23 Unusual Flower Bulbs to Plant This Season

Sweater weather is a perfect match for planting winter and spring blooming bulbs. The warm soil, cool air, and bountiful moisture create the ideal environment for bulbs to establish roots before the ground freezes.

I’m always looking for unique and unusual plants for my garden. Whether it’s an uncommon color or a particularly fancy petal formation, if it’s different, it just feels special. This goes for foliage plants as well as flowers. We are here to talk about flowering bulbs, though. 

There is a seemingly endless assortment of varieties to choose from. Tulips, daffodils, amaryllis, and more, when it comes to beautiful cultivars, I could spend all day looking at them. I’d love to show you some of my favorite, unusual flowering bulbs to plant in the fall. 

Tulip ‘Vovos’

	botanical name Tulipa x gesneriana Parrot Group ‘Vovos’
	sun requirements Full sun to partial shade
	height 16”
	hardiness zones 3-8

Tulips are delightful, if a bit demure for my personal taste. That is until I discovered parrot tulips! These extra fancy blooms have heavily textured, ruffled petals and come in a wealth of showy color combinations. They don’t require extra care to go with their fancy flowers. 

‘Vovos’ is an extraordinary variety of parrot tulip. It blooms in shades of lavender and apricot with touches of gold here and there. Provide them with fertile, well-draining soil and plenty of sunlight. A planting depth of 12cm is just right for these. You can expect to see buds in mid-spring. 

Daffodil ‘Pipit’

	botanical name Narcissus jonquilla ‘Pipit’
	sun requirements Full sun to partial shade
	height 8”-14”
	hardiness zones 3-10

Yellow and white daffodils are nothing novel, but this one stands out from the crowd. ‘Pipit’ is the reverse of most varieties, with yellow petals and a pure white cup. The white extends onto the petals in a sparkling starburst. 

Their special looks don’t make these any harder to care for. Daffodils are forgiving and sturdy perennials that form colonies if allowed. Each of ‘Pipit’s’ stems holds a single, perfect, fragrant blossom. They should pop up right alongside your tulips.

Allium ‘Sicilian Honey Garlic’

	botanical name Nectaroscordum siculum
	sun requirements Full sun to partial shade
	height 3’-4’
	hardiness zones 5-10

Sicilian honey garlic is a type of allium, and a large one. Growing up to four feet tall, these beauties tower over your spring flower beds. They are low maintenance and sturdy, not to mention drought tolerant. They attract bees, but no worries about other critters snacking on them. Their potent garlic scent keeps most animals away.

These Mediterranean natives make an impact visually. Their height makes them eye-catching, and their flowers are unique and beautiful. Umbels of small, rosy pink and white blossoms bounce about at the end of slender stems. 

Ranunculus ‘Purple Jean’

	botanical name Ranunculus amandine ‘Purple Jean’
	sun requirements Full sun
	height 12”-15”
	hardiness zones 8-11

If you live in Zones 8-10, you’re lucky to be able to plant ranunculus in the fall. In fact, that is the best time to plant these corms in warm climates. The frost-resistant foliage will grow lush over the winter and then enjoy a long blooming season beginning in early spring. 

Ranunculus is a florist favorite. They have a delicate appearance but are surprisingly sturdy if you cut them before the flowers open. ‘Purple Jean’ is a gorgeous bicolor variety with exceptionally dense petals. The blooms can have a darker purple eye, though they don’t always. 

Amaryllis ‘Double Dream’

	botanical name Hippeastrum ‘Double Dream’
	sun requirements Full sun to partial shade
	height 18”-30”
	hardiness zones 8-11

If you are planting outdoors, this one also applies to warmer climates only. However, you can force the bulbs indoors for gorgeous, early blooming for the holiday season. Though not a true amaryllis, ‘Double Dream’ is a member of the Hippeastrum genus, which are close relatives and typically lumped together. 

‘Double Dream’ has enormous, seven-inch flowers with double petal form. Each of the more than a dozen petals is rose-red with darker striping and a touch of white at the pointed ends. 

Muscari ‘Pink Surprise’

	botanical name Muscari comosum L. ‘Pink Surprise’
	sun requirements Full sun to partial shade
	height 6”-8”
	hardiness zones 3-9

You probably know these sweet little spring flowers by the name grape hyacinth. It’s not difficult to imagine how they got that name. Their buds look like clusters of tiny purple grapes. Well, some of them are purple. ‘Pink Surprise’ is exactly what it sounds like a surprisingly pink variety of muscari!

These sweet little bulbs send up clumps of grasslike leaves early in the year, followed by several small flower spikes. They are popular with pollinators and spread by self-seeding as well as division. Plant these where you’d like to see a colony of blooming beauties. They work well in rock gardens, as well. 

Anemone ‘de Caen Sylphide’

	botanical name Anemone coronaria ‘De Caen Sylphide’
	sun requirements Full sun to partial shade
	height 10”-24”
	hardiness zones 7-10

Anemones are gorgeous flowers and surprisingly easy to grow. They like plenty of light, sandy, well-draining soil and a moderate amount of water. If you live in a hot climate, give them partial shade, especially in the afternoon. 

If you live north of Zone 7, sow these in the spring. They will grow as annuals. Dig up the corms in the fall and store them indoors. In Zones 7-10, they are perennials. Plant in the fall for an earlier start. These have corms, technically not bulbs, but close enough. Soak your corms for several hours before planting. 

There are plenty of pink flowers in the garden, but few match the intensity of ‘De Caen Sylphide.’ The bright magenta blooms are single-petaled with an enchanting black eye in the center, ringed by golden stamens. 

Tulip ‘Ice Cream’

	botanical name Tulipa double late ‘Ice Cream’
	sun requirements Full sun to partial shade
	height 10”-16”
	hardiness zones 3-9

I have the perfect plant if you want to add some whimsy to your beds! I had to include this second tulip because it’s as sweet as they come. ‘Ice Cream’ has a look all its own. When this tulip blooms, A dark pink base opens only halfway to reveal a mound of snow-white petals. 

‘Ice Cream’ looks good enough to eat. Aside from its rather tasty appearance, this tulip likes the same care as any other. Warmer climate gardeners should give them some shade in the afternoon, cooler climate gardeners shoot for exposure most of the day. 

Bearded Iris ‘Raven Girl’

	botanical name Iris germanica ‘Raven Girl’
	sun requirements Full sun
	height 24”-39”
	hardiness zones 3-9

Where are my goth gardeners? I chose this one, especially for you! Bearded irises always make a statement with their large, fancy, ruffled blooms. Give them lots of light and rich, well-drained soil. Amend with compost if your soil has a lot of clay. 

‘Raven Girl’ is the closest thing I’ve seen to a true black flower. The standards are more of a deep purple, but the falls are jet black with a sheen like the bird feathers they get their name from. This is a glorious flower, and it looks wonderful in any space. It’s a goth girl’s dream, though.

Fritillaria ‘Early Fantasy’

	botanical name Fritillaria imperialis ‘Early Fantasy’
	sun requirements Full sun to partial shade
	height 2’-4’
	hardiness zones 3-9

Fritillaria keeps the pollinators happy and gardeners, too. This unique and beautiful plant displays clusters of downturned blossoms in warm shades. ‘Early Fantasy is an early bloomer with gold, bell-shaped flowers with a coral blush radiating downward from the base of each blossom. 

Plant these together to enjoy the lovely pink-tinged foliage and charming inflorescences. They look like something you might find in a fairy garden and are perfect for the cottage garden!

Crocus ‘Ruby Giant’

	botanical name Crocus tommasinianus ‘Ruby Giant’
	sun requirements Full sun to partial shade
	height 4”
	hardiness zones 3-8

Crocus are often among the first plants to pop up in late winter and early spring. They are good colonizers, so plant them in a clump and give them some space to spread. The results will delight you. Crocus loves the light. They open on sunny days and fold back up in the evening or on cloudy days. 

Crocus typically comes in shades of yellow, purple, and white. ‘Ruby Giant’ is a deep purple with a reddish tint that gives the blooms a dynamic appearance. They are especially striking when the light catches them and accentuates the color variation. 

Foxtail Lily ‘Romance’

	botanical name Eremurus ‘Romance’
	sun requirements Full sun
	height 3’-6’
	hardiness zones 5-8

Foxtail lilies are statement makers. They tower dramatically over your flower beds and are spectacular in cut arrangements. They are very hardy and resistant to pests and diseases, but pollinators adore them. Tall flower spikes provide a lot of nectar for bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds. 

‘Romance’ is a fairly standard representation of the genus in size and form. It’s the color of the blooms that caught my attention. They are a soft, rose shade of peach with abundant orange-tipped stamens. The spikes resemble a bottle brush. 

Lenten Rose ‘New York Night’

	botanical name Helleborus orientalis ‘New York Night’
	sun requirements Partial to full shade
	height 12”-24”
	hardiness zones 4-9

Lenten rose, also known as hellebore, is a delightful winter-blooming plant. Its evergreen foliage looks beautiful all winter in all but the coldest end of its range. These clump-forming perennials prefer a fair amount of shade, with minimal exposure early in the day and none in the afternoon. 

The blooms come in a range of cool shades. Rosewood pink, cool white, and even green are common. ‘New York Night’ is another variety for my goth gardeners. The sturdy petals of this variety are the darkest red you can imagine, bordering on black. They have bright yellow eyes, which makes them attention-grabbing. 

Siberian Iris ‘I See Stars’

	botanical name Iris sibirica ‘I See Stars’
	sun requirements Full sun
	height 24”
	hardiness zones 4-9

Siberian Irises are a less flamboyant cousin of the bearded iris. Despite their more simplistic appearance, they are still exceptionally beautiful and make an excellent addition to cut arrangements. If you cut them while still in the bud, they will stay fresh for up to a week. 

The blooms are usually shades of purple or lavender with white and yellow accents. The white accents are especially bright and central to ‘I See Stars.’ As their name implies, these flowers are deep violet with a bright white star shape in the center. 

Asiatic Lily ‘Netty’s Pride’

	botanical name Lilium ‘Netty’s Pride’
	sun requirements Full sun to partial shade
	height 2’-3’
	hardiness zones 4-8

Asiatic lilies are another star of the garden and work especially well in your cutting beds. They have a vase life of up to two weeks with proper care. The blooms are large, colorful, and sturdy. Deadheading will keep them flowering for a long time in early to mid-summer. 

‘Netty’s Pride’ stands out above the crowd. Large, star-like blooms are oxblood with a splash of white in the center and snowy white tips. Be careful about these if you have fur babies who like munching in the garden. Like many bulb plants, these are toxic to pets. 

African Iris

	botanical name Dietes iridioides
	sun requirements Full sun to partial shade
	height 2’-4’
	hardiness zones 8-11

African iris, or Fortnight Lily, is a less common plant best suited for warm climates. Fall planting will give it optimal time to establish roots during the cool portion of the year. Give it a bit of shade in the afternoon to keep it looking perky.

In cooler climates, this is a spring-planted annual. Dig up your bulbs in the fall and save them indoors over the winter. Their dainty, white flowers will enchant and delight. They are clump-forming and perennial in warm climates, so expect these to colonize.

Bearded Iris ‘Ovation’

	botanical name Iris germanica ‘Ovation’
	sun requirements Full sun
	height 24”-36”
	hardiness zones 3-9

Choosing just one bearded iris was too hard, so I didn’t. Their flashy flowers are just so wonderful they deserve extra attention. These truly give you a lot of bang for your buck. They are easy to care for and make a statement in any bed. 

Hyacinth ‘Woodstock’

	botanical name Hyacinthus orientalis ‘Woodstock’
	sun requirements Full sun to partial shade
	height 6”-12”
	hardiness zones 4-8

These are some of the most fragrant spring bloomers; you can also force them indoors. Hyacinths are easy to grow, requiring little attention until you’re ready to cut them for an arrangement. They simply smell too good to leave them outdoors!

Be careful when planting these; they are toxic, and contact can cause skin irritation. It is best to wear gloves. I chose ‘Woodstock’ for this list because it has the most striking, plum-colored flower spikes. The color is much richer than most varieties, and they are highly fragrant. 

Dog’s Tooth Violet ‘Purple King’

	botanical name Erythronium dens-canis ‘Purple King’
	sun requirements Partial shade
	height 4”-10”
	hardiness zones 3-9

If you want something unique to form a colony under trees and in other shaded areas, dog’s tooth violet is perfect. This small plant has gorgeous red and green mottled foliage, and when mass-planted, it is simply wonderful. 

Slender stems support unique blooms. The flowers face downward, but the petals seem to grow in opposition to the plant, growing backward toward the sky. ‘Purple King’ has orchid-purple petals with yellow and white centers. The white stamens are violet-tipped. 

Tulip ‘Hilde’

	botanical name Tulipa cretica ‘Hilde’
	sun requirements Full sun to partial shade
	height 6”
	hardiness zones 3-8

I will add one more tulip because this is a wild tulip and is less common than the more cultivated types. However, they have similar needs to other tulips, so treat them in the same fashion. They work well in rock or cottage gardens.

The ‘Hilde’ variety is petite and perfect. They will rarely grow taller than six inches and form a small cluster of blooms on delicate, slender stems. The flowers are white with dark pink striping and a deep orange throat. 

Amaryllis Galaxy ‘Grandise Fantasy’

	botanical name Hippeastrum Galaxy ‘Grandise Fantasy’
	sun requirements Full sun to partial shade
	height 18”-24”
	hardiness zones 8-11

Here’s one more amaryllis because they are simply spectacular. The lesser-known varieties don’t get nearly enough attention. I love the versatility of these plants. In warm climates, put them in the ground in the fall for a mid-spring to early summer show.

These grow well indoors in cool climates and bloom around the holidays if you force the bulbs. They do make an amazing houseplant. ‘Grandise Fantasy’ is dreamy with white flowers that explode with a flash of red emanating from the center. This is not your average white amaryllis. 

Persian Lily

	botanical name Fritillaria persica
	sun requirements Full sun
	height 3’-4’
	hardiness zones 4-8

Create drama in the garden with Persian lilies. This species of fritillaria is tall and imposing, with fascinating floral displays. Long, straight stems hold a large cluster of blossoms in shades of green, white, and, my favorite, deep maroon. 

Pollinators love the mass of bell-shaped blossoms. The long stems make these a great addition to the cutting garden. They bloom in mid to late spring. 

Daffodil ‘Vanilla Peach Butterfly’

	botanical name Narcissus pseudonarcissus ‘Vanilla Peach Butterfly’
	sun requirements Full sun to partial shade
	height 14”-16”
	hardiness zones 2-9

This last flower is another daffodil, and it’s simply breathtaking. It’s a split cup variety, which means that rather than a complete circle, there are multiple ruffled and whirling petals in the center. 

‘Vanilla Peach Butterfly’ has creamy white outer petals that deepen slightly to pale yellow. The whirl of ruffled cup petals is the prettiest peach. These are highly decorative and make excellent cut flowers.