There’s nothing like walking through local trails or public gardens on a warm spring day and overlooking the masses of colour and catching the first scents of the garden.
The spring garden is the most highly anticipated one out of all the other seasons simply because it is the one that we look most forward to seeing after our long winters. The most common spring bulbs out there are tulips and daffodils which are fantastic but there are so many other varieties of bulbs that can extend your spring flower show. Here are the top five bulbs for spring, all of which are tough and easy to find at any garden centre in the fall. Please click the picture above for examples of each.
### 1) Winter Aconite
*Flower period:* Late March to Early April
*Attributes:* These bulbs are one of the first signs of spring and resemble a small yellow buttercups. They are very delicate, only 6-7cm tall, but don’t be fooled, they will add a burst of colour visible from afar. Since these bulbs are very small they should be planted on mass. They look most impactful in woodland gardens or along the front border of a garden.
### 2) Snowdrops
*Flower period:* Early to mid-April
*Attributes:* These bulbs have pure white flowers and add elegance to the garden. Snowdrops are about 6” tall and last for 2-3 weeks. Since these bulbs are very small they should be planted in groups of 8-10 to make a sizeable clump. They look most impactful in woodland gardens or naturalized in lawns.
### 3) Reticulated Iris
*Flower Period:* Mid to Late April
*Attributes:* This is an excellent bulb for those who want a splash of bright purple! These beauties are only 6” tall and can be used as a small cut flower. They are tolerant of drought, walnut trees and deer resistant!
### 4) Species Tulip – Tulipa tarda
*Flower Period:* Late April to May
*Attributes:* Unlike your regular over hybridized tulip, species tulips are hardy, long lived and will happily thrive in tough, dry conditions. There are many types of species tulips, but one of the best is Tulipa tarda which has white flowers with a yellow centres. It grows 6-8” tall and looks great in rock gardens or planted in mass by the front door.
### 5) Crown Imperial
*Flower Period:* Late April to mid-May
*Attributes:* This is one of my all-time favourite bulbs and it is not commonly seen in the Canadian garden (very popular in England). These tall majestic bulbs can grow up to 3’ tall and have bright yellow or orange bell shaped flowers. They can be planted as a focal point among other spring ephemerals and are deer resistant!
This is an excellent time to take a walk through gardens and make notes on your favourite bulbs. When the fall comes, you will have a list ready to go shopping! Remember to co-ordinate colours and to make sure you plant bulbs that will bloom from early spring to summer.
Until next time,
Andrea
*Post contributed by Andrea Weddum, Landscape Designer*
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