In practice, flower bulbs are usually divided into spring bulbs, summer bulbs and tubers. That difference determines when you plant, when you can expect flowers and whether a variety returns easily. So do not choose on colour alone, but also on flowering season, overall look, position and care. In this guide, we bring together popular types from our collection in a clear overview, from tulpensoorten and daffodils to alliums, dahlias and lilies. Want to browse varieties right away? See our tulpen.
The difference between spring bulbs, summer bulbs and tubers
Spring bulbs are planted in autumn, from September to November; tulips can still be planted until mid-December. Think of crocuses, hyacinths and tulips: they provide flowers in spring. If you want to dive deeper into daffodil groups, see narcissensoorten. Summer-flowering bulbs and tubers, by contrast, are planted in spring. Dahlias, gladioli, begonias, callas, freesias and ranunculus are not hardy in the Netherlands and therefore do not belong to autumn planting. With this grouping, it is much easier to spread flowering over a longer period.
Popular flower bulbs at a glance
This overview quickly shows how much variation there is in shape, colour and season.
| Type | Practical category | Flower shape | Colour range | Approximate flowering period |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tulip | Spring bulb | Cup or star | Very broad | Spring |
| Daffodil | Spring bulb | Trumpet or open flower | Yellow, white, two-tone | Spring |
| Hyacinth | Spring bulb | Dense cluster | White, pink, blue, purple | Spring |
| Crocus | Spring bulb | Open cup | White, yellow, purple | Early spring |
| Allium | Spring bulb | Round globe on a stem | Purple, white, blue | Late spring |
| Anemone | Tuber | Single flower | White, pink, red, blue | Spring or summer, depending on the type |
| Iris | Spring or summer bloomer | Elegant flower | Blue, purple, white, yellow | Spring or summer, depending on the type |
| Lily | Summer bloomer | Large star or trumpet | White, pink, yellow, orange, red | Summer |
| Dahlia | Tuber | Single to double | Very broad | Summer to autumn |
| Fritillaria | Spring bulb | Nodding or crown-shaped | Purple, white, orange | Spring |
| Snowdrop | Spring bulb | Nodding bell | White with green | Early spring |
Which types suit borders, pots or naturalising?
For pots, many people choose flower bulbs with distinct shapes, such as alliums, tulips or hyacinths. In borders, you can create more height and contrast with alliums, lilies, dahlias or fritillarias. For grass, under shrubs or for a loose natural look, naturalising bulbs (verwilderingsbollen) such as crocuses, daffodils and snowdrops are often a good fit, including in light partial shade. If you are looking for something attractive to insects, look at crocuses or alliums. So the best flower bulbs are mainly the types that suit your spot and style.
Types that come back every year or flower for a long time
Whether bloembollen die elk jaar terugkomen do well for you also depends on position and care. Good choices if you are looking for reliable return are:
- daffodil, crocus and snowdrop for naturalising and natural planting;
- allium if you choose a spot that suits it;
- botanical and other perennial tulips if you specifically select for them.
If you are looking instead for types with a long or abundant flowering period, look mainly at:
- dahlia for a long summer flowering period with lots of flowers;
- lily for striking summer colour over several weeks.
What should you look for when it comes to quality?
Quality starts with the right choice. Pay attention to bulb size, whether you want a single variety or a mix, and how many you need for pots, borders or naturalising. A large pack is not automatically the best choice, and price, guarantee or fast delivery say little about whether a variety will really come into its own in your spot. If you want to compare alle bloembollen further, also look at our explanation of bulb sizes and quality.
