In the spring, there are many kinds of spring flowering bulbs that make great cut flowers. Here are a few to consider.


Corn Lily

Also called African corn lily, this bulb is a member of the Iris family. Blooming in late spring and summer, these are native to South Africa. The bell-shaped or star-like blossoms can be two inches wide. These open in dense spikes, which are 1½ feet in height. The flowers come in different colors, including white, pinks, orange, and reds.

Mabel corn lily is a lovely deep pink. Yellow Emperor is a sunny yellow with maroon centers. Ursus corn lily has creamy peach with contrasting deep maroon centers.

Corn lilies are great for posies, and bouquets. With their wiry stems, they’re also used as line flower. Their vase life is around six to ten days. The stems are available commercially from early spring through late summer.

These are only hardy in warmer climates, zones seven through ten. However, they can be grown elsewhere as annuals.

These bulbs need a well drained soil, and prefer full sun. They are deer resistant.


Mariposa Lily

Also known as butterfly tulip and star tulip, these are native to parts of California. The lovely buttercup or tulip-like flowers appear at the top of the flower stems. These make great cut flowers.

They open either in small clusters or singly on the stems. A flower
consists of three showy petals and three sepal-like petals on the outer portion. The flower colors range from white to pinkish-purple, yellow, and orange. They often have colorful greenish or brown stripes down the center of the petals. They can also be spotted. The stems reach about 1½ to two feet or so in height.

They do well in full sun and partial shade. These are generally hardy in zones five through ten. But, in general they are better suited to their native regions of the western U.S. and California.

They’re a little picker than some bulbs. They do best in a slightly acidic, sandy, well-drained soil that is low in organic matter. The soil must be well drained as it doesn’t like wet conditions, especially during the winter. These are deer resistant.