Uncommon Spring Flowers

Oct 12

Introduction

Most of us are well aware of tulips, daffodils, crocus, and hyacinths as the usual bulbs we plant in Fall for a spring bloom. And as fantastic as they may be, they have been around for a while. Planting the same ones every year becomes an old habit.

With all due respect to old habits – you should know there are a whole bunch of other bulbs you can plant that will be the envy of your neighbors!

Some of these are also planted in Fall and are cold hardy - enough to survive the winter. BUT - there is also a group of uncommonly beautiful flowers that you can plant in early Spring. These bulbs would not survive the winter freeze and will bloom much later in late spring to early summer.

Fall or Spring - some are simply magical - and I know you will want some of that in your garden!

Fall bulbs

Just like the daffodils, tulips and hyacinths - these get planted in the fall. Make sure to plant them at their proper depth as it will vary amongst them. Always add a fertilizer (I like Bulb Tone) into the hole before planting, and water well once you are done.

Most fall planted bulbs do better over the winter if you mulch them heavily. In spring, carefully remove this mulch once everything is sprouting.

Fritillaria imperialis Galanthus nivalis “Fiore Pieno” Scillia mischtschenkoana Puschikinia scilloides

Camassia leichtlinii Dichelostemma congestum Leucojum vernum

Spring bulbs

This group of bulbs get planted only in the Spring. A good rule of thumb is on the day of, but not sooner than the frost date for your zone. Here in NYC that is about April 15th.

Just like Fall planted ones - make sure to put them at their proper depth, add a fertilizer, water well, and mulch.

Anemone hybrida Italian Ranunculus Cloni Ixia maculata Oxalis versicolor “Well Shea”