Outside Flowering Bulbs That Multiply

Calla Lily

• The calla lily bulb produces a plant with flowers in shades of yellow, white, red and pink with thick, green stems. Calla lily flowers resemble rolled up paper. The foliage of the calla lily is deep, glossy green, and leaves are large in size. Calla lily bulbs grow in most any type of damp soil, however soil that is too damp causes the bulb to rot. The bulbs may be dug up and replanted, or dug up and separated after they multiply to add more plants in different areas of your garden.

Crocus

• The crocus is a plant with bright green foliage and flowers in shades of purple, yellow and white. Crocus bulbs grow well in an environment that offers full sun to partial shade. Depending on the type of crocus bulb, flowers will bloom in either spring or fall months. The bulbs multiply in large quantities. While they are tolerant to cold temperatures and ideal for outdoor gardening, you may also move the crocus bulbs indoors in the cold months to produce blooms year round.

African Lily

• The African lily (Ixia) is a flowering bulb that produces blooms during the summer months. The flowers are star-shaped and brightly colored in shades of pink, red and white. The plants require plenty of heat and sun to stay healthy. To grow properly, bulbs must be planted in rich soil and fertilized regularly with manure or compost. The bulbs are not tolerant of winter weather and must be dug up and stored indoors during winter months. African lily bulbs multiply each year they are planted, resulting in twice as many lily bulbs at the end of the season they were planted.

Giant Dutch Iris

• The giant Dutch iris produces colorful blooms each summer. The flowers can grow 12 to 18 inches high and are useful for cutting and placing in flower arrangements. These flowers also attract butterflies and hummingbirds to your garden. The giant Dutch iris bulb is tolerant of cold temperatures, but prefers sun and warm temperatures. In warm climates with warm soil, the bulbs multiply to create more plants.