Sun-Loving Bulbs that Bloom in Early Spring
Plant Now for Splashes of Color in Late Winter
Oct 11, 2008
Some of the sun-loving bulbs that bloom earliest in cold-winter climates are:
- Dwarf irises
- Snow crocuses
- Certain daffodils
- Spring-blooming colchicums
Dwarf Irises
Dwarf irises are beautiful and often fragrant plants that frequently bloom first of everything in the garden. Though not very common in North American gardens, they are hardy in much of the continent and easy to grow. They will bloom anywhere from February to early April depending on exactly how long your winter is. Some recommended dwarf irises are:
- Iris danfordiae: Bright yellow with darker spots, this iris is often the first flower to bloom in northern gardens.
- Iris bakerana: Sky blue with darker bluish-purple edging, it is a beautiful counterpoint to I. danfordiae.
- Iris histrioides: Usually available as cultivars instead of the species, I. histroides petals have blotching that contrasts with their primary color. The most common commercially available cultivars include blue-and-white veined 'Katharine Hodgkin,' purple 'George,' and medium blue 'Lady Beatrix Stanley.'
- Iris reticulata: Best-known of the dwarf irises, the species is pale purple with contrasting blotching, and there are many cultivars on the market. Popular cultivars include blue 'Cantab,' rich blue 'Harmony,' purple 'J.S. Dijt,' and white 'Natascha.'
Snow Crocuses
Snow crocuses are lovely and sometimes fragrant early bloomers, many providing nectar to pollinators on warm early spring days. The term “snow crocus” separates them from the later-blooming, larger-flowering Crocus vernus cultivars, often referred to as “Dutch hybrids.” Recommended snow crocuses include:
- Crocus ancyrensis ‘Golden Bunch’: Multiflowering in pale yellow.
- Crocus angustifolius: Often referred to as ‘cloth of gold crocus,’ its brilliant gold lights up the grey of late winter, as it has done in gardens since at least 1587.
- Crocus chrysanthus: This species has produced the largest number of cultivars. A few are ivory 'Snow Bunting'; pale yellow, lavender, and cream 'Advance'; purple-tinged 'Cream Beauty'; 'Ladykiller,' white with purple striping; 'Blue Pearl,' pale blue with an orange base; and 'Zwanenburg Bronze,' orange with purplish feathering.
- Crocus korolkowii: Deep yellow with variable bronze markings.
- Crocus laevigatus ‘Fontenayi’: Feathered in shades of purple, in milder climates it often blooms at Christmas.
- Crocus sieberi: Usually available as cultivars: ivory 'Bowles White'; bluish-purple, white, and gold 'Tricolor'; and lavender 'Firefly.'
- Crocus tommasinianus: “Tommies,” as they are often called, are popular because they are much more rodent-resistant than other crocuses. Some common cultivars are pinkish 'Roseus'; reddish-purple 'Whitewell Purple'; and 'Pictus,' with purple tips that fade to white along the length of the petal.
Certain Daffodils
Critter-resistant, daffodils can bloom anytime from late winter to late spring. Among the earliest to bloom are:
- 'February Gold': A yellow trumpet daffodil that reaches about 12”.
- 'Rijnveld’s Early Sensation': Subtly two-toned yellow, this trumpet daffodil reaches about 14”. In the mid-Atlantic US, it can bloom in January.
- Narcissus obvallaris: A golden trumpet daffodil that reaches about 9”. Known as the “Tenby daffodil” in England, this is the daffodil Shakespeare would have seen sold in bunches in late winter in London.
Spring-Blooming Colchicums
Less well known than the other earliest-blooming bulbs, spring-blooming colchicums are a gorgeous, critter-resistant addition to the early spring garden in USDA hardiness zones 6 and above. The most frequently available are:
- Colchicum hungaricum: Ivory or pink petals and a tulip-like shape.
- Colchicum kesselringii: White with a reddish-purple stripe on the outside of each petal.
- Colchicum szovitsii: The species varies from white to deep rose. 'Tivi' is pure white with a yellow center.
Location
When planting for the earliest spring bloom, it is important to consider location. If there is a spot in your garden where the snow thaws first, pick early-blooming bulbs that will be happy in its soil and light conditions, and they will likely be the very first things to bloom in your garden. In many gardens, this spot is a south-facing, well-drained patch that gets the most sun of anywhere in the garden, so oftentimes bulbs mentioned in this article are the best things to plant there.
For information on a related subject, see Angela England's article Perennial Plants for Cold Climates.
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