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 $11.19Sale Price I Save 20%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.![White Polar Bear Gladiolus, close up of white petals]()
Snowy white ‘Polar Bear’ Gladiolus brings a cool contrast to the heat of summer in the garden. Perfect for monochromatic or moonlight gardens, these large flowers offer a strikin...
Learn MorePolar Bear Gladiolus Polar Bear Gladiolus Gladiolus Polar Bear$12.99 Sale $10.39Sale Price I Save 20%Per Bag of 15Snowy white ‘Polar Bear’ Gladiolus brings a cool contrast to the heat of summer in the garden. Perfect for monochromatic or moonlight gardens, these large flowers offer a striking vertical accent with sword-shaped foliage. Hummingbirds and pollinators will stand out against the ruffled bright white blooms.![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 $11.99Per 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.![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 $11.19Sale Price I Save 20%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.
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.)
![Yellow Eremurus stenophyllus, Eremurus bungei, Foxtail Lily]()
Eremurus stenophyllus (Foxtail Lily or Desert Candle) blooms in early summer with tall spikes of bright yellow flowers. Foxtail Lilies' dramatic blooms make long lasting cut flowers ...
Learn MoreYellow Foxtail Lily (Eremurus) Foxtail Lily, Desert Candle Eremurus stenophyllus$10.99 Sale $8.79Sale Price I Save 20%Per Bag of 1Eremurus stenophyllus (Foxtail Lily or Desert Candle) blooms in early summer with tall spikes of bright yellow flowers. Foxtail Lilies' dramatic blooms make long lasting cut flowers for striking bouquets. Plant them in well drained soil where they get full sun. Stunning!![Cleopatra Foxtail Lily (Eremurus)]()
Cleopatra Foxtail Lily (Eremurus) is an eye-catching wonder with tall fronds of luscious orange flowers that add drama and beautiful vertical lines in the early-to-mid summer garden....
Learn MoreCleopatra Foxtail Lily (Eremurus) Cleopatra Foxtail Lily Eremurus Cleopatra$12.99 Sale $10.39Sale Price I Save 20%Per Bag of 1Cleopatra Foxtail Lily (Eremurus) is an eye-catching wonder with tall fronds of luscious orange flowers that add drama and beautiful vertical lines in the early-to-mid summer garden. Beautiful against an evergreen background. Sometimes known as Desert Candle.![Macarena Foxtail Lily (Eremurus)]()
Macarena Foxtail Lily (Eremurus), also known as Desert Candle, bears lovely cascades of bell-shaped apricot flowers on tall, 6-8 ft. stems, shimmering like a waving tail in the summe...
Learn MoreMacarena Foxtail Lily (Eremurus) Macarena Foxtail Lily Eremurus Macarena$15.99 Sale $12.79Sale Price I Save 20%Per Bag of 1Macarena Foxtail Lily (Eremurus), also known as Desert Candle, bears lovely cascades of bell-shaped apricot flowers on tall, 6-8 ft. stems, shimmering like a waving tail in the summer breeze. A gorgeous backdrop to a perennial bed or a stand-alone focal point. Pest resistant, it’s a pollinator favorite.![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 $12.79Sale Price I Save 20%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.
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 $14.39Sale Price I Save 20%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.![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 $15.19Sale Price I Save 20%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.![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 $15.19Sale Price I Save 20%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.![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 $15.19Sale Price I Save 20%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.
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