Spring Bulbs in Wisconsin

Tulip

• Tulips bloom from mid to late spring. They were first cultivated in Turkey and were brought to Europe through Holland. The bulbs are 2 to 3 inches long and about an inch to 1 1/2 inches wide. Plant in the fall before the ground freezes, which can be as early as the middle of October in Wisconsin. Plant the bulbs 6 inches deep and four inches apart. The leaves will grow first, followed by stems and buds several weeks later. The flowers are cup shaped with six overlapping petals. Don't leave containers planted with tulips outside. The water in the container will freeze, killing the bulb.

Fritillaria

• If you're looking for an unusual spring bulb, then fritillaria is your choice. These bulbs grow plants from 8 inches to 36 inches high, depending on the variety. Members of the lily family, the flowers are cup shaped and grow one to 10 or more bunched on a stem. The flowers face downward and are topped by a cluster of leaves on the top of the stem above the flowers. Plant 6 inches deep and six inches apart.

Crocus

• One of the earliest spring flowers -- beat out only by snowdrops -- crocuses grow to 6 inches high with thin, narrow leaves followed by 1-inch-long, cup-shaped flowers. The stamens are a bright yellow-orange and contrast with the petals. Crocus blooms in yellow, white, purple and deep violet. They naturalize in Wisconsin. Plant the bulbs 3 to 4 inches deep in masses of 20 or more rather than in rows. For a stunning ongoing spring display, plant tulips 6 inches deep, cover with 2 inches of soil and overplant with daffodils. Cover the daffodils with an inch of soil and plant with crocus.

Siberian Squill

• The royal blue, star-shaped flowers welcome spring in Wisconsin. The leaves look like large blades of grass. The flowers bloom two to three per 6-inch-long stem. Hardy to zone 2, they will survive in the coldest areas of Wisconsin. The flowers survive snow and frost.