Use Spring Bulbs For Early Garden Color

Tulips, daffodils and crocus are the most widely known spring bulbs. You can hardly go wrong with planting those three, but there are many more you can try.

This purple flower is an allium. Allium belongs in the onion family which scared me a little at first, but this bulb behaves and looks great when it blooms. I had been fighting wild onions for a long time in my garden, so any plants in the onion family were banished that is until I saw one in bloom at a neighbors house.

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When To Plant Bulbs For Spring Flowers

September and October are generally the best times to plant spring flowering bulbs. The planting season can be extended into November if the weather is warm enough.

I'll confess that there have been bulbs that I've planted in early February rather than in the fall, but only because a friend gave them to me after she didn't get them planted in time. The garden bulbs did fine but still it is best to plant them as soon as you get them in the fall.

Where To Plant Spring Bulbs

The great thing about early spring flowering bulbs is that they typically bloom before trees start to leaf out. You'll be able to plant them in almost any spot in your yard.

Mid and late blooming bulbs should be placed in the conditions they require. If the bulb is a shade loving one, you'll need to tuck it into a shady spot.

Early Spring Flowering Bulbs

Wind Anemone (Anemone blanda)
Snowdrops (Galanthus)
Crocus
Winter Aconite (Eranthis)
Species Tulips (Tulipa)
Siberian Squill (Scilla sibirica)
Hyacinths (Hyacinthus)
Dwarf Iris (Iris reticulata)

Mid Spring Blooming Bulbs

Daffodils (Narcissus)
Hybrid Tulips (Tulipa)
Crown Imperial (Fritillaria imperialis)
Summer Snowflake (Leucojum)
Grape Hyacinths (Muscari)

Late Spring Bloooming Bulbs

Spanish Bluebells (Scilla hispanica)
Daffodils (Narcissus)
Giant Allium (Allium giganteum)
Dutch Iris (Iris x hollandica)
Hybrid Tulips (Tulipa)

Do Deer Browse Your Yard

Deer love to eat fresh new foliage, if you have problems with deer in your yard you might want to read about deer resistant spring bulbs and deer resistant plants.

More About Bulbs

Bulb Care
Bulb Food
Flower Bulbs
Summer Bulbs
Fall Bulbs
Storing Bulbs
Buying Flower Bulbs
Planting Bulbs
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