11 Bulbs and Tubers to Order Now So You Do Not Miss Planting Time

Pre-ordering summer-blooming bulbs and tubers in early spring is key to ensuring you get the varieties you want before they sell out. Ordering in February and March guarantees timely shipping, allowing you to plant right after the last frost for optimal growth. Whether you’re looking for vibrant dahlias, elegant calla lilies, or colorful begonias, now is the time to secure your selection and get ready for a blooming garden later in the season. Don’t wait, act early and ensure your garden is full of vibrant, thriving plants.

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Dahlias

Dahlias are beloved for their stunning, showy blooms that range in size, shape, and color, making them a must-have for any garden enthusiast. These flowers typically bloom in late summer and fall, offering long-lasting color when many other plants are winding down. Ordering your dahlias now, in February or March, ensures you secure your preferred varieties before they sell out. Popular varieties, especially those with unique color patterns or rare cultivars, often have limited availability and can be hard to find as spring approaches. Pre-ordering guarantees that you’ll receive your selection in time for optimal planting conditions, which occur after the last spring frost.

Since dahlias are highly sensitive to frost, getting them early allows you to prepare your garden space and plant them at the ideal time. With a planting depth of about 4–6 inches, it’s important to have the ground warm enough to support root growth. By securing your dahlias early, you have the opportunity to start them indoors if necessary and ensure that your garden is ready for these impressive flowers to thrive when the weather warms up.

Begonias

Begonias are another popular choice for gardeners seeking vibrant foliage and striking flowers. These plants come in a variety of shapes and sizes, from tuberous begonias with large, colorful blooms to fibrous types that have smaller flowers but beautiful leaves. The key to a successful begonia garden is pre-ordering now to ensure you get the specific varieties you want before they are sold out. Tubers are in high demand during early spring, and pre-ordering in February or March secures your begonias for shipment at the perfect time, just after the last frost.

Begonias thrive in well-drained soil and should be planted when the soil has warmed sufficiently, making early pre-ordering essential. By purchasing your begonias early, you can start preparing your planting area and gather the necessary supplies to create an environment where these delicate plants can thrive. Getting them in time for early planting also gives you an advantage in creating a vibrant display of color and texture in your garden or containers.

Caladiums

Caladiums are renowned for their colorful, heart-shaped leaves that brighten shady areas in gardens, patios, and even indoors. These tubers are highly sought after for their vibrant red, pink, white, and green foliage, which adds a striking contrast to other plants. Ordering your caladiums early guarantees access to the most popular and unusual varieties before they sell out, particularly the rare color mixes or specialty types. Pre-ordering ensures that your caladiums will be shipped in time for planting after the last frost, when the soil temperature reaches around 70°F (21°C)—ideal for root development.

Since caladiums are sensitive to cold and frost, ordering in February or March allows you to secure the tubers and prepare for a late spring planting. Their tropical origins make them particularly vulnerable to chilly conditions, so ordering ahead lets you take the necessary steps to create the right growing environment. Starting them at the correct time ensures that your plants will have ample time to grow and produce their beautiful foliage throughout the summer.

Calla Lilies

Calla lilies are elegant, trumpet-shaped flowers that add a touch of sophistication to gardens and floral arrangements. Known for their sleek, sculptural blooms, they come in a range of colors, from classic white to vibrant yellows, oranges, and pinks. Pre-ordering your calla lily tubers now is essential if you want to secure specific varieties, especially the rarer colors or newer cultivars. These tubers can sell out quickly, and by ordering in advance, you guarantee that you’ll receive them for shipment after the last frost, ensuring you plant them at the ideal time.

Calla lilies prefer well-drained, fertile soil and a sunny location, and their tubers should be planted once the soil has warmed up sufficiently. Ordering them now allows you to prepare your garden, pots, or containers so that you’re ready for planting as soon as the weather is right. By pre-ordering, you can ensure that you’ll have the best selection available when the time comes to plant them, and you can also give these stunning flowers the best start to bloom in the summer months.

Gladiolus

Gladiolus flowers are known for their tall, dramatic spikes of blooms, which come in a variety of bright, bold colors. They are popular for adding vertical interest to flower beds or as cut flowers for arrangements. Because gladiolus bulbs are planted in spring for a summer bloom, it is important to order them early, in February or March, to secure the varieties you want. This ensures that you get the healthiest, freshest bulbs before the most popular varieties sell out.

Gladiolus bulbs need to be planted once the danger of frost has passed and the soil has warmed up, which is why pre-ordering guarantees that your bulbs arrive at the perfect planting time. Since these flowers thrive in full sun, pre-ordering allows you to prepare the site, ensuring that they will grow tall and strong, providing vibrant color throughout the summer. By securing your bulbs early, you ensure that you will have a wide variety of colors to choose from and that your garden will be ready to bloom on time.

Lilies

Lilies are timeless flowers that add fragrance, color, and elegance to any garden. Whether you prefer the classic Oriental lilies, the bold Asiatic varieties, or the trumpet-shaped Trumpet lilies, pre-ordering your bulbs ensures you will get the specific cultivars you desire before they sell out. Ordering lilies in advance allows you to get them shipped at the right time for planting after the last frost, giving them plenty of time to establish roots and bloom in the summer.

Lilies thrive in well-drained, slightly acidic soil and require a sunny location. Pre-ordering your bulbs early also gives you the chance to prepare your garden and ensure you plant them at the correct depth for optimal growth. This extra planning time ensures that your lilies will have the best chance to bloom into full, fragrant flowers that will be the highlight of your summer garden.

Canna Lilies

Canna lilies are tropical plants that produce large, showy blooms in vibrant colors such as red, orange, and yellow. Their foliage can also be striking, with some varieties featuring dark purple or bronze leaves. Pre-ordering canna lily tubers now is essential to ensure that you get the exact variety you want, as demand for these eye-catching flowers often increases during the spring planting season. Ordering early guarantees that your tubers will arrive in time to be planted after the last frost, ensuring healthy growth.

Canna lilies are best planted in well-drained, fertile soil and prefer a sunny location. Ordering your tubers now ensures you will have the optimal shipping time, allowing you to prepare your garden for their arrival. By planting them after the last frost, you can enjoy these bold flowers in full bloom all summer long, adding an exotic flair to your landscape.

Freesias

Freesias are known for their sweet fragrance and vibrant, funnel-shaped blooms that come in a range of colors, including yellow, pink, white, and purple. These flowers are perfect for both flower beds and containers, and they are a popular choice for cut flowers due to their delightful scent. Pre-ordering freesias ensures you get your hands on the specific varieties you want before they sell out, as their availability can vary depending on demand.

Freesias require a sunny spot with well-drained soil and should be planted once the soil has warmed up. By ordering your freesia bulbs early, you can guarantee that you’ll get them at the optimal planting time and can prepare your garden for their arrival. Pre-ordering also ensures you won’t miss out on your favorite varieties, as freesias are a popular flower for gardeners looking to add fragrance and beauty to their spaces.

Ranunculus

Ranunculus flowers are known for their delicate, rose-like blooms that come in a range of colors, including soft pastels and vibrant hues. These flowers are ideal for both flower beds and containers and are perfect for adding texture and color to your garden. Ordering ranunculus tubers now ensures that you secure the varieties you want before they sell out, as they are in high demand during the spring planting season.

Ranunculus prefer a cool, well-drained environment and should be planted in the early spring once the soil has warmed up sufficiently. Pre-ordering your tubers gives you a head start, ensuring that you can plant them at the ideal time for the best blooms. By getting your ranunculus tubers early, you guarantee that they will thrive and provide stunning flowers throughout the spring and early summer months.

Oxalis

Oxalis, also known as shamrock plants, are perfect for adding a touch of charm and color to your garden with their clover-like foliage and bright, bell-shaped flowers. Available in a variety of colors, including pink, purple, and yellow, oxalis is a great choice for containers or as a ground cover. Pre-ordering oxalis tubers now ensures that you get the varieties you want before they sell out, especially since they are often in demand due to their vibrant appearance.

These plants prefer well-drained soil and need to be planted in a spot with plenty of sunlight. By ordering early, you can ensure your oxalis bulbs will arrive in time for planting after the last frost, giving them the best start for vibrant blooms later in the season.

Anemones

Anemones are charming, daisy-like flowers that bloom in a range of vibrant colors, from white and pink to red and purple. These flowers are ideal for adding a pop of color to your garden or as cut flowers for arrangements. Pre-ordering anemone tubers ensures you secure the best varieties before they sell out, particularly the unique color mixes and rare cultivars.

Anemones thrive in well-drained soil with a slightly acidic pH and require a sunny or partially shaded spot. By ordering your tubers early, you can prepare the planting area and ensure that your anemones will have the best chance to grow and bloom. Pre-ordering allows you to plant your anemones at the optimal time after the last frost, ensuring healthy blooms throughout the spring and summer.

This article originally appeared on Avocadu.