Bulbs
Fall is the time to plant bulb that blossom the following spring . There ’s a sure leap of faith in planting something that wo n’t come out of the ground for many month , but the expectation of the first spring flowers helps stave off the winter blue .
There ’s a wide choice of flower lightbulb to establish in crepuscule , from midget Anemone quinquefolia to imposing Allium . These bulbs can be plant in beds , borderline , container , or naturalized in woodland or native area . Here are some of the best natural spring flowering bulbs and how to worry for them .
On this page : fountain Bulbs|Tips for Buying , Planting , and Growing Spring Bulbs
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SPRING BULBS
photograph by : Janet Loughrey
TULIP (Tulipaspp.)
Zones:3 - 8Exposure : Full sunBloom time : SpringHeight / Spread : Upright habit ; 3 to 24 in tall , 3 to 6 inches wideUses : Plant tulip incandescent lamp in beds , borders , containers , along pathway and groundwork . make a safe cut flower .
Tulips are one of the most recognized outflow blooming flowers , with cupful - forge heyday in about every color except true bluing . There are 100 species and yard of cultivar , from gnome shape to stately Darwin cross . This versatile bulb blend well with other spring blooming medulla oblongata , early perennials and yearly . mickle in chemical group of 6 to 12 for the good effect .
Learn tulip .
DAFFODIL (Narcissusspp.)
Zones:3 - 9Exposure : Full sun to partial shadeBloom time : Late wintertime to springHeight / Spread : Upright habit ; 4 to 24 inches tall , 2 to 3 column inch wide , with clumps reaching up to 18 inches across . Uses : plant life in mixed mete , rock’n’roll gardens , or container ; naturalize in a woodland setting or natural area .
The upbeat trumpet - shaped flowers of daffodil are a certain preindication of outpouring . There are C of varieties in a wide-cut array of size and phase , with colors of yellow , blank , orangish , blab , and bicolors . These honest hardy bulbs are easy to produce and long - lived , providing many geezerhood of springtime coloring material in the landscape .
see Narcissus pseudonarcissus .
HYACINTH (Hyacinthus orientalis)
Zones:4 - 8Exposure : Full Sunday to partial shade . efflorescence meter : SpringHeight / Spread : good habit ; 6 to 12 column inch tall , 3 to 4 inches wideUses : Mass in borders and beds , produce in containers , force indoors in a bulb vase .
Hyacinth is one of the most intensely fragrant fountain electric-light bulb , with spiky clusters of star - shaped bloom . Blooms come in a rainbow of colors including blue , majestic , red , pink , orangish , coral , icteric , and ashen . This easy care bulb combines well with other spring electric-light bulb that bloom at the same clip , such as Narcissus pseudonarcissus and other tulips . Plant where the sweet bouquet can be enjoyed up close .
Learn hyacinth bloom .
exposure by : Hong Vo / Shutterstock
PERSIAN BUTTERCUP (Ranunculus asiaticus)
Zones:8 - 11Exposure : Full sunBloom meter : SpringHeight / Spread : upright piano spread habit ; 12 to 24 inches tall 4 to 6 in wideUses : Plant in a lancinating garden , seam , sundry border or container with upright drain .
This coolheaded - conditions industrial plant is grown for the delicate ruffly flower that are popular in flowered arrangements and marriage bouquet . rose wine - like blooms occur in a all-inclusive range of mountains of pastel or hot colors on sturdy stems , and are long - lasting as a cut efflorescence . In colder zone , bulbs can be overwintered indoors in a coolheaded dry seat and imbed outdoors in spring .
Learn ranunculus flowers .
Iris hollandica’Blue Magic ' . pic by : pjhpix / Shutterstock
IRIS (Irisspp.)
Zones:3 - 9Exposure : Full sunshine to fond shadeBloom time : Spring to fall , depending on varietyHeight / Spread : vertical circulate habit ; 4 to 48 inch marvellous , 3 to 24 inches wideUses : Mass in beds , industrial plant in mixed borders . Dwarf types can be plant in troughs or containers .
One of the most dear leaping bloomers is the refined bearded iris ( Iris germanica ) , with flower in nearly every color and pattern conceivable . There are many other iris species as well , from other leaping flower dwarf flag ( I. reticulata ) to courtly Nipponese flag ( I. ensata ) , which flowers in summertime . Some irises rebloom in former summertime or fall . Plants farm from rootstalk or bulbs .
Learn iris .
CROCUS (Crocusspp.)
Zones:3 - 8Exposure : Full sun to fond shadeBloom time : Most varieties bloom in bound , though some bloom in fallHeight / Spread : good colonize drug abuse ; 3 to 6 inches magniloquent , 2 to 4 inch wideUses : Mass along a pathway or at the front of a border , flora in container , naturalize in a woodland gear up or underneath trees and shrub .
The adorable efflorescence of crocus are one of the most highly anticipated sights in the former spring garden . This reliable perennial grown from small corm fly high in most zones and is well-situated to grow , even for beginner gardener . Upright tubular flowers come in in tint of lily-white , pink , purple , profane , yellow , orangish , bicolors , and shape .
find out crocus .
ALLIUM (Alliumspp.)
Zones:4 - 10Exposure : Full sunBloom time : Spring , with some change flower in summerHeight / Spread : Upright habit ; 6 to 48 inches tall , 3 to 10 inch wideUses : industrial plant in borders , rock’n’roll gardens , or containers to tot pinnacle and architectural interest . genus Allium are utilitarian for filling in gap and as long endure cut flower .
Ornamental Allium , which are related to their edible cousin , are grown for the attractive blooms . Spherical flower heads 1 to 12 inch across are comprised of tiny star - mold florets that are highly attractive to bees and other insect pollinators . bloom come in shades of purple , pink , blue , yellow , or white .
Learn Allium .
Cyclamen coum . Photo by : Janet Loughrey
CYCLAMEN (Cyclamenspp.)
Zones:4 - 9Exposure : Partial to full shadeBloom time : strike to springHeight / bedcover : Upright mounding or spreading drug abuse ; 2 to 6 inches tall , 4 to 12 inches wideUses : Naturalize in a timber context ; plant in a rock garden or container ; combine with other former give industrial plant such aswitch hazel , hellebores , andsnowdrops .
This lilliputian plant grown from tubers get down growing in fall , going dormant during quick summer calendar month . gently sweet-scented flowers have elegant upswept petals in shades of white-hot , pink or purple that complement the elaborately patterned foliage . mintage such as Iranian reddish blue ( Cyclamen coum , picture ) and alpine cyclamen ( C. alpinum ) bloom from late winter into spring , adding early time of year color to the landscape painting .
Learn cyclamen .
Photo by : Kevin Cupp / Shutterstock
FREESIA (Freesiaspp.)
Zones:9 - 10Exposure : Full Sunday to partial shadeBloom time : Spring and summerHeight / Spread : good habit ; 12 to 24 column inch tall , 3 to 6 inches wideUses : produce in a garden bed , greenhouse or containers for cut bloom .
sweet perfumed clusters of tubular flowers in a range of colors are borne on long slender stems . This pop carving flower is commonly used in wedding party bouquet and flowered organization . In frost - free regions , corms can be imbed in the terra firma in decline for spring color . In colder field , they can be grown in a greenhouse for winter flowers or establish out of doors in spring for summer blooming bloom .
larn freesia .
SNOWDROPS (Galanthusspp.)
Zones:3 - 8Exposure : Full sunlight to partial shadeBloom time : Early springHeight / Spread : vertical spreading habit ; 4 to 12 inches tall , 3 to 6 inch wideUses : Naturalize in a timberland circumstance , rock gardens , along pathways , and underneath deciduous tree and shrub .
Snowdrops are among the first spring bulbs to flower , and are named for their appearance in February and March when snow is still on the reason . petite bell - shaped flowers borne singularly on slender stems are white , some with dark-green mark . Common snowdrops ( Galanthus nivalis ) are grown most often . Bulbs can be short - lived in zone higher than 7 . Plant in drift for the best force .
Learn snowdrops .
GRAPE HYACINTH (Muscari armeniacum)
Zones:4 - 8Exposure : Full Lord’s Day to fond shadeBloom time : Mid - springHeight / spreading : vertical spread habit ; 6 to 9 inch grandiloquent , 3 to 6 inches wideUses : domesticate in beds and borders , rock garden , or woodland setting ; mass along a footpath or slope ; plant in troughs or containers ; force for winter bloom .
Grape hyacinth is named for the diminutive clump of fragrant flowers that resemble grape . The deep blue flower coloring is highly in demand , complementing many other spring flower bulbs such as daffodils and tulips . OtherMuscarispecies come in shade of white , pink lavender , or yellow . Mass bulbs in groups of 25 or more for the best effect . Easy to grow , fearless , and true .
see more about growinggrape hyacinth .
exposure by : Nature energy / Shutterstock
SIBERIAN SQUILL (Scilla siberica)
Zones:2 - 8Exposure : Full sun to fond shadeBloom time : Early springHeight / banquet : Upright scatter drug abuse ; 3 to 6 in marvelous and wideUses : Naturalize in open woodlands , or underneath deciduous tree and bush . Use as a groundcover or flux with other early bulbs such as daffodils and metal money tulip .
This exceptionally hardy bulb , native to Siberia , Russia , and Eurasia , is one of the first to bloom in early spring . smart as a whip blue Alexander Melville Bell - mold flowers grow singularly on slender stems above the weed - like leaf . Bulbs multiply and naturalize apace , and plants may also self sow . ‘ Alba ’ is a white bloom variety . Federal Reserve note : Siberian sea onion has been note as beinginvasivein sealed areas ( see where ) .
FRITILLARIA (Fritillariaspp.)
Zones:3 - 9Exposure : Full Lord’s Day to partial shadeBloom prison term : SpringHeight / Spread : vertical spreading habit ; 12 to 24 inch tall , 8 to 24 inch wideUses : cultivate in woodland garden , rock garden , and mixed borders ; works in troughs or containers .
The drooping bell shape - mold flowers ofFritillariaadd a unique touch to the outflow garden . There are more than 100 metal money , ranging from the bantam Michael ’s bloom ( Fritillaria michailovskyi ) to the bold erect suffer of peak imperial ( F. imperialis , pictured ) . Flowers take place in colors of white , chickenhearted , chocolate , orangish , crimson , and over-embellished , some with patterns or bicolors . This underutilized bulb merit wider employment in the landscape painting .
ascertain more about growingfritillaria .
SPANISH BLUEBELLS (Hyacinthoides hispanica)
Zones:3 - 8Exposure : Full sun to fond shadeBloom time : Mid - springHeight / Spread : Upright spreading habit ; 8 to 18 inch tall , 8 to 12 inch wideUses : naturalise in woodland preferences , beds and border , underneath deciduous trees and bush .
Spanish bluebells are specially adorable in open timber configurations , with clustering of bell - shaped flowers on robust stem skirt by lush , strappy leaf . The most unwashed shape are vivid down , though other coloring material include ashen and pink . Plants breed , domesticate , and self - sow vigorously , becominginvasivein some realm ( see where ) . Tolerant of varying dirt and faint atmospheric condition .
WINTER ACONITE (Eranthis hyemalis)
Zones:4 - 7Exposure : Full sunlight to fond shadeBloom clock time : belated winter to other springHeight / Spread : Low spreading drug abuse ; 3 to 6 inches tall and wideUses : industrial plant underneath winter blooming shrubs such as witch hazelnut tree or viburnum . Naturalize in forest configurations , border , rock garden , and lawn .
This early flower ground cover burst from the ground in late winter or early fountain , even before the first crocus . Cheerful yellowish goldcup - like flowers are fence by a collar of divided leaf bract , with sullen green foliage emerging after the flowers fade . wintertime aconite spread promptly , flux well with other early bloomers such as snowdrop , metal money crocus , and hellebores . Mass in the landscape for the greatest impact .
GLORY OF THE SNOW (Chionodoxaspp.)
Zones:3 - 8Exposure : Full sun to fond shadeBloom clock time : Early springHeight / Spread : Low circulate habit ; 3 to 10 inches improbable and 1 to 6 inches wideUses : aggregative underneath trees and shrubs , in a forest or tilt garden . Choose a bit where the little prime can be appreciate up near .
Glory of the snow is one of the earliest bulbs to flower and is list for its ability to poke out from underneath the cover of snowfall . clump of star shaped upward - facing peak come in colour of blue , pink , or white . flora are exceptionally hardy , naturalise readily , and can be maturate in most region .
SUMMER SNOWFLAKE (Leucojum aestivum)
Zones:4 - 8Exposure : Full sun to partial shadeBloom time : Mid - springHeight / banquet : Upright wont ; 12 to 24 inches improbable , 2 to 3 column inch wide-eyed , with chunk reaching 8 to 12 inches wideUses : Naturalize in woodland gardens , mixed perimeter , and along streamsides and pool .
Charming Vanessa Bell - shaped bloom turn on formal stem above grass - like foliage . Flower petal are white with dark-green blemish tips . obstinate to the vulgar name , this bulb flush in spring , go abeyant in summer . ‘ Gravetye Giant ’ is a vernacular miscellany with gravid bloom . Mass in group of at least 6 to 12 for the greatest impact . Clumps will multiply and naturalize .
ANEMONE (Anemonespp.)
Zones:5 - 10 , depending on typeExposure : Full sunshine to partial shadeBloom prison term : SpringHeight / Spread : upright piano spread riding habit ; 4 to 14 inch tall , 4 to 9 inches wideUses : Naturalize in forest or natural site , in open region or underneath deciduous trees and bush .
windflower is an herbaceous perennial or bulb that blossom in different seasons , calculate on the mintage . Poppy anemone ( Anemone coronaria , pictured ) is a spring bloomer grown from bulbs , hardy in zones 7 - 10 . Poppy - like flower occur in colors of red , empurpled , blue , or white . Hellenic windflower ( A. blanda ) , a spring blooming groundcover grown from rhizomes , is stalwart in zones 5 - 8 . Daisy - similar flowers are purple , blue , pink , or white .
Learn different type of sea anemone .
CAMAS LILY (Camassiaspp.)
Zones:9 - 11Exposure : Full sun to fond shadeBloom time : Mid - springiness to former summerHeight / Spread : upright piano open use ; 1 to 4 feet tall , 1 to 2 feet wideUses : domesticate in meadows or overt forest ; plant in mixed margin .
The refined blossom spike of camas lily produce clusters of star - form flowers in colors of blue , purple , or livid . A member of the lily family , the bulbs of this North American native were an authoritative food reservoir for indigenous tribes and other explorers . Bulbs are cold hardy , long - live , and cultivate well . Mass in drift for the capital encroachment .
SICILIAN HONEY GARLIC (Nectaroscordum siculum)
Zones:4 - 8Exposure : Full sun to partial shadeBloom time : tardy springHeight / Spread : Upright use ; 32 to 38 inches tall and 3 to 6 inches wideUses : flora in beds , edge , or bungalow gardens ; combine with other springiness blooming bulbs or perennial .
Also known as Mediterranean bells , thisAlliumrelative produces clusters of bell - shape flowers on arching stems that resemble pyrotechnic . Flowers are a softened purple - pink tinct with greenish . plant have a strong garlic scent when bruised , hence the common name . This long - hold up recurrent bulb is true , depleted maintenance , and disease - free . Mass in groups of 5 to 7 for the dependable visual impact .
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BUYING, PLANTING, AND GROWING SPRING FLOWERING BULBS
When to buy spring blooming bulbs:
Bulbs are available for sales event through online sources and garden centers from late summer to mid fall . Buy early for the best selection . Garden centers express potted lightbulb in springtime , though selection is circumscribed .
How to choose good bulbs:
Choose bulbs that are large and firm . Avoid bulbs that are sentimental , moldy , withered , or break .
When to plant spring bulbs:
In cold climate ( USDA Zones 1 - 4 ) , plant bulbs in September or October before the first hard frost . For warmer regions ( Zones 5 - 8) , wait until the atmospheric condition has cool off to engraft in October or early November . In zone 9 - 11 , care for electric-light bulb as annual . Pre - chill bulb for 12 to 16 weeks and works in outflow .
Where to plant spring bulbs:
prefer a site that has the proper condition for each smorgasbord , conduct into retainer light , temperature , and filth .
How to plant spring bulbs:
Fertilizing spring bulbs:
At the fourth dimension of planting , apply a slow - releasegranular fertiliser contrive for bulbsaccording to box book of instructions . This will aid roots become establish before winter solidification in . Reapply annually on the airfoil of the soil around works when they begin showing leap growth .
Watering spring bulbs:
Water deep after planting and again before the ground freezes . When bulbs first show ontogenesis in spring , summarize watering once a week or so if there has n’t been measurable pelting . Avoid overwatering to prevent bulb putrefaction . Bulbs implant in container dry out out more quickly , so will need to be irrigate more often . Keep soil moist until bulbs die back completely .
Care after blooming:
When plants are land up flowering , allow the foliage to die back naturally , which allows zip to be lay in in the medulla oblongata for the next class ’s growing . Plant light bulb alongside perennials such ashostathat will grow up to blot out the unsightly bulb leaf . Clean up spent foliage once it ’s become completely dark-brown .
Dividing:
Bulbs may become overcrowded , which can conquer efflorescence . Divide every few twelvemonth as needed . Once bulbs go inactive , they can be dug up , divided and replanted with proper spacing .
