Find out the best time and how deep to plant each pop in of bulb.
After a long, cold winter, thefirst spring flowers are something to celebrate.
Tulips, daffodils, and hyacinths are among the cheeriest plants to pop up in gardens.
Credit: Justin Hancock
Besides their season of bloom, these plants have one thing in common: they grow from bulbs.
After they get enough time in cold temperatures, they’ll start growing leaves and flowers.
Check out these 13 best spring-blooming bulbs and find out how and when to plant them.
Credit: Justin Hancock
In other words, the best time forplanting spring-blooming bulbsdepends on where you live more than your datebook.
In general, aim for about four to six weeks beforeyour area’s expected first fall frost.
And unlike many other types of irises, their purple, blue, or white flowers grow from bulbs.
Credit: Kritsada Panichgul
Plant the bulbs 4 inches deep and 3 inches apart in the fall when temperatures are between 40-50F.
Reticulated irises do best inHardiness Zones 5-9. are agarden staple for spring color.
Many experts say deeper planting helps the bulbs produce better flowers.
Credit: Matthew Benson
The bulbs have flattened bottoms; plant them pointy side up.
Gardeners in Zones 8-10 shouldplant tulip bulbsin late November or early December.
Daffodil
A cheery sign of spring,daffodils(Narcissusspp.)
Credit: Sandra Gerdes
are a welcome addition to any yard or garden.
Note: The pointy ends of the daffodil are called noses.
Daffodils will grow in Zones 3-8.
Credit: David Speer
The plant does this by releasing small bulb offsets (called bulbils) and self-sowing seeds in some cases.
Striped squill is a relatively short plant that grows 6-8 inches in height.
Plant on the outside edge of planters and gardens for easy visibility.
Credit: Justin Hancock
Technically, a crocus comes from a corm not a bulb, but they are treated similarly.
Plant the corms about 4 to 6 inches deep.
Crocuses can be grown successfully in Zones 3-8.
Credit: Peter Krumhardt
Glory-of-the-Snow
When these pastel-colored cuties bloom, snow may still be on the ground.
Hence the name,glory-of-the-snow(Chionodoxa luciliae).
These tiny flowers are hardy and thrive in Zones 3-8.
Credit: Kindra Clineff
Plant them in late fall when the soil temperature is between 40-50F.
Place each bulb 2-3 inches deep in the soil.
Glory-of-the-snow is also a naturalizing plant.
Credit: Mark Kane
Plant the bulbs once, and these flowers should come back year-after-year, while expanding its population.
Hyacinths
A late-spring garden delight,hyacinths(Hyacinthusspp.)
add cheery color and a sweet scent to any garden.
Credit: Jacob Fox
Blooms come in several hues including blue, red, white, yellow, and purple.
Hyacinth bulbs can irritate skin, so it’s best towear gloves when handling them.
They can also cause respiratory irritation; wear a mask while planting.
Credit: Peter Krumhardt
Star of Bethlehem
Another self-naturalizing plant, star-of-Bethlehem (Ornithogalumspp.)
is a European native but thrives in Zones 4-9.
In the fall, plant this bulb around 4 inches deep.
Credit: Peter Krumhardt
Because of its spreading tendencies, star-of-Bethlehem makes a pretty spring groundcover in woodland areas.
Star of Bethlehem is invasive in some parts of the country, so check before planting.
Allium
You wouldn’t guess these beauties areactuallyornamental onions.
Credit: Jacob Fox
Whilealliumsmay be a member of the onion family, they’re not for eating.
They only smell like onions if you crush the foliage.
There’s atremendous number of alliums available.
These garden stunners come in rich colors like white, purple, blue, pink, and yellow.
Some can produceblooms as large as a volleyball.
Small types grow from bulbs no bigger than your thumbnail; big bulbs can be larger than your fist.
Plant them from 2 to 12 inches deep depending on the size of the bulb.
Most alliums have a flat bottom and pointy top; plant them pointy side up.
Alliums do best in Zones 3-9.
This dainty flower makes the perfect garden addition with its subtle sweet fragrance.
Summer snowflake has bell shaped petals with small green dots at the end.
Bulbs should be planted 3-4 inches deep in soil and 4 inches apart to support healthy plants.
Summer snowflake is invasive in some parts of the country, so check before planting.
Crown Imperial
Give your garden the royal treatment withcrown imperial(Fritillaria imperialis).
Plant crown imperial bulbs about 8 inches deep.
Crown imperials have been nicknamed the “stink lily” for their pungent odor.
But, this skunky smellrepels deer and other pests that eat bulbs.
Anemone
This charming spring bloomer grows from little wrinkly tubers that look sort of like raisins.
Plant theseanemonesabout 4 to 5 inches deep on their sides.
For best results, soak the tubers in water for a couple of hours before planting.
Your Hardiness Zone determines what season it’s possible for you to plant anemone bulbs.
In Zone 7 and above, they can be planted in the fall.
Grape Hyacinth
Though the flowers somewhat resemble true hyacinths,grape hyacinth(Muscarispp.)
is tiny in comparison.
Like many true bulbs, grape hyacinths have pointy ends that you plant facing up.
Plant them about 4 to 6 inches deep.
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