Best Full Shade Plant Bulbs of 2026

Toby Butcher Avatar
Toby Butcher
Last Updated: 5 Feb 2026

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For those with gardens or outdoor spaces that receive little to no direct sunlight, full shade plant bulbs are an excellent option. These bulbs are specifically designed to thrive in low-light environments, making them ideal for shaded areas under trees or near buildings. With a variety of colourful and unique options available, full shade plant bulbs can add a touch of natural beauty to any space. Whether you're looking to create a lush garden or simply add some greenery to your patio, these bulbs are a great choice.

At a Glance: Our Top Picks

Oliwier's Bulbs 10 Purple Ranunculus Corms Cover #TOP 1
Oliwier's Bulbs 10 Purple Ranunculus Corms
ftb score rating icon 9.8
Oliwier's Bulbs Leucojum Aestivum Summer Snowflake Cover #TOP 2
Oliwier's Bulbs Leucojum Aestivum Summer Snowflake
ftb score rating icon 9.7
Oliwier's Bulbs 10 x Large Flowering Crocus Mixed Spring Flowering Bulbs Early Flowers Ready Cover #TOP 3
Oliwier's Bulbs 10 x Large Flowering Crocus Mixed Spring Flowering Bulbs Early Flowers Ready
ftb score rating icon 9.5

Top 10 Full Shade Plant Bulbs

Oliwier's Bulbs 10 Purple Ranunculus Corms

Oliwier's Bulbs 10 Purple Ranunculus Corms Cover
Oliwier's Bulbs 10 x Ranunculus Asiaticus Purple Beautiful Spring Summer Flowering Bulbs Persian Buttercup Cut Flowers Hardy Garden Perennial Ready To Plant Corms Size 5/6

Oliwier's Bulbs Ranunculus offers you the chance to enhance your garden with stunning purple blooms that bring a touch of whimsy and romance. These rare corms produce fully double flowers with tightly clustered petals, making them perfect for both garden displays and cut arrangements. You can plant them in autumn or spring, ensuring flowers will grace your space from early spring to late summer. Remember to soak the corms overnight before planting, which helps them swell and thrive in your garden.

What We Like
Beautiful purple blooms
Ideal for cut flowers
Flexible planting times
Easy to grow in various light

Oliwier's Bulbs Leucojum Aestivum Summer Snowflake

Oliwier's Bulbs Leucojum Aestivum Summer Snowflake Cover
10x Leucojum Aestivum Spring Flowering Bulbs Autumn Planting Perennial Summer Snowflake Flowers

The Oliwier's Leucojum Bulbs, known as Summer Snowflake, produce elegant pure white flowers with fresh green markings that add a charming touch to your garden. These bulbs are very easy to grow, requiring just autumn planting in well-drained soil, so you can enjoy their blooms from February without any extra effort. They are perfect for planting under trees, around shrubs, or in borders and pots, offering versatility in your garden design. Over time, they naturalise and form larger clumps, giving you an increasingly beautiful display year after year.

What We Like
Easy to grow
Beautiful white flowers
Naturalises over time
Versatile planting options
Eco-friendly packaging
#TOP 3

Oliwier's Bulbs 10 x Large Flowering Crocus Mixed Spring Flowering Bulbs Early Flowers Ready

Oliwier's Bulbs 10 x Large Flowering Crocus Mixed Spring Flowering Bulbs Early Flowers Ready Cover
Oliwier's Bulbs 10 x Large Flowering Crocus Mixed Spring Flowering Bulbs Early Flowers Ready for Planting Now Colourful Hardy Perennial Bee Friendly Plants

Features
Excellent Naturalisers, These Hardy Flowers Can Be Relied Upon To Really Kick Start The Year. Growing To A Compact Height Of 10-15cm They Are Ideal For The Front Of A Border Or Patio Pots And Containers.
This Stunning Mixture Of Large Flowering Crocus Will Add An Abundance Of Colour To Your Garden Or Patio From February.. The Bright Blooms Flower In A Combination Of Yellow, White And Purple Shades Against A Background Of Dark Green Veined Foliage.
You Will Receive Pack Of 10 Quality Bulbs, Size 6/7 In Eco-Friendly Recyclable Packaging With Detailed Instructions Included
Very Easy To Grow. Bee Friendly. Suitable For Containers
Instructions For Planting When: August To December Flowers: February To March Plant The Bulbs 2-4" (5-10cm) Deep And 2" (5cm) Apart Plant In Groups For A Great Show Plant In A Well Drained, Moist Soil, Will Tolerate Clay, Sandy, Loamy, Chalk And Peat Type Soils. Best Location: Full Sun Or Partial Shade.

Oliwier's Bulbs 20x Winter Aconite Bulbs

Oliwier's Bulbs 20x Winter Aconite Bulbs Cover
Oliwier's Bulbs 20x Winter Aconite Eranthis Hyemalis Spring Flowering Bulbs Garden Hardy Dwarf Yellow Flowers Perfect for Bees & Naturalising

The Oliwier's Bulbs Winter Aconite is a delightful addition to your spring garden. These bulbs produce vibrant golden yellow flowers, creating a stunning floral carpet reminiscent of a woodland scene. Being bee-friendly, they attract pollinators, making your garden a haven for wildlife. With a growing height of just 8-10cm, they are perfect for small spaces. For best results, soak the bulbs prior to planting and position them in well-drained soil, either in full sun or shade.

What We Like
Beautiful golden yellow flowers
Attracts pollinating insects
Ideal for small gardens
Easy planting instructions
Eco-friendly packaging
#TOP 5

10 Pink Ranunculus Asiaticus Flower Bulbs

Pink
10 Pink Ranunculus Asiaticus Flower Bulbs Cover
10 x Ranunculus Asiaticus Pink Summer Flowering Bulbs Persian Buttercup Aviv Cut Flowers Hardy Garden Perennial Corms Size 5/6

Ranunculus Pink Bulbs are perfect for adding a touch of whimsy and romance to your garden. The lovely candy pink flowers feature tightly clustered petals, creating a beautiful display. You can enjoy these flowers as excellent cut flowers, ideal for brightening up your home. Plant them in autumn or spring for stunning blooms in early spring or late summer. Remember to soak the corms overnight for optimal growth. With their adaptability to full sun or partial shade, these bulbs are a delightful addition to any garden setting.

What We Like
Beautiful candy pink flowers
Excellent as cut flowers
Hardy in warmer areas
Easy to plant and grow
Versatile in sun or shade

20x Anemone Blanda Blue Shades Bulbs

Purple
20x Anemone Blanda Blue Shades Bulbs Cover
20x Anemone Blanda Blue Shades Bulbs Early Spring Flowering Summer Daisy Type Flowers Grecian Windflower Garden Perennials Size 5/6

The Anemone Blanda Bulbs are a delightful addition to any garden. Known as the 'Grecian windflower', these bulbs yield bright, daisy-like flowers in lovely blue and purple hues. They are perfect for naturalising in mixed borders or enhancing the beauty at the edges of a woodland garden. You can also use them in borders, patio pots, or rockery displays, bringing vibrant spring colour to your outdoor space. With their preference for humus-rich, well-drained soil and sunlight, they are easy to care for as they mature to a manageable height of 15cm.

What We Like
Cheerful spring flowers
Ideal for naturalising
Great for borders and pots
Easy to grow
#TOP 7

10x Crocus Large Flowering Yellow Mammoth Spring Bulbs Ready

Green,Yellow
10x Crocus Large Flowering Yellow Mammoth Spring Bulbs Ready Cover
10x Crocus Large Flowering Yellow Mammoth Spring Bulbs Ready for Planting Now Beautiful Hardy Perennial Bee Friendly Early Flowers

Features
Excellent Naturalisers In Grass And Woodland, These Hardy Flowers Can Be Relied Upon To Really Kick Start The Year. Growing To A Compact Height Of 10-15cm They Are Ideal For The Front Of A Border Or Patio Pots And Containers
This Stunning Large Flowering Yellow Crocus Will Add An Abundance Of Colour To Your Garden Or Patio From As Early As February. The Bright Sunshine Yellow Blooms Look Amazing Against A Background Of Dark Green Veined Foliage.
You Will Receive Pack Of 10 Quality Bulbs, Size 6/7 In Eco-Friendly Recyclable Packaging With Detailed Instructions Included
Very Easy To Grow. Bee Friendly. Suitable For Containers
Instructions For Planting When: August To December Flowers: February To March Plant The Bulbs 2-4" (5-10cm) Deep And 2" (5cm) Apart Plant In Groups For A Great Show Plant In A Well Drained, Moist Soil, Will Tolerate Clay, Sandy, Loamy, Chalk And Peat Type Soils. Best Location: Full Sun Or Partial Shade.
#TOP 8

Lincolnshire Pond Plants Ltd - Anemone Blanda Blue Shades Plant Bulb x10

Anemone Blue Shades
Lincolnshire Pond Plants Ltd - Anemone Blanda Blue Shades Plant Bulb x10 Cover
Lincolnshire Pond Plants Ltd - Anemone Blanda Blue Shades Plant Bulb x10

Features
Max Spread: 40 - 50 Cm (16 - 20 Inches)
Max Height: 40 - 50 Cm (16 - 20 Inches)
Winter Hardy
Light Requirements: Prefers Full Sun To Partial Shade
Blooming Months: March - May
#TOP 9

20x Muscari Armeniacum Blue Grape Hyacinth Bulbs

20x Muscari Armeniacum Blue Grape Hyacinth Bulbs Cover
20x Muscari Armeniacum Blue Grape Hyacinth Bulbs Beautiful Garden Patio Balcony Early Spring Flowers Bulbs Ready for Planting Now

The Oliwier's Bulbs Grape Hyacinth features stunning blue flowers resembling tiny bunches of grapes, perfect for brightening your garden in spring. These bulbs are easy to grow and thrive well in sunny spots, making them ideal for beginners. Planting them in autumn ensures a colourful display when they bloom. With a height of 20cm, they can beautifully complement tulips or crocus, creating a delightful floral arrangement. Additionally, they are hardy to frost and require minimal maintenance, providing you with a hassle-free gardening experience.

What We Like
Beautiful spring blooms
Easy to grow
Hardy to frost
Minimal maintenance required
#TOP 10

20x Scilla Bifolia Early Spring Flowering Bulbs Autumn Planting Hardy Woodland Perennial Naturalising Blue Flowers

20x Scilla Bifolia Early Spring Flowering Bulbs Autumn Planting Hardy Woodland Perennial Naturalising Blue Flowers Cover
20x Scilla Bifolia Early Spring Flowering Bulbs Autumn Planting Hardy Woodland Perennial Naturalising Blue Flowers for Shade Borders Rock Gardens

Features
Early Spring Flowering Bulbs: One Of The First Spring Bulbs To Bloom, Often Appearing Through Late Winter Snow. Ideal For Extending The Garden Season. Scilla Bifolia Supports Early-Season Pollinators Such As Bees By Offering Nectar And Pollen When Few Other Flowers Are In Bloom.
Bright Blue Star-Shaped Blooms: Scilla Bifolia Produces Brilliant True Blue Flowers In Late Winter To Early Spring, Offering A Striking Display When Little Else Is In Bloom.
Perfect For Naturalising: Scilla Grows To 4 To 6 Inches (10 To 15 Cm). This Low-Growing Habit Makes It Ideal For Naturalising In Lawns, Woodland Gardens, Rockeries, And Underplanting Shrubs Or Trees. Forms Low-Growing Carpets Of Blue Over Time. Great For Woodland Gardens, Lawns, Under Trees, And Shaded Borders. Scilla Bifolia Supports Early-Season Pollinators Such As Bees By Offering Nectar And Pollen When Few Other Flowers Are In Bloom.
Easy To Grow – Autumn Planting: Plant 2–3 Inches Deep And 2–4 Inches Apart In Fall. Suitable For Full Sun To Partial Shade. Requires Minimal Maintenance Once Established.
Cold Hardy And Deer Resistant: Fully Hardy In USDA Zones 3–8 And Naturally Resistant To Deer And Rabbits. Thrives In Well-Drained, Moist Soils.
Buying Guide Image

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. Can bulbs grow in full shade?

Shady areas of the garden can often present a challenge to gardeners, but you may be surprised to know that many bulbs will happily grow in part or full shade.

2. What do you think would happen if you put a shade plant in full sunlight?

Growing shade plants in the sun can result in scorched leaves and poor growth. If not corrected, this can lead to loss of the plant.

3. Do bulb plants need full sun?

Blooms in the spring or summer. Most bulbs thrive in full sun (six hours or more of direct sunlight a day) and tolerate partial shade.

4. Does shade count as sunlight?

Light shade can be defined as receiving between three and five hours of direct sun in the summer. Light shade may be the best growing conditions in our brutal summers here. These locations are sunny enough that many sun loving plants will grow while many shady lovers can still make it.

Editor's Notes

During our full shade plant bulb research, we found 123 full shade plant bulb products and shortlisted 10 quality products. We collected and analyzed 6,825 customer reviews through our big data system to write the full shade plant bulbs list. We found that most customers choose full shade plant bulbs with an average price of £5.62.

The full shade plant bulbs are available for purchase. We have researched hundreds of brands and picked the top brands of full shade plant bulbs, including Oliwier's Bulbs, Lincolnshire Pond Plants Ltd.

Written by
Toby Butcher Avatar

Toby Butcher is a Horticulturist, and he earned his title as a Master Gardener in 2016. Toby has acquired a 25-year experience as a home gardener planting, designing, grooming vegetables and flowers. He is the leader of a plant group in Durham. Toby owns a blog where he publishes articles on growing and growing your flowers at home, in a vase, or in a garden.