Best Flower Bulbs For Your Rock Garden

Spring Bulbs, Fall Bulbs

Naturalizing bulbs, Bulbs that come back, Perennial Bulbs, Bulbs for Rock Gardens, Perennial Crocus, Perennial Narcissus, Perennial Tulips, Perennial Galanthus, Perennial Anemones, Snowdrops, Bulbs in Rock Gardens

Rock gardens offer the perfect home for an extensive array of plants including evergreens, deciduous shrubs, perennials, annuals, and flowering bulbs.

A surprisingly large number of perennial bulbs do well in rock gardens, such as snowdrops (Galanthus), crocuses (Crocus), wild tulips (Tulipa), miniature daffodils (Narcissus) and plenty others charming bulbs. They all look stunning tucked against rocks and boulders and despite being small, they can make a great impact. Left undisturbed in the ground, they will emerge year after year, and some will also gently multiply as long as they receive the right light conditions and are planted in soil with the proper drainage.

The following list of perennial bulbs thrive in rock garden conditions and you will be delighted to see them every spring or fall.

Guide Information

Plant Type	Bulbs, Perennials
Genus	Tulipa, Narcissus, Galanthus, Crocus
Exposure	Full Sun, Partial Sun
Season of Interest	Spring (Early, Mid, Late), Fall
Height
Maintenance	Low
Water Needs	Average
Soil Drainage	Moist but Well-Drained, Well-Drained
Tolerance	Deer, Rabbit
Garden Styles	Gravel and Rock Garden

1 - Pretty Bulbs For Your Rock Garden

Allium oreophilum (Pink Lily Leek)

Allium oreophilum (Pink Lily Leek) is a compact, hardy bulb with delicate, loose umbels of rosy reddish-pink, star-shaped flowers adorned with darker midveins. The blossoms are mounted on wiry gray-mauve stems and rise above narrow, semi-erect, gray-green leaves. Blooming in late spring to early summer, this compact, hardy bulb is excellent for well-drained rock gardens. Growing up to 8-12 in. high (20-30 cm), this beauty naturalizes easily and will slowly spread to form lovely colonies!

Hardiness	4 - 9
Exposure	Full Sun
Seasons	Spring (Late), Summer (Early)
Height	8" - 1' (20cm - 30cm)

Colchicum cilicicum (Autumn Crocus)

Native to southeastern Turkey and Syria, Colchicum cilicicum is a fall-blooming perennial that showcases up to 25 small, funnel-shaped flowers in a charming rose-purple hue. These blooms emerge on short stems, preceding the lance-shaped dark green leaves that appear in spring. With a compact size of 4-6 inches tall and wide, this Colchicum readily naturalizes and returns reliably each year, creating a unique display in the fall garden.

Hardiness	4 - 9
Exposure	Full Sun, Partial Sun
Seasons	Fall
Height	4" - 6" (10cm - 15cm)

Crocus chrysanthus ‘Cream Beauty’ (Snow Crocus)

Wonderfully fragrant, Crocus Chrysanthus ‘Cream Beauty’ is considered one of the best spring flowering crocuses. Winner of the prestigious Award of Garden Merit, it displays plump, creamy-yellow flowers on the outside with purple margins and a bronzy green base. Bright orange stamens add a fiery spark! This crocus is not only attractive, but also floriferous, vigorous and reliable.

Hardiness	3 - 8
Exposure	Full Sun, Partial Sun
Seasons	Spring (Early), Winter
Height	3" - 4" (8cm - 10cm)

Crocus speciosus ‘Conqueror’ (Autumn Crocus)

Crocus speciosus ‘Conqueror is a lovely fall-blooming Crocus with large, goblet shaped, rich violet blue blooms adorned with bright orange anthers. Usually the earliest fall crocus to bloom, ‘Conqueror’ also boasts the largest blooms within the Crocus speciosus varieties. The grassy, green foliage emerges after flowering and may remain until spring, depending on your location.

Hardiness	4 - 8
Exposure	Full Sun
Seasons	Fall
Height	3" - 5" (8cm - 13cm)

Cyclamen cilicium (Cilician Cyclamen)

Award-winning Cyclamen cicilium (Cicilian Cyclamen) is a lovely fall-flowering bulb with delicate flowers, in shades of white or rosy pink, 1 in. wide (2-3 cm), with reflexed, twisted petals marked with a magenta blotch at their mouth. Appearing at the same time as the foliage, their cheerful blooms, slightly honey-scented, generally last for several weeks. They rise elegantly above the decorative foliage which consists of broad, heart-shaped, mid-green leaves adorned with pretty silver patterns, that usually remain attractive throughout the winter. Growing up to 3-6 inches tall and wide (7-15 cm), this species is quite hardy and will survive very low temperatures. It will self-seed and naturalize, creating a small colony over time.

Hardiness	5 - 9
Exposure	Partial Sun
Seasons	Fall
Height	3" - 6" (8cm - 15cm)

Cyclamen hederifolium (Ivy-Leaved Cyclamen)

In the late-season garden, the enchanting Cyclamen hederifolium emerges with a burst of color. This award-winning perennial delights with nodding flowers in shades of magenta to white, rising above variegated foliage. With its elegant petals and decorative leaves, it creates an almost evergreen ground cover that brings beauty to the garden from late summer to spring.

Hardiness	5 - 9
Exposure	Partial Sun
Seasons	Summer (Late), Fall
Height	4" - 6" (10cm - 15cm)

Eranthis hyemalis (Winter Aconite)

In late winter, before crocuses emerge, Eranthis hyemalis (Winter Aconite) brings delightful bursts of color to the garden. Its bright yellow, cup-shaped flowers, surrounded by leafy bracts, create a charming display. The rich green foliage, divided into lobes, emerges after the flowers, and the plant goes dormant by late spring.

Hardiness	4 - 9
Exposure	Full Sun, Partial Sun
Seasons	Spring (Early), Winter
Height	4" (10cm)

Fritillaria meleagris var. unicolor subvar. alba (Checkered Lily)

Fritillaria meleagris ‘Alba’ (Checkered Lily) is a bulbous perennial with charming pendant, pure white, bell-shaped flowers on slender stems in mid to late spring. Its pure white petals are adorned with a faint check pattern like a watermark. The delicate flowers are complimented by lance-shaped, grass-like bluish-green leaves. Not bright or showy, this unusual spring flower invites a further look!

Hardiness	4 - 8
Exposure	Full Sun, Partial Sun
Seasons	Spring (Mid, Late)
Height	8" - 1' (20cm - 30cm)

Fritillaria michailovskyi (Michael’s Flower)

Native to Northeastern Turkey, Fritillaria michailovskyi (Michael’s Flower) is a bulbous perennial that grows up to 8-10 in. tall (20-25 cm) in a beautiful display of nodding, broadly bell-shaped, deep purplish-brown flowers adorned with bright yellow tips. Borne atop slender stems in mid to late spring, the delicate flowers, 1 to 4 per bulb, are complimented by lance-shaped, narrow, gray-green leaves. Spectacular in groupings in borders, containers, rock gardens or naturalized areas. Hardiness Zones: 5-8.

Hardiness	5 - 8
Exposure	Full Sun
Seasons	Spring (Mid, Late)
Height	8" - 10" (20cm - 25cm)

Galanthus ‘Atkinsii’ (Snowdrop)

Very early and vigorous, award-winning Galanthus ‘Atkinsii’ is a distinctive and great garden Snowdrop. It produces nodding white flowers with long and slender outer petals which nicely enclose inner petals bearing a prominent green heart-shaped mark at their tips. Slightly honey-scented, the dainty blooms rise atop the foliage of erect, glaucous leaves in late winter – early spring. Introduced in the 1870s, this small bulbous perennial is one of the earliest and loveliest spring flowering bulbs, adding several weeks of color and beauty to the garden.

Hardiness	3 - 8
Exposure	Full Sun, Partial Sun
Seasons	Spring (Early), Winter
Height	8" - 10" (20cm - 25cm)

Narcissus ‘Minnow’ (Tazetta Daffodil)

Robust and delightfully fragrant, award-winner Narcissus ‘Minnow’ is a charming Miniature Daffodil with clusters of 2-5 flowers per stem, adorned with pale yellow petals and buttercup yellow cups in mid-spring. The petals gradually fade with age. Ideal for warmer climates, it is a great choice for rock gardens or containers.

Hardiness	5 - 9
Exposure	Full Sun, Partial Sun
Seasons	Spring (Mid)
Height	6" - 8" (15cm - 20cm)

Ornithogalum nutans (Drooping Star of Bethlehem)

Native to Bulgaria and Turkey, Ornithogalum nutans is an attractive bulbous perennial boasting one-sided racemes of up to 15 fragrant, nodding, bell-shaped, white flowers in mid to late spring. Each blossom consists of 6 tepals adorned with white edges and a green stripe on the outside. Very pretty, the flowers open up into a star shape and last well when picked. The narrow, strap-shaped bright green leaves feature a silver central vein. A striking cut flower and wonderful naturalizer.

Hardiness	6 - 10
Exposure	Full Sun, Partial Sun
Seasons	Spring (Mid, Late)
Height	1' - 2' (30cm - 60cm)

Oxalis adenophylla (Silver Shamrock)

Native to Chile and Argentina, Oxalis adelophylla (Silver Shamrock) is a bulbous perennial forming a dense clump of finely incised gray-green leaves composed of several heart-shaped leaflets. In late spring to early summer, open-faced, white flowers, 1 in. across, flushed with purple toward their petal tips and adorned with lilac veins, appear above the handsome, clover-like foliage. Very cold hardy, Silver Shamrock also does well in mild climates as long as the soil is kept moist but well-drained. Its considerable ornamental appeal makes it a first-rate plant for rock gardens, borders, and containers.

Hardiness	4 - 9
Exposure	Full Sun, Partial Sun
Seasons	Spring (Late), Summer (Early)
Height	3" - 4" (8cm - 10cm)

Tulipa batalinii ‘Bright Gem’ (Botanical Tulip)

A charmingly true and perennial tulip, Tulip ‘Bright Gem’ is an adorable little tulip with sulfur yellow, rounded flowers delicately flushed with apricot. The flowers are proudly held on short stems just above the narrow gray-green leaves. Growing up to 6 inches tall (15 cm), this tulip naturalizes easily and will form larger colonies with each passing year.

Hardiness	3 - 8
Exposure	Full Sun
Seasons	Spring (Mid, Late)
Height	5" - 6" (13cm - 15cm)

Tulipa clusiana ‘Cynthia’ (Botanical Tulip)

Radiating long-lasting beauty, Tulip ‘Cynthia’ is an enchanting bi-color variety that ignites excitement. Its pale yellow flowers, delicately flamed with rose-red, captivate the heart. These exquisite blossoms open fully on sunny days, forming perfect star-shaped blooms. With gray leaves, this heirloom tulip effortlessly naturalizes, forming larger colonies each year. Growing up to 10 inches tall (25 cm), it adds charm to any garden.

Hardiness	3 - 8
Exposure	Full Sun
Seasons	Spring (Mid)
Height	10" (25cm)

Tulipa Clusiana ‘Lady Jane’ (Botanical Tulip)

Tulip ‘Lady Jane’ is quite short but makes a striking impact with its lovely color combination: rosy red with white margins on the outside, and snow-white on the inside. The completely opened flower forms a star during the sunny hours. Wet, windy weather during its flowering period in mid-spring will have little effect on ‘Lady Jane’!

Hardiness	3 - 8
Exposure	Full Sun
Seasons	Spring (Mid)
Height	10" (25cm)

Tulipa clusiana ‘Peppermint Stick’ (Botanical Tulip)

With its candy cane resemblance, Tulip ‘Peppermint Stick’ fills hearts with delight. This charming bi-color tulip features slender, upright leaves and eye-catching white flowers adorned with cherry red stripes on their outer tepals. Opening fully on sunny days, they create perfect star-shaped blooms. ‘Peppermint Stick’ is resilient to wet and windy weather, making it a stunning addition to mid-spring gardens.

Hardiness	3 - 8
Exposure	Full Sun
Seasons	Spring (Mid)
Height	1' (30cm)

Tulipa clusiana chrysantha ‘Tubergen’s Gem’ (Botanical Tulip)

With its award-winning beauty, Tulip ‘Tubergen’s Gem’ dazzles with its captivating colors. The rhodonite red petals, edged with sulfur-yellow, create a stunning contrast with the vibrant canary yellow interior. When fully open, the flower forms a delightful star shape. This gem of a tulip remains unaffected by wet and windy mid-spring weather. Growing up to 10 inches tall (25 cm), it effortlessly naturalizes and returns year after year, spreading its radiant charm.

Hardiness	3 - 8
Exposure	Full Sun
Seasons	Spring (Mid)
Height	10" (25cm)

Tulipa humilis ‘Alba Coerulea Oculata’ (Botanical Tulip)

Delicate and refined, Tulipa humilis ‘Alba Coreulea Oculata’ is a stunning tulip with white goblet-shaped flowers and deep blue centers. Its starry blooms open to reveal the captivating steel-blue hearts in full sun. Growing 4-6 inches tall (10-15 cm), this small tulip effortlessly naturalizes, adding beauty to the garden in early-mid spring.

Hardiness	4 - 8
Exposure	Full Sun
Seasons	Spring (Early, Mid)
Height	4" - 6" (10cm - 15cm)

Tulipa tarda (Botanical Tulip)

Multiple award-winning Tulip ‘Tarda’ is a top performer, boasting elegant star-shaped flowers with yellow petals adorned with white tips. Clustered tightly together, they make a striking impact with their lovely color combination, specifically when the completely opened flowers form a star during the sunny hours.

Hardiness	3 - 10
Exposure	Full Sun
Seasons	Spring (Early)
Height	6" (15cm)

Anemone blanda (Grecian Windflower)

Anemone blanda (Grecian Windflower) is a delightful and rewarding plant that brings bursts of bright colors to the garden in mid-spring. Its daisy-like flowers in shades of white, blue, and pink bloom abundantly over the finely cut foliage, creating a charming display. Perfect for planting along paths and borders, or even under shade trees, these flowers provide weeks of springtime joy.

Hardiness	4 - 8
Exposure	Full Sun, Partial Sun
Seasons	Spring (Mid)
Height	4" - 6" (10cm - 15cm)

Anemone blanda (Grecian Windflower) Read More

Cyclamineus Daffodils (Narcissus)

Elegant and graceful, Cyclamineus or Miniature Daffodils feature small flowers, one per stem, with slightly to strongly swept-back petals and straight-sided trumpets. Sometimes, they resemble cyclamen, therefore the name of their group. Among the first hybrid daffodils to bloom, they can be admired from early to mid-spring and sometimes later in the season, depending on cultivars and weather conditions.

Hardiness	3 - 9
Exposure	Full Sun, Partial Sun
Seasons	Spring (Early, Mid)
Height	8" - 2' (20cm - 60cm)

Cyclamineus Daffodils (Narcissus) Read More

Ipheion (Spring Starflower)

Ipheion, also known as Spring Starflower, is a resilient and durable bulbous perennial. It showcases delightful star-shaped flowers with a sweet violet fragrance, blooming on long, slender stems during mid to late spring. With up to 8 weeks of blossoming, these dainty flowers emerge from a cushion of narrow, pale, delicate leaves. Considered one of the simplest bulbs to cultivate.

Hardiness	5 - 9
Exposure	Full Sun, Partial Sun
Seasons	Spring (Mid, Late)
Height	3" - 6" (8cm - 15cm)

Ipheion (Spring Starflower) Read More

Iris reticulata (Dwarf Iris)

Iris reticulata, also known as Dwarf Iris, is a small but stunning spring-flowering bulb. It features delicate, vibrant blooms in shades of blue, purple, and yellow, with intricate patterns and a sweet fragrance. Perfect for rock gardens, borders, and containers, it adds a pop of color to early-season gardens.

Hardiness	5 - 8
Exposure	Full Sun, Partial Sun
Seasons	Spring (Early), Winter
Height	4" - 6" (10cm - 15cm)

Iris reticulata (Dwarf Iris) Read More

Kaufmanniana Tulips

Kaufmanniana Tulips, also known as Waterlily Tulips, are early bloomers with wide, bowl-shaped flowers that open wide in the sun. They showcase vibrant colors and distinctive markings. These tulips are ideal for rock gardens, containers, or naturalizing, and they add a cheerful and charming touch to spring landscapes.

Hardiness	3 - 8
Exposure	Full Sun
Seasons	Spring (Early)
Height	6" - 1' (15cm - 30cm)

Kaufmanniana Tulips Read More

2 – Plant your Bulbs Properly

Plant all the suggested plants in open, sunny sites with good drainage and reasonably fertile soil
Plant them in small groups but remember to leave room for their natural increase. As these bulbs will be in place for several years, you want to avoid overcrowding that would reduce flowering.
Dig planting holes with a trowel or bulb planter. The holes need to be about three times the height of the bulb.
Plant the bulbs with their points facing up and their roots facing down.
Fill the hole with the previously removed soil and tamp the surface gently.

You may want to review these useful guides

12 Top Performing Spring Bulbs that Come Back Year After Year! Read More

Brighten Up Your Garden From January Through May with Colorful Flower Bulbs Read More

Combining Tulips with Annuals and Perennials Read More

Great Daffodils that Come Back Every Year Read More

Most Fragrant Daffodils Read More

Pretty Tulips that Come Back Every Year Read More

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While every effort has been made to describe these plants accurately, please keep in mind that height, bloom time, and color may differ in various climates. The description of these plants has been written based on numerous outside resources.