Creating an All-Season Garden with Bulbs: A Comprehensive Guide

Imagine stepping into your garden every day of the year and being greeted by a parade of colorful blooms. An all-season blooming garden isn’t just a dream—it’s totally doable! Whether you're a gardening newbie or a seasoned soil whisperer, planting bulbs is one of the best ways to ensure your garden stays vibrant year-round.

Let’s talk about why this matters. First, continuous color transforms your yard into a work of art—a dynamic masterpiece that changes with the seasons. Those bright tulips in spring? Stunning. The camassias of summer? Showstoppers. And don’t even get me started on fall’s colchicums. Beyond the aesthetic appeal, it’s about creating a space that feels alive and welcoming no matter the time of year.

Plus, bulbs are generally low maintenance. They’re a fantastic way to introduce color and variety into your garden without spending hours tending to plants. It’s all the beauty with only a fraction of the effort—what’s not to love?

In this guide, we’ll cover how to map out a planting schedule that keeps your garden blooming. Ready to dig in? (Pun intended!)

Understanding Flowering Bulbs When it comes to bulbs, variety is the spice of life. These underground powerhouses come in different types, each with its own charm. Here’s the lowdown:

• Spring-Blooming Bulbs: These are your classics like tulips (Tulipa varieties), daffodils (Narcissus), and crocuses (Crocus). They’re planted in the fall and pop up in spring to announce the end of winter.
• Summer-Blooming Bulbs: Think camassias (Camassia) and iris (Iris). Plant these beauties in fall, and they’ll reward you with summer-long displays of vibrant color.
• Fall-Blooming Bulbs: These are the unsung heroes of the bulb world, like autumn crocuses (Colchicums) and late-blooming scillas (Scilla). They bring color to your garden as the weather cools.

Now, let’s get a bit technical (but not too much—promise). Bulbs aren’t all the same. You’ve got true bulbs (like tulips and onions), which are made of layers of modified leaves that store nutrients. Then there are corms (hello, crocuses), which are solid stems that store energy. Rhizomes (ginger’s flashy cousin) are modified plant stems that grow horizontally underground, sprouting shoots and roots. Lastly, tubers (potatoes, but make them decorative) are thickened, fleshy storage organs that store nutrients for the plant. Each has its own quirks, but all share the same goal: delivering gorgeous blooms while requiring minimal fuss.

When it comes to planting bulbs, there are a few golden rules: Plant bulbs at a depth of about two to three times their height—so a 2-inch bulb should go 4-6 inches deep. Space them roughly two to three bulb-widths apart to give them room to grow and thrive without overcrowding.

Armed with this knowledge, you’re well on your way to planning a garden that keeps on giving, season after season.

Planning Your All-Season Bulb Garden Creating an all-season bulb garden starts with a bit of planning, but don’t worry—it’s all part of the fun! Here’s how to set yourself up for year-round success:

Identifying Your Gardening Zone and Choosing Bulbs Your gardening zone is your starting point for selecting bulbs and planning your planting schedule. We are located on the Main Line in Philadelphia, PA, so we are in USDA Hardiness Zone 7. Make sure to check your zone before purchasing plants!

In Zone 7, you can enjoy a wide range of bulbs throughout the year. Here are some top picks from our nursery to help you plan:

Very Early Spring Blooms (March-Early April)

Want to be the first in your neighborhood to see flowers? Plant these very early spring bulbs in the fall and prepare for a delightful burst of color:

Spring Blooms (Late April-May)

Spring is the main event for many gardens, and these bulbs steal the show:

Summer Blooms (June-July)

Keep the energy high with these summer bloomers:

Fall Blooms (Sept-Oct)

As summer fades, these fall-blooming bulbs will keep your garden vibrant:

A year-round bloom schedule not only keeps your garden visually appealing but also ensures a consistent food source for pollinators like bees and butterflies.

Common Mistakes to Avoid When Growing Bulbs Even the most seasoned gardeners can make missteps with bulbs. Avoid these common pitfalls:

• Planting Too Late or Too Early: Timing is crucial. Generally, fall-blooming bulbs must be planted early in the summer, while spring bloomers should go in the ground in autumn before the first frost. Be sure to double-check what you're planting, as there are many early/late blooming varieties. 
• Ignoring Storage Conditions: Bulbs waiting to be planted should be stored in a cool, dry place to prevent rot or premature sprouting. A basement or garage would be sufficient. 
• Forgetting to Label: Keep track of where you’ve planted bulbs to avoid digging them up accidentally during future plantings.

Creating an all-season blooming garden with bulbs is a rewarding project that brings joy year-round. With a little planning and the right selection of bulbs, you can fill your garden with continuous color and texture. Remember to plant in layers, stagger your bloom times, and choose cultivars that thrive in your local climate.

Looking for a place to get started? Mark your calendars! Our new nursery, Whitehall Farm Gardens is opening in March 2025, right here in Norristown, not 20 minutes from the Main Line in Philadelphia. We’ll have all the bulbs featured in this post, along with a wide selection of perennials, shrubs, grasses, and gardening supplies to help you create the garden of your dreams. Come visit us and let’s make your garden the envy of the neighborhood!