Early Flowering Bulbs

Types

• Common early-blooming bulbs include crocus in a range of colors, blue spring beauty and snow glories in pink, white and lavender. Hyacinths offer early spring blossoms on a larger plant, making a bolder statement in the early spring landscape.

Function

• Spring-flowering bulbs work in a variety of landscape plans, such as borders, flowerbeds and foundation plantings. Mass plantings provide a clear focal point in the yard. Taller bulb flowers, such as hyacinth, contrast well with ground covers. Bulbs also perform well when grown in containers and used as accents in a yard or patio area.

Geography

• Spring bulbs require fall planting, with specific planting times that vary from early September to late December, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture Plant Hardiness Zone Map. Bulbs in USDA plant hardiness zones 1 through 5 perform best when planted in September. Gardeners who wish to plant bulbs in USDA plant hardiness zones 6 through 11 should wait until mid-October or later.