The Best Bulbs for Early Spring Color

 
You’ll see them in early spring, often blooming through the snow. Brightly colored crocus flowers are a sure sign that spring is on its way. Crocus blooms are soon followed in succession by other small bulbs (called minor bulbs) including grape hyacinths and Scilla, then the major bulbs including daffodils, tulips and hyacinths.  

These are hardy bulbs, meaning they will survive our winters and bloom season after season, with just a little care. As a rule, plant bulbs two to three times their height. A two-inch bulb should be buried five to six inches deep. It is possible to influence the bloom time by varying the depth you plant each bulb. Shallow planted bulbs will bloom earlier; deeper bulbs will bloom later in the season. The risk with planting too shallow is the bulb may not survive the winter. Another trick to control bloom time is to add two or three inches of mulch to the bed. This will keep the ground cold and slow bloom time. All bulbs will do best when planted in well-amended soil, in a sunny spot in the garden. Once planted, bulbs will root out, and then stay dormant until the soil warms up in spring. Adding Bone Meal or Dutch Bulb Food at planting time will improve rooting and bulb growth. 

Now’s a good time to purchase bulbs, while there’s a good selection. Wait until after October 1 to plant your bulbs. Crocus “bulbs” are technically corms. They are solid inside like a potato and they have a papery outer covering which is called a tunic. One side is flatter than the other. The flat side goes down, when you plant them. 

Muscari, known as grape hyacinths, are hardy spring bloomers that produce blue or purple flowers that look like bunches of grapes, hence the common name. They will do well in sun or semi-shade and spread naturally. Scilla Siberica  and Scilla Siberica Alba are also good choices for adding early spring color to your garden. . 

For best effect, minor bulbs should be planted in clusters, not lined out in rows.  Check on your bulbs through the winter. They should be watered every four to five weeks, along with the rest of the trees and shrubs in your landscape.