Best Bulbs for Naturalizing
The Best Bulbs for Naturalising – Easy, Low-Maintenance Colour for Years to Come
If you want a beautiful garden without constant upkeep, naturalising bulbs are the perfect choice. These easy-care bulbs come back year after year, multiplying and creating bigger, better displays each season. Once planted, they settle into your garden and reliably return with very little effort.
Why Choose Bulbs That Naturalise?
Naturalising bulbs thrive in a wide range of conditions and are especially reliable in New Zealand gardens. After flowering, they store energy underground and reappear the following year—often with more blooms.
Benefits include:
- Very low maintenance once planted
- They multiply naturally over time
- Provide early-season colour when little else is flowering
- Ideal for pollinators such as bees
- Perfect for planting under trees, among shrubs, or through groundcovers
Tips for Planting Naturalising Bulbs
- Plant bulbs in areas where they won’t be disturbed.
- Allow foliage to die back naturally after flowering.
- Mix them into existing garden beds for a natural look.
- Choose proven varieties known for strong naturalising ability.
Top 10 Bulbs for Naturalising
Here are the best bulbs for naturalising in New Zealand, with planting density per square metre and product links from Bulbs Direct.
Grape Hyacinths (Muscari)
Planting density: 40 per m²
Fantastic for naturalising and attracting bees, forming carpets of blue or white blooms.
Jonquils / Polyanthus Daffodils
Planting density: 30–40 per m²
Fragrant, hardy and reliable – perfect for mass planting and naturalising.
Scilla (Bluebells) – King of the Blues
Planting density: 35 per m²
A woodland favourite that thrives under trees and naturalises easily.
Dwarf Iris (Iris reticulata)
Planting density: 25 per m²
A bold burst of early spring colour in compact clumps.
Ixia
Planting density: 50–60 per m²
Hardy, colourful and excellent for naturalising in sunny spots.
Sparaxis
Planting density: 50–60 per m²
Bright, cheerful flowers that look best planted in groups.
Dutch Iris
Planting density: 40 per m²
Tall, elegant flowers ideal for drifts of colour and cutting.
Crocus
Planting density: 50 per m²
One of the earliest spring flowers – stunning when naturalised in lawns or borders.
Freesias
Planting density: 40 per m²
Beautifully fragrant and great naturalisers in most NZ climates.
Mini Daffodils (Narcissus)
Planting density: 30 per m²
Compact and cheerful – perfect for borders, pots and naturalising.
