What Spring Bulbs to Plant in Northern California

Colder Regions

• From the buttercup family, the Grecian wildflower is a spring-flowering plant for zone 6 that produces pink and white or blue and white daisy-shaped flowers about 2 inches in diameter. Another good choice is the foxtail lily, or Eremurus, a spring-flowering bulb that produces pink, orange, yellow or bronze flowers on tall spikes up to 72 inches in height. It grows in zones 5 through 8, performing best in locations with full sun throughout the morning.

Warmer Regions

• Dutch irises and wild hyacinth grow well in the warmer locations of Northern California. Dutch irises, or Iris hollandica, come in a variety of colors, including blue, white, yellow and purple, reaching just under 2 feet in height. They grow throughout Northern California. Wild hyacinth, or Brodiaea laxa, is a late spring flower that produces purple or blue blooms for two to three weeks, reaching a height of about 20 inches.

Tip

• When planting spring bulbs in the colder climates of zones 6 or below, cover bulbs with 3 to 4 inches of mulch. This helps protect them from low temperatures over the winter.