During the summer months, the spring-flowering bulb such as tulips, narcissi, etc. are lifted by the growers and delivered to the dealers. Export takes place from September to December.

Of all the bulbous plants, the tulip is the most important. Tulips have been extremely popular as cut flowers and garden plants for many centuries. In 2002, about 10,000 hectares were used for tulip bulb production. The tulip accounts for one-third of the total export value for bulbs. The number of varieties being cultivated is also huge. There are more than 3000 varieties registered, while the number being cultivated on a commercial basis is not more than 100. Tulips are classified into various groups based on their flowering period and shape. Some examples are single, double, fringed, lily-flowered and parrot tulips. There are also tulip groups for botanical tulips and their related varieties. For flower bulb production, the tulip is planted in the autumn and lifted in the summer.

The narcissus is in third place of the most cultivated bulbous plants and is grown on a total area of 1800 hectares. The narcissus has always been a highly favoured bulbous plant and has earned a permanent place in the flower bulb sector. Still commonly cultivated are the trumpet and large-cupped narcissi, although there are many, many other interesting kinds of narcissi (or daffodils). In total, there are about 2000 registered varieties! Even so, only about fifty are commonly available. The colour for narcissi is predominantly yellow, but white, pink and orange occur, too. They are used for both planting in the garden or park and for cut flower production. Among the smaller narcissi, the cultivar known as  Tête-à-Tête is very popular and with about 440 hectares in cultivation has even become the leading cultivar. The majority of these bulbs are used for forcing in small pots. For flower bulb production, narcissus bulbs are planted in the autumn and lifted in the summer.

As one of the bulbous plants cultivated almost exclusively in the Netherlands, the hyacinth is another bulb with a long tradition in the flower bulb sector and has always been a favourite for forcing in pots during the winter months. During the last 20 years, hyacinths have also been used as cut flowers. And planting them in gardens and parks has been done for centuries. Of all the bulbous plants, the hyacinth is most cherished for its fragrance. Its colours are predominantly pastel: pink, light blue, soft red, white, light yellow and light orange, but brighter colours such as purple and violet are available as well. The land under cultivation with hyacinths has gradually increased to the present 1100 hectares. For flower bulb production, hyacinth bulbs are planted in the autumn and lifted in the summer.

Bulbous iris rather than rhizomatous types are probably best known for their unique flower shape comprised of their standards and falls. Of approximately 700 hectares devoted to their cultivation, by far the most of these varieties are blue. Nevertheless, there are also extremely lovely white, yellow and bicolour varieties. Iris are most used for the year-round production of cut flowers. This is done in the field under warmer conditions and otherwise in greenhouses. In the Netherlands, flower bulb growers plant their bulbs in the autumn. Lifting takes place in the summer.

Of all the bulbous plants, this very early spring-flowering corm perhaps gives us the strongest feeling of springtime. With the first rays of sunshine, they stand wide open! Except for a modest number used in forcing pot plants, millions of these corms are used in parks and gardens. Cultivation has fluctuated around 650 hectares in recent years. As most people know, the colours for the crocus are blue, purple, white and yellow. In addition to the most commonly cultivated large-flowering crocuses, there are also small-flowering varieties. And some crocus flower in the autumn. For production purposes, the corms are planted before winter and then lifted early in the summer.