Exotic Bulbs & Tubers

What are exotic bulbs and tubers?

Exotic bulbs are summer-flowering bulbs and tubers with a distinctly tropical look. Eucomis (pineapple lily) produces spikes of star-shaped flowers topped with leafy tufts. Gloriosa superba climbs 2 metres in a season and flowers in flame reds and yellows. Hardy Curcuma alismatifolia (Siam tulip) gives pink bracts on strap leaves. Most are planted in spring after the last frost, flower in mid to late summer, then die back for winter. Some are hardy enough to leave in the ground; others are lifted and stored dry. Read our honest guide to what to expect from hardy exotics through the seasons before ordering.

Care essentials for exotic bulbs and tubers

• Planting time: Plant most exotic bulbs in spring, once soil temperatures reach 10 degrees. Late April or May is usually right for the UK.
• Position: Full sun for most. Eucomis and Curcuma tolerate a couple of hours of shade. Gloriosa needs full sun and a warm wall.
• Soil: Free-draining. Wet crowns in winter kill more exotic bulbs than any frost. In heavy soil, plant on a bed of sharp sand or grit.
• Hardiness: Species-specific. Eucomis is H4 to H5 in the UK (leave in the ground with a dry mulch). Gloriosa is H2 and must be lifted before frost.
• After flowering: Let foliage die back naturally to feed the bulb for next year. Lift tender species (Gloriosa, Curcuma) in October, dry off, and store in a frost-free shed until spring.

Explore the exotic bulb range

Exotic bulbs work beautifully alongside exotic border plants, hardy perennials and in large pots for summer patio impact. See the full Hardy Exotics range for planting companions.