Spring-Flowering Bulbs With Purpose
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| Photo Credit: Donna W. Moramarco |
| The large purple globes of giant Allium also make great cutflowers. |
What words come to mind when you think about spring-flowering bulbs? For me, words like “earliest-blooming,” “smallest,” “biggest,” “ugliest ones to plant” and “friendliest” come to mind. I just love how those small, brown, sometimes twisted corms, tubers and bulbs turn into something beautiful! If you love bulbs like me, consider this fun and practical list of top spring-flowering bulbs to add to your garden this fall. But you better get a move on – bulbs need to be planted six weeks before the ground freezes!
- Smallest flowers – Galanthus elwesii (snowdrops) produce small, but plentiful fragrant, bell-shaped flowers in the garden in late winter.
- Largest flowers – Allium giganteum (giant onion) produce big heads of fluffy, purple flowers on strong stems. Locate these in the rear of flower borders and let them put on a show of color. (Another plus – flowers can be dried for arranging.)
- Most fragrant – Hyacinthus (hyacinth) is grown for its bountiful fragrance. Plant hyacinths near a path or window so you can become intoxicated by their fragrance.
| Add Photo to Journal |  | | Photo Credit: Donna W. Moramarco | | From a dried-up, shriveled corm a beautiful flower grows. |
- Ugliest – Anemone blanda (Grecian windflower) is the hands-down ugliest thing to plant. Soak the dried, shriveled corms overnight before planting, then watch as this ugly duckling transforms into a beautiful swan during spring bloom.
- Earliest bloomer – Crocus (crocus) can often be found poking their delicate flowers through a light dusting of snow in early spring. Try Crocus ‘Remembrance’ for an early jump on spring color.
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| Tips |
- Soak anemone corms overnight in warm water before you plant. This will make it easier to figure out the top versus the bottom when it comes to planting.
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| Facts |
- Daffodils are safe from deer, but tulips aren’t. Take this into consideration if Bambi is a problem in your neck of the woods.
- Daffodils and crocuses are great for naturalizing!
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| Definitions |
- Naturalize: When describing daffodils, the underground bulbs multiply year after year, forming larger flowering clumps.
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Better Bulbs
Setting appropriate goals and buying the bulbs that are right for your growing conditions will make the job of gardening with bulbs a simple and enjoyable passion.
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Tubs of Fun With Spring-Flowering Bulbs
Bulbs can be used just about anywhere, so don’t just sink them into the soil. Try layering your spring bloomers in a whiskey barrel or wheel barrow or milk crate. Their colorful spring blossoms will pop in just about any container you plant them in!
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Have a ‘Tete-a-Tete’
Of the many kinds of daffodils to grace our gardens, Narcissus ‘Tete-a-Tete’ is one of the best. Learn more about this attractive, early flowering miniature.
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