Best Spring Bulbs for the Gulf Coast Region

Your area, with its mild winter climate and hot, humid summers, is perfect for most summer-blooming bulbs – and fine for a surprising number of spring bloomers too, if carefully chosen.

Optimum Planting Time: October 1st – December 31st
USDA Hardiness Zones: 8, 9

A New England B Mid-Atlantic Coastal C Appalachian D South Atlantic Coastal E Great Lakes F East Central G South Central H Tropical I Gulf Coast J Northern Central K Central & Great Plains L Rocky Mountains M Arid West N Northern Pacific Coast O Southern Pacific Coast P Alaska

General Instructions

• Most daffodils and other narcissi will thrive in your area even without pre-cooling, but tulips will require more effort! Most hardy spring-flowering bulbs must be treated as annuals in your area as there is not normally a long enough cold period to trigger the bloom cycle.
• To pre-cool tulips, hyacinths, and crocuses, store at 35-45° F, for instance, in a refrigerator crisper drawer, for a minimum of 8+ weeks and up to 14+ weeks. It’s important to avoid storing bulbs near ripening fruit, as it gives off ethylene gas, which can damage the flower inside the bulb. Once removed from cool storage, plant bulbs immediately.