Create Your Garden

Best Spring Bulbs for the South Central Region

Spring Bulbs, Spring Flowers

South Central Region, Spring Bulbs for  South Central Region, Spring Flowers for  South Central Region,  US Region Map, US Planting Map

Your moderate climate with its mildly cold winters and hot, humid summers, suits most spring-flowering bulbs except for those that have longer cold requirements and drier summer dormancy.

Optimum Planting Time: October 15th – December 15th
USDA Hardiness Zones: 7, 8

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
U.S. Bulb Planting Regions Map

General Instructions

  • Plant bulbs in the fall, starting when nighttime temperatures stay between 40-50°F. But, be sure to plant approximately six weeks before the ground freezes to allow sufficient time for rooting. Bulbs will root best in cool soil and once rooted undergo natural changes that keep them from freezing. Water your bulbs after planting to help them start the rooting process.
  • After planting, apply slow-release "bulb food" fertilizer on the top of the ground to supply nutrients for the second year's bloom. (Bulbs are already fully charged with energy for peak flowering performance in their first spring bloom season.) Do not put the fertilizer in the hole with the bulb as this may burn the bulb's tender roots.
    Please note: Modern bone meal generally has little value as a bulb fertilizer and often draws rodents and dogs that dig up the bulbs looking for bones!
  • After the ground cools or freezes, cover your bulb beds with a lightweight mulch (pine needles, buckwheat hulls, straw, or chopped-up leaves) 2 — 4 inches thick to help keep down weeds and maintain a consistently cool soil temperature.

Special Note
A number of bulbs do naturalize in this climate. Many heirloom or 'pass along' bulbs are found around old homes and cemeteries. Some tropical, semi-tender bulbs winter-over here with proper micro-climate placement and a mulch blanket.

Guide Information

Plant Type Bulbs
Season of Interest Spring (Early, Mid, Late)
Height

List of Bulbs for Perennializing (return for several years)

List of Bulbs for Naturalizing (return & multiply)

Explore Great Plant Combination Ideas
Middle South
Guides with
Middle South
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.

Guide Information

Plant Type Bulbs
Season of Interest Spring (Early, Mid, Late)
Height
Explore Great Plant Combination Ideas
Middle South
Guides with
Middle South

Related Items

Please Login to Proceed

You Have Reached The Free Limit, Please Subscribe to Proceed

Subscribe to Gardenia

To create additional collections, you must be a paid member of Gardenia
  • Add as many plants as you wish
  • Create and save up to 25 garden collections
Become a Member

Plant Added Successfully

You have Reached Your Limit

To add more plants, you must be a paid member of our site Become a Member

Update Your Credit
Card Information

Cancel

Create a New Collection

Sign Up to Our Newsletter

    You have been subscribed successfully

    Join Gardenia.net

    Create a membership account to save your garden designs and to view them on any device.

    Becoming a contributing member of Gardenia is easy and can be done in just a few minutes. If you provide us with your name, email address and the payment of a modest $25 annual membership fee, you will become a full member, enabling you to design and save up to 25 of your garden design ideas.

    Join now and start creating your dream garden!

    Join Gardenia.net

    Create a membership account to save your garden designs and to view them on any device.

    Becoming a contributing member of Gardenia is easy and can be done in just a few minutes. If you provide us with your name, email address and the payment of a modest $25 annual membership fee, you will become a full member, enabling you to design and save up to 25 of your garden design ideas.

    Join now and start creating your dream garden!

    Find your Hardiness Zone

    Find your Heat Zone

    Find your Climate Zone