Bulb Planning 2026: Designing for a Long-Lasting Display

This bulb garden will unfold in layers from early spring to summer. It is filled with reliable, timeless, effortless beauty. I choose my narcissus for their naturalizing potential — they’ll multiply year after year.

Tulips, on the other hand, I select for bloom time so I can stretch the season. With the exception of the tulips, this collection is rabbit-resistant and reliably reblooms year after year with the right soil and moisture.

Without further ado, meet my mix…

Narcissus ‘Thalia’ is a reliable multiplier with elegant, long-lasting blossoms — multiple blooms on each stem for twice the charm. Dreamy in a moon garden!

‘Black Parrot’ tulips have deep, fringed petals. They flower in mid to late spring, adding striking texture and contrast to your garden as other tulips finish. Perfect for creating depth and sophistication in your spring palette. Pairs beautifully with apricot shades.

Allium ‘Purple Sensation’ is a true showstopper! I love leaving the seed heads standing, even after the blooms fade — they add height, structure and texture to the summer garden.

Camassia’s elegant spikes of blue bring height, texture and a touch of surprise to the late-spring garden. Perfect for naturalizing in borders, meadows, or woodland edges and loved by pollinators too! 

Narcissus ‘Ice Follies’ bulbs naturally split and multiply over time, forming dense clumps in woodlands or sun borders. One of the most low-maintenance, deer resistant and reliably perennial bulbs around. Narcissus ‘Ice Follies’ bulbs naturally split and multiply over time, forming dense clumps in woodlands or sun borders. One of the most low-maintenance, deer resistant and reliably perennial bulbs around. 

‘Tulip Quebec’ is an early blooming tulip with striking striations on each petal. This multi-flowering variety helps extend the spring display and keeps the garden colorful for longer.

 ‘Apricot Impressions’ tulips — my mid-bloomer is elegant, statuesque and one of the best for cutting. A reminder that the best gardens give back, both outdoors and in.

Spanish Bluebells love to naturalize in a woodland, sending up soft, grass-like foliage before their blue bells appear later in spring.

‘Queen of the Night’ is another late-blooming tulip bringing deep, velvety drama that beautifully complements the softer apricot tones in my palette.