Allium caeruleum

An early summer-flowering ornamental onion, this allium has alluring ice-blue rounded flowerheads. The mid-green leaves disappear before the flowers open, leaving solitary ”lollipops“ punctuating the border display on stiff stems. Well-drained soil helps to prevent bulbs rotting in winter. Height 24 in (60 cm) – Width 1 in (2.5 cm)

Allium cristophii

Huge, rounded flowerheads made up of many star-like, pinkish-purple blooms ensure this plant’s place as a designers’ favorite. A scattering of these bulbs among low-growing plants adds unexpected interest in early summer. The dried seedheads are spectacular in indoor arrangements. Height 12–24 in (30–60 cm) – Width 6 in (15 cm)

Allium hollandicum ‘Purple Sensation’

The deep purple, spherical flowerheads of ‘Purple Sensation’ look stunning when planted with silver-leaved, shorter plants. This is a summer-flowering bulb that will self-sow around the garden, although the resulting seedlings may not be so richly colored. The blooms make decorative dried flowers. Height 3 ft (1 m) – Width 3 in (7 cm)

Anemone blanda ‘White Splendor’

Quick to establish and form a carpet, this white anemone brings a gleam of light to gardens in spring. For a different color, try ‘Radar’, which has magenta flowers with a white eye, or ‘Pink Star’, with bright pink blooms. All look delightful in large drifts below spring-flowering trees. Height 6 in (15 cm) – Width 6 in (15 cm)

Canna ‘Durban’

Vividly colored foliage and bright, ”hot“ flowers, which appear from late summer to fall, make cannas an exotic addition to mixed borders. The deep purple, paddle-shaped leaves sometimes have contrasting midribs. Cannas look very attractive in containers, adding a tropical element to a patio. Height 4 ft (1.2 m) – Width 24 in (60 cm)

Canna ‘Striata’

A statement plant for a bed or border, ‘Striata’ has broad, rich green leaves striped with yellow, and showy, bright orange flowers, carried on dark red-purple stems, from midsummer to early fall. As with most cannas, in cold areas rhizomes should be lifted to overwinter in a frost-free place. Height 5 ft (1.5 m) – Width 20 in (50 cm)

Convallaria majalis

Lily-of-the-valley is a creeping perennial loved for its sweetly fragrant, white, bell-shaped flowers. Dark green leaves are upward-pointing, with leafless flowerstalks rising among them in late spring. The plant relishes moist, fertile soil in either full or partial shade. All parts are toxic. Height 9 in (23 cm) – Width 12 in (32 cm)

Crinum x powellii

A very decorative plant, this lily produces flared trumpet blooms, up to ten at a time, at the top of rigid stems from late summer until mid-fall. It suits a position at the base of a sheltered, sunny wall. In cooler areas, provide a deep winter mulch. For a pure white form, choose the cultivar ‘Album’. 5 ft (1.5 m)  12 in (30 cm)

Crocosmia x crocosmiiflora ‘Coleton Fishacre’

In a sunny border, the lemon-yellow trumpets of this South African plant will shine brightly against a background of bronze-tinted, mid-green foliage. Split the clumps every few years for a good supply of flowers. Crocosmias make excellent cut flowers and can be grown solely for this purpose. Height 30–36 in (75–90 cm) – Width 18 in (45 cm)

Crocosmia x crocosmiiflora ‘Venus’

The dense green, strappy foliage of this crocosmia is attractive even before the red blooms appear in summer. As each flower opens, a distinctive deep yellow throat is revealed. Overgrown clumps can be split and divided in spring and used to expand your border display. Height 28 in (70 cm) – Width  18 in (45 cm)

Crocosmia masoniorum ‘Firebird’

A strong-growing crocosmia, ‘Firebird’ has tapering, straplike foliage, joined in summer by arching stems of bright orange-red flowers with speckled throats. It tolerates drier conditions than many crocosmias, and flowers freely. Divide clumps in spring to rejuvenate tired plants. Height 32 in (80 cm) – Width 12–18 in (30–45 cm)

Crocus goulimyi

This is one of the fall-flowering crocuses, producing scented, long-tubed, lilac flowers at the same time as the leaves. It can be naturalized in a lawn in drifts, grown around the edges of mixed borders, or planted in containers on a patio (use a gritty potting mix to ensure free drainage). Height 4 in (10 cm) – Width 2 in (5 cm)

Crocus tommasinianus

Silvery-lilac to purple petals are the distinguishing features of this late winter- to early spring-flowering crocus. Grow in naturalized drifts in grassy areas or in small clumps in terracotta pots on a windowsill. For a white-flowered selection, try Crocus tommasinianus f. albus. Height 3–4 in (8–10 cm) – Width 1 in (2.5 cm)

Cyclamen hederifolium

These fluted pink flowers are carried above the soil surface in mid- to late fall before the appearance of any foliage. The triangular or heart-shaped leaves are dark green with intricate silver patterning. The plant self-seeds freely and suits a site under trees or shrubs in partial shade. Mulch annually. Height 4–5 in (10–13 cm) – Width 6 in (15 cm)

Dahlia ‘Bishop of Llandaff’

The vivid red, semidouble flowers of this dahlia look dramatic against the black-red foliage, making it a striking addition to a mixed border from summer to fall. ‘Bishop of Llandaff’ also suits containers. In frost-prone areas, tubers should be lifted after the first frost and stored in a cool, dry place. Height 3½ ft (1.1m) – Width 18 in (45 cm)

Dahlia ‘David Howard’

The dark green-purple leaves and stems make an excellent foil for the large, double, burnt orange flowers of this dahlia. Stems can be used for indoor arrangements, and regular cutting will encourage further flowering. Site in a sunny border. See D. ‘Bishop of Llandaff’ for overwintering advice. Height 30 in (75 cm) – Width 24 in (60 cm)

Eranthis hyemalis

Buttercup-yellow cup-shaped flowers, surrounded by a collar of deeply-cut green leaves, are a welcome sight in the depths of winter. Relatives of buttercups, winter aconites rapidly spread by way of their underground tubers. Plant where the soil does not dry out in summer. Height 2–3 in (5–8 cm) – Width 3 in (8 cm)

Erythronium dens-canis

The European dog’s-tooth violet produces heavily marked green leaves and dainty nodding flowers from winter to early spring, in colors ranging from white through to pink. The plant likes well-drained soil in dappled shade, and looks attractive grown underneath deciduous trees or shrubs. Height 4–6 in (10–15 cm) – Width 4 in (10 cm)

Eucomis bicolor

The pineapple lily from South Africa needs full sun and rich soil in order to flourish. Maroon-spotted stems appear among the leaves in late summer, bearing pale green flowers with purple markings. It will grow best in a sheltered bed against a warm wall. Mulch dormant bulbs in very hard winters. Height 12–24 in (30–60 cm) – Width 8 in (20 cm)

Fritillaria imperialis

Tall, stately, and strong-growing, the crown imperial stands regally in the center of an island bed or within a mixed border or rock garden. Clusters of orange flowers, yellow if you choose the cultivar ‘Maxima Lutea’, radiate from the top of tall stems in early summer. Height to 5 ft (1.5 m) – Width 10–12 in (25–30 cm)

Fritillaria meleagris

A native of English grasslands, the snake’s head fritillary looks stunning when planted en masse in grassy areas, each petal featuring a distinctive checkered pattern. These spring-flowering bulbs in pinkish-purple or white can be mixed to create a patchwork effect. Height to 12 in (30 cm) – Width 2–3 in (5–8 cm)

Galanthus ‘Atkinsii’

The cold season would not be the same without snowdrops, and there are plenty of cultivars to choose from. They flower from late winter and can be planted in grass or in small pots on their own. Lift and divide clumps when the leaves die back ‘Atkinsii’ is vigorous, with slender green-marked flowers. Height 8 in (20 cm) – Width 3 in (8 cm)