighted by High Country Gardens. Republishing an entire High Country Gardens blog post or article is prohibited without written permission. Please feel free to share a short excerpt with a link back to the article on social media websites, such as Facebook and Pinterest.