21 Best Bulb Varieties for Sun and Shade

If you haven’t yet thought about planting spring and summer bulbs, time is running short. There is no time like the present to decide what type of flowers you want to add to your spring garden! 

With so many bulbs to choose from, it can be overwhelming to decide which you want to add and where they will live their best life. If you’ve struggled finding bulbs for your garden’s sunny and shady spots, we’re here to help!

We’ve compiled a list of some of our favorite bulbs and sorted them by the type of sunlight exposure they perform best in. All that is left for you to do is choose the right ones for your chosen spot and get planting!

Sun

Full sun is the best growing situation for many flowering plants. It is common for plants to bloom best when they receive six or more hours of sun per day. These bulbous and rhizomatic plants are among that group and prefer to be planted in spaces with plenty of sun exposure.

Asiatic Lilies

	botanical name Lilium spp.
	sun requirements Full sun
	height 18”-24”
	hardiness zones 3-8

Loved by gardeners, these summer-blooming plants are popular because of their wide range of colors and ease of care. Their large (four to six-inch) flowers come in shades of red, orange, pink, white, burgundy, and yellow, as well as many combinations of these colors. 

Asiatic lilies make an excellent addition to the cut flower garden. Their large, striking blooms have an excellent vase life. They have nice, straight stems as well, and their flowers are always upward-facing. They will grow in partial shade, but for maximum flowering, plant these bulbs in full sun. 

Plant these bulbs three times deeper than the bulb itself in soil with excellent drainage. They are not picky about soil composition as long as they don’t stand in water, and they aren’t fussy about soil pH either. Many of these stunning flowers are fragrant, too!

Blazing Star

	botanical name Liatris spp.
	sun requirements Full sun
	height 1’-5’
	hardiness zones 3-8

Blazing stars are members of the Asteraceae Family, and while their flowers resemble asters, they have some unique characteristics that make them garden stars. For one thing, some varieties are quite tall and make excellent mid-ground flowers.

Their large, towering inflorescences are commonly purple but can also come in shades of pink and white. These are a favorite for the pollinator garden as they supply many resources in a small space. Expect to see these flowers frequented by butterflies, bees, and hummingbirds. 

Blazing stars are easy to care for, but be prepared to stake them if planting in rich soil. They can grow a bit floppy when they get very tall. They are not picky about soil but need good drainage and ample water when young. 

Canna Lily

	botanical name Canna spp.
	sun requirements Full sun
	height 3’-8’
	hardiness zones 7-10

Cannas are a true statement maker with tropical leaves and large, bold blooms. Unlike cooler weather bulbs, cannas can be left in the ground only in warm climates as they are frost-tender. In cooler climates, however, they can be stored indoors for the winter and replanted in spring. 

Plant cannas in full sun for the biggest, brightest blooms and the strongest stems. These plants are happiest during summer, as they thrive in the heat. Some varieties grow to about three feet tall, while other giant cultivars can reach eight feet in a single season. 

Canna lilies have stunning foliage that truly can stand alone. Frequently variegated in shades of red, green, yellow, and orange, these banana-type leaves will turn the garden into a tropical paradise. 

Calla Lily

	botanical name Zantedschia spp.
	sun requirements Full sun
	height 1’-3’
	hardiness zones 8-10

Another flower ideal for a cutting garden! Calla lilies are a favorite among florists and gardeners. Callas are warm climate plants and are so much like canna lilies that they must be stored indoors for the winter in colder climates. In warm climates, they are perennials.

Calla lilies need to be in full sun in cool climates. In warmer climates, some shade during the afternoon will keep these plants looking and performing their best. Their unique, vase-shaped flowers come in shades of white, pink, yellow, orange, red, lavender, and deep purple. 

The flowers are great for cutting and adding to your indoor arrangements. They have a unique appearance and a long vase life. They tend to be a wedding favorite and can be quite pricey to purchase by the stem. 

Dahlia

	botanical name Dahlia spp.
	sun requirements Full sun
	height up to 6’
	hardiness zones 8-10

Dahlias are a wonderful addition to the garden, and growing them is addictive. These are some of my absolute favorites for the cutting garden. Pouring over the incredible variety of colors, shapes, and sizes always leaves me wanting more of these wonderful flowers. 

Dahlias like a lot of sun and a lot of water. They are not low maintenance, but they certainly are worth the work. While they’re actually tubers, not bulbs, they are treated much the same way. Plant these tubers in a spot that gets direct sun for most of the day and is close to a water source because they will need water any time more than a day or two passes without rain. 

Dahlias are perennial in zones eight through 10 but are often grown elsewhere as annuals. The tubers can also be dug up in fall and stored for the winter. In this way, they can be treated as perennial, even though they are technically not when planted north of Zone Eight. 

Foxtail Lily

	botanical name Eremurus robustus
	sun requirements Full sun
	height 4’-8’
	hardiness zones 5-8

This spectacular flowering tuberous plant is among the most spectacular and noteworthy on our list. Growing as tall as eight feet, it is an imposing plant with large, fanciful inflorescences in warm shades like yellow, orange, pink, copper, and white. These tall flower spikes tower colorfully over smaller flowering plants, and a grouping of them is an imposing sight.

Foxtail lilies need a lot of sun, at least six hours daily, and rich, well-drained soil. Plant these bulbs in the fall, and give them a healthy layer of mulch to protect them over the winter. They are cold hardy to zone 5, but a layer of protection will keep them happiest.

These bulbs don’t like to be disturbed. They bloom reliably in late spring and often into mid-summer. Keep them watered in hot weather, but don’t let the soil get soggy, or your bulbs could rot. 

Gladiolus

	botanical name Gladiolus spp.
	sun requirements Full sun
	height 2’-5’
	hardiness zones 8-11

Gladiolus are related to irises, and similarly to these relatives, they prefer a spot with plenty of sunshine. They make a wonderful spectacle planted in large groups, as their tall stems produce large blooms from bottom to top. 

These, too, make great cut flowers. They are very dramatic and can last up to two weeks after they are cut. The flowers will continue to bloom after cutting. Their flowers range in size from medium (three inches) to quite large (5 inches) and come in nearly every color of the rainbow, even green.

Gladiolus are perennial only in zones 8 through 11; in zone 8, they often don’t survive the winter. However, they are very fast growing, so they can be planted in zones 3 through 7 as annuals.

Grape Hyacinth

	botanical name Muscari spp.
	sun requirements Full sun to partial shade
	height 4”-8”
	hardiness zones 3-9

These tiny flowering plants make a wonderful addition to the spring garden. They can be grown in full sun or partial shade, but their ideal situation is full sun and well-drained soil. Grape hyacinths tend to naturalize easily, so if you want to control the spread, they do quite well in containers.

In zones 3 through 9, grape hyacinths are short-lived perennials. They will return yearly for about four years. They are low maintenance, and while they only bloom for three to four weeks in spring, they re-seed readily, and you could end up with many of these cute little plants in years to follow. 

Hyacinth

	botanical name Hyacinthus spp.
	sun requirements Full sun to partial shade
	height 6”-12”
	hardiness zones 4-8

What is that amazing smell carried by the springtime breeze? Why, it’s hyacinth, of course! These wonderful plants are best known for their incredibly fragrant flowers that grow in large clusters atop fleshy stems. These sweet-smelling flowers come in shades of pink, white, cream, purple, apricot, blue, and red. 

While hyacinths will grow and flower in partial shade, they will stand taller in full sun. Those flower clusters are heavy, and planting in full sun will keep them standing at attention. They are hardy in zones 4 through 8 but can be grown in warmer climates if you dig up the bulbs and cold stratify over the winter. 

Loose, well-drained soil is best for hyacinths. They work well as container flowers, and they are great for the cut flower garden as well. Their flowers smell so good you will definitely want to bring them indoors to enjoy around the clock. 

Tulip

	botanical name Tulipa spp.
	sun requirements Full sun
	height 12”-16”
	hardiness zones 3-7

Tulips are a springtime staple. They are such bright and cheerful plants with shapely, blue-green leaves and boldly colored flowers. In shades of white, red, pink, purple, orange, yellow, and even green, there is a tulip to go with every garden color combination. 

Tulips grow straighter and bloom better in full sun. In shade, their stems may be thin and prone to falling over. Tulips make wonderful cut flowers, and they can even be grown quite successfully in containers to bring some of their bold colors into your outdoor living spaces.  

Plant your tulip bulbs in the fall if you live in zones 3 through 7. To grow tulips south of zone 7, they will need artificial cold stratification. Give them a couple of months in the refrigerator to mimic the winter in their native zones, and plant them as soon as the ground thaws in spring.

Shade

Some bulbous plants need a lot of sun, but quite a few prefer partial shade. They bloom best with some protection from the hot afternoon sun. For most of these bulbs, some direct sun early in the day is fine. Most, if not all, will need protection from the afternoon sun, especially in warmer climates. 

Camassia

	botanical name Camassia spp.
	sun requirements Partial shade
	height 24”-30”
	hardiness zones 4-8

Another woodland plant, camassia, is a spring-blooming perennial that prefers partial shade and produces large panicles of flowers in shades of blue, purple, pink, and white. Also known as wild hyacinth, the flowers resemble those of the hyacinth, but they are not closely related. 

Camassia are late-spring bloomers who like to be kept moist but with good drainage. They are a great addition to the cut flower garden and will produce offsets, returning for years if they get the right care. They are fine in full sun or partial shade, although as the summer heats up, they will fade faster in full sun. 

Checkered Lily

	botanical name Fritillaria meleagris
	sun requirements Partial shade
	height 1’-2’
	hardiness zones 4-8

This plant is less common than many on the list, but it is a very pretty little plant that grows and blooms quite well in areas that are lightly shaded. The name checkered lily comes from the appearance of the flower, which is checkered, usually reddish-brown, but can also be purple or white. 

Checkered Lily is a recipient of the Royal Horticultural Society’s Award of Garden Merit. It is a mid to late-spring bloomer that will return reliably if given the proper care. Take care to only transplant these bulbs when they are dormant, as they do not transplant well, and the foliage may die back from stress if moved when in an active growth phase. 

Common Bluebell

	botanical name Hyacinthiodes non-scripta
	sun requirements Partial shade
	height 12”-18”
	hardiness zones 3-8

Bluebells like to have a fair amount of sun in the early spring while the weather is cool, but when it begins to warm up, they need more shade. These cool-weather plants don’t tolerate the sun once the temperature rises. 

As understory woodland plants, the common bluebell’s preferred location is beneath a tree canopy, where they get some filtered sun but not much direct sun. A grouping of these pretty blue flowers resembles a magical fairyland.

Not only are the blue and violet bell-shaped flowers delicately beautiful, but they also have a sweet fragrance. These plants naturalize easily and make a beautiful drift when planted en masse. 

Crocus

	botanical name Crocus spp.
	sun requirements Partial shade
	height 2”-5”
	hardiness zones 3-8

Crocuses are no strangers to snow. In fact, it is not uncommon to see their narrow leaves pop out of the snow to unfurl their lovely flowers in the early spring chill. Many people think of purple when they hear the name, but crocuses can also be blue, yellow, white, and orange. 

The ample and bright yellow pollen these flowers bear is a welcome sight for bees after a long winter absence. Expect crocuses to attract pollinators that aren’t still hiding from the cold. Small and colorful, crocuses fit well into small spaces and naturalize well, so within a few years of planting, you will have quite a beautiful colony. 

Glory of the Snow

	botanical name Chinodoxa forbesii
	sun requirements Partial shade
	height 4”-6”
	hardiness zones 3-8

As their name implies, these are some of the earliest bloomers in the garden, often appearing before the snow melts. Their pretty flowers are white in the center, and the petals are tipped with blue, and although they are small, they make nice cut flowers. Glory of the snow is closely related to the Scilla genus and strongly resembles these plants. 

Plant the glory of the snow bulbs in the fall before the ground freezes. They can be interspersed with grass in the lawn, as they will pop up before the grass enters a growth cycle and create a very pretty transition from winter to spring. 

Lenten Rose

	botanical name Helleborus orientalis
	sun requirements Partial shade
	height 12”-18”
	hardiness zones 4-9

Lenten rose is an easy plant to grow and care for. It is a winter bloomer, bringing color to those grey winter days. It has very good shade tolerance and prefers moisture until it is established, but is relatively drought-tolerant once established. 

The flowers are a main selling point for this perennial and can come in a wide array of colors, including pink, red, green, white, yellow, and purple, so deep that they appear nearly black. The lenten rose gets its name from its blooming habit. Beginning in late winter, this plant blooms through the spring, during the time commonly associated with Lent. 

The beautiful flowers last nearly three seasons, although they are most vibrant for the first five to six months after blooming. They then gradually fade over the summer months. In winter, a little extra sun is advantageous for lenten roses, but in summer, they should have protection from the sun. 

Lily of the Valley

	botanical name Convallaria majalis
	sun requirements Partial to full shade
	height 6”-12”
	hardiness zones 3-9

Lily of the valley is a sweet plant associated with tremendous positivity. As a symbol of joy, love, purity, and luck, it isn’t easy to pass over this fortuitous flower. Queen Elizabeth II of England favored these flowers and carried them during her wedding and coronation. 

Princesses Diana and Kate, as well as Meghan Markle, would later pay homage to the matriarch by including them in their bridal bouquets. They are very popular as an early spring bloomer with a strong and pleasing perfume. 

Lily of the valley is a small plant that makes a stunning spring ground cover in areas with only partial sun exposure. They can even grow in full shade, although they will flower better with partial sun. 

Red Spider Lily

	botanical name Lycoris radiata
	sun requirements Partial shade
	height 1’-2’
	hardiness zones 6-10

This summer bloomer is perfect for those partially shaded garden areas where you want a dramatic pop of color. Spider lilies will not be unhappy in full sun, but they will bloom best with some cooling shade. Once established, spider lilies will spread gradually and do not like to be transplanted, so choose the right place to plant them.

This plant’s brilliant red flowers are a standout in the garden. They add an interesting and unique texture and brighten up any garden space. While the plant is hardy in Zones Six through 10, a thick layer of mulch in winter is best if grown in Zones Six or Seven. 

Siberian Squill

	botanical name Scilla siberica
	sun requirements Partial shade
	height 3”-6”
	hardiness zones 2-8

Siberian squill is a pretty little plant related to asparagus and produces bright, true blue flowers, which is a rarity. It is a tiny little plant, only three to six inches tall, that pops up as soon as the snow melts and is gone by mid-spring. 

Despite its ephemeral habit, Siberian squill can spread easily and has been known to be invasive in some areas, so it’s best to contain it if possible. If, however, you want a carpet of pretty blue flowers when the snow finally melts, these fit the bill. They are an understory plant and prefer partial shade. 

Snowdrops

	botanical name Galanthus
	sun requirements Partial to full shade
	height 8”-10”
	hardiness zones 3-7

The birth flower of January, snowdrops are among the first, if not the earliest, spring bloomers. It’s not unusual to see these delicate flowers pop out of the snow. It seems impossible that such a delicate flower could bloom in such frigid conditions, but the snowdrop is surprising in its cold tolerance. 

Most snowdrop bulbs are sold green and need to be cared for as such. Planting them right away is best. Ordering your snowdrop bulbs to arrive in the early fall will give them the best start. Snowdrops are dormant in the summer, but they still prefer to be in the shade during this dormancy. Plant your snowdrops beneath a tree, and they will thrive. 

Virginia Spring Beauty

	botanical name Claytonia virginica
	sun requirements Partial to full shade
	height 6”-10”
	hardiness zones 3-9

Virginia spring beauty is native to the central and eastern United States and can survive in almost complete shade. In nature, it is usually found in open woodlands and shady patches. Dappled light is the perfect condition for this beauty. An early bloomer, this little plant shows up as soon as the weather begins to warm.

Small, pale pink flowers with deeper pink accents hover above grasslike foliage. Virginia spring beauty has edible bulbs that have a flavor similar to chestnuts. Plant these bulbs in soil that is fertile, acidic, moist, and well-drained. That’s a tall order, but the flowers chase away the snow and are well worth the effort.