In colder growing zones this is accomplished simply by leaving the bulbs in the ground for the winter. But gardeners in the warmer climates of USDA Hardiness Zones 8 and higher often don’t have winters cold enough to grow some of these, unless they use special techniques to give the bulbs their needed reset period of cool temperatures.
Growing Spring-Flowering Bulbs in Warm Climates
Iconic spring-flowering bulbs such as daffodils and tulips can also be grown in warmer climates if they are pre-chilled and then planted in the winter or very early spring. Pre-chilling isn’t difficult and can easily be done in the refrigerator. You can even purchase bulbs that have been pre-chilled for you; bulbs sold commercially to southern gardeners are often chilled to ensure blooms in the first spring. After flowering is completed, they can be dug up, stored, and then put through another refrigerated chilling period and replanted for repeated blooming. But there are also many spring-blooming bulbs that don’t require a cold winter and are especially suited to growing in warmer climates. They are easier to grow in areas without frost, most are perennial, and, because they are native to warm climates, they often look more appropriate in the garden. Remember that warm climates can vary greatly, not just in USDA hardiness zones but also in the amount of rainfall, temperature fluctuations, and duration and intensity of heat. So there is no one size fits all growing advice. In general, most spring-blooming bulbs are planted in fall and winter. The warmer your climate, the later you should plant. But check with your Cooperative Extension Service for local recommendations. Common names vary according to species; some varieties are more often known as ornamental onion or ornamental garlic. The flowers of alliums are usually are globe-shaped umbels that sit atop long straight stems. Heights can range from one to four feet, depending on species. There’s a variety of colors and heights to blend into any garden. Two of the best are ‘Purple Sensation’, shown here, and Allium cristophii (star of Persia) which looks remarkably like a fireworks sparkler.
USDA Growing Zones: 3–9Color Varieties: Purple, blue, whiteSun Exposure: Full sunSoil Needs: Well-drained, dry to medium moisture soil
The Crinum genus contains more than 100 species, of which a relatively small handful are grown as garden plants. North of zone 7, they are usually grown as container plants that are brought indoors in the winter. Northern gardeners usually find that the potted plants bloom in summer, but in zones 7 to 10, they make excellent late spring garden bulbs.
USDA Growing Zones: 7–10Color Varieties: White, pink, red, and white/red bicolorSun Exposure: Full sun to part shadeSoil Needs: Rich, moist, well-drained soil
Unlike most bulbs, gloriosa lily prefers some afternoon shade. Once naturalized, it blooms in early summer, but for early blooming in warm climates, it is often started indoors and transplanted into the garden. One established in the garden, it often blooms in July and August.
USDA Growing Zones: 8–12Color Varieties: Bright red, sometimes edged with yellowSun Exposure: Full sun to part shadeSoil Needs: Rich, medium-moisture, well-drained soil
In warm climates, this plant will bloom in winter through early spring. The flowers are quite long-lasting, but the plant may require three years of maturing before it flowers. In colder climates, Kaffir lily is often grown as a potted plant, brought indoors for the winter.
USDA Growing Zones: 9–11Color Varieties: Yellow, orange, redSun Exposure: Part shadeSoil Needs: Medium moisture, well-drained soil
Paperwhites will often naturalize as perennials in zones 5 to 8. The bulbs easily spread to blanket ground areas in appropriate regions. In warmer climates (9 to 11), paperwhites are often grown in the garden as annuals, planted in late winter for a single season of spring blooms. Paperwhites need relatively dry soil since wet soils can cause the bulbs to rot. The plant is distasteful to deer, rabbits, and squirrels, making it a good choice where these animal pests are a problem.
USDA Growing Zones: 5–11Color Varieties: Yellow, gold, white, bicolorsSun Exposure: Full sun to part shadeSoil Needs: Medium moisture, well-drained soil
Leucojum vernum likes moist, even boggy conditions, and it readily spreads as it naturalizes. Flower stalks are about one inch tall, and the plant works well when planted in drifts in rock gardens or below shrubs and trees.
USDA Growing Zones: 4-8Color Varieties: WhiteSun Exposure: Full sun to part shadeSoil Needs: Moist, well-drained soil
Spider lily likes relatively moist soil conditions, and in the northern part of its hardiness range, it may bloom a bit later, in early to mid-summer.
USDA Growing Zones: 5–8Color Varieties: WhiteSun Exposure: Full sun to part shadeSoil Needs: Medium-moisture to wet soil
At the northern part of the range (zone 8), the corms should be covered with mulch over the winter. Soggy soils can rot the corms; this plant prefers very well-drained soil. The Watsonia genus includes more than 50 species, mostly native to South Africa. The most common garden species are W. borbonica and W. meriana.
USDA Growing Zones: 8–11Color Varieties: Pink, orange (depends on species)Sun Exposure: Full sunSoil Needs: Medium moisture, very well-drained soil
For daffodils requiring pre-chilling, the normal process is to dig them up after the foliage has yellowed and dried up. Store the bulbs in a cold location (35 to 45 degrees Fahrenheit) for 16 weeks, then immediately replant them—normally in the fall. A refrigerator works well for chilling the bulbs, but take care not to store the bulbs with uncovered fruit. (Many other spring bulbs will flower for warm-climate gardeners if they are pre-chilled, but they are generally grown as annuals, with new bulbs chilled and planted each year.) If you don’t want to go through this chilling ritual, most warm-climate experts recommend either N. jonquilla or N. tazetta. These are of Mediterranean origin and thus don’t require pre-chilling.
Daffodils have the advantage of being distasteful to rabbits, squirrels, and deer, making them a good choice where these animal pests are a problem.USDA Growing Zones: 4—8Color Varieties: White, yellow, gold, orange, pink, bi-colorsSun Exposure: Full sun to part shadeSoil Needs: Medium moisture, well-drained soil
To save and replant tulip bulbs in a warm-climate garden, dig up the bulbs after the foliage has yellowed and dried out in late spring. Store the bulbs in a dry area until mid-October, then chill them in the refrigerator for at least 12 (but no more than 16) weeks. The ideal garden planting time for tulips in warm weather zones is January or February. Don’t store tulip bulbs with uncovered fruit in a refrigerator, as the ethylene gases from the fruit can ruin the tulip bulbs.
USDA Growing Zones: 3–8Color Varieties: All colors except blueSun Exposure: Full sunSoil Needs: Medium moisture, well-drained soil
