10 Underused Extraordinary Small Spring-Flowering Bulbs
It’s time…
Yup, definitely time…
IT IS BULB TIME!! What? Bulb time?
Spring flowering bulbs and Fall Planting? Tell me more
It is time to order and plant bulbs for spring blooms.
This is one of my favorite gardening times of the year – fall planting of spring flowering bulbs. The time to dream, plan and order bulbs to plant in the next few weeks. So that in the spring our gardens and yards will be full of flowers.
Most of the well-known bulbs are tulips, daffodils and hyacinths which are beautiful and have a place in the garden are what is planted in the fall. But there are varieties of spring-blooming bulbs that need a little more attention. These bulbs are often called ‘minor spring bulbs’. I just call them necessary beautiful blooms in any garden.
What is a minor flowering bulb?
HGTV Gardens website states, “Daffodils, hyacinths, and tulips usually steal the spotlight in spring gardens. But there are other, lesser-known bulbs–the so-called minor or semiprecious bulbs and tubers—that also put on quite a show. These smaller bulbs are eye-catching and colorful, and many have delightful fragrances.’
I’m going to talk about the minor bulbs that are easy to grow, multiply over the years and often bloom before anything else in the garden. *Term to know ‘Naturalize’ meaning they spread and come back year after year. They are a sign that spring is on the way.
So what are a few minor bulbs?
Galanthus, also called Snowdrop, has small, white bell shaped flowers. They grow as small as four inches and as tall as ten (these bloom later in the spring). The wonderful small flowers often bloom while snow is on the ground. Be sure to plant these where you can easily see them. They like to appear before you expect them.
Crocus varieties start blooming early in the spring with Snow Crocus to later with Giant Dutch Crocus both being 2-4 inches tall. They are beautifully when planted in a lawn where they will spread and create a carpet.
The Chionodoxa, often called Glory of the Snow, boasts sky blue flowers with white center, and stands no taller than six inches. Another beauty to plant in groups to create carpets of early spring color. Naturalizes gracefully over the years.
Muscari, Grape Hyacinth as my Grandmother called them, blossoms in early to mid April, with fresh little blue and white blossoms. Interesting little bluebells that naturalize. Cut these blooms for small vases scattered along the table to bring spring indoors. I share more stories of my Grandmother’s garden in Gardening Recollections.
I am adding in species Tulips. These are an under-used flower in my opinion. They are beautiful in rock gardens or along the edge of a flower garden. These tulips are among the naturalizing bulbs unlike the popular hybrid tulips.
Other minor bulbs worth mentioning include:
Alliums, which sport tiny flowers massed into a ball are often called ornamental onions. These small flowers also have a sibling that is a glorious large show stopper.
Eranthis, also called Winter Aconite, has brilliant yellow flowers, bursting out of 3 to 4 inch stems. The Eranthis blooms as early as January.
Scilla, known for its deep blue blossoms, which grow as many as six flowers to a stem, blooms in early March. Sometimes known as Siberian squill or wood squill.
Anemones, Grecian WIndflowers, are small daisy-like flowers that catch the eye. These beauties grow around 5 inches tall.
Fritillaries are drooping, cup-shaped taller flowers, and are interesting so be sure to plant where you can admire them in bloom. Which also has a sibling that is a glorious show stopper.
Planting and care of these flowering bulbs:
Minor bulbs should be planted in holes two to three times as deep as their size. Which normally means shallow, just a few inches deep. Loosen the soil at bottom then a fertilizer mixed into the soil is how to prepare for planting. Use a specific fertilizer for bulbs – I learned the hard way of using what I had on hand. The fertilizer I used had too much nitrogen and the bulbs failed to bloom. Next plant the bulbs firmly with pointed end-up. Don’t worry they can plant them anytime in the fall, it is best to do it soon after the bulbs arrive in the mail. And be sure to do it before the ground freezes, after a frost is okay. In the spring, the foliage should be allowed to die naturally when the blooming period is over.
For a beautiful long-blooming spring carpet, dig a trench, prepare soil as mentioned above, throw in a mix of the flowers discussed then cover in soil. If you are looking for more inspiration I have a Pinterest board on Bulbs in the Garden you can check out.
Now pick one of these or all of these to try in your garden. They may be little in size but they are mighty in pleasure as a herald to spring in the garden. On another note, growing bulbs indoors is a class I offer. Sign up for my weekly newsletter to know when the class is offered next.
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