Get an Jumpstart on Spring With Small Scale Bulbs

It is not too late to think about planting some spring bulbs! In fact this is a great time to go shopping, because lots of nurseries and mail order companies have them on sale.
Traditional daffodils and tulips are great options, but don't forget to consider smaller scale bulbs like Snowdrops, Mascari and Scilla. These tiny beauties bloom early and are sure to kickoff the arrival of spring with an impressive floral display, especially when they are planted in numbers or left to naturalize.
Scilla planted in a drift.
Winter Aconite or Eranthis hyemalis are very early bloomers that look best in drifts. Leave them to naturalize in rock gardens and under the shade of trees.
Snowdrops are the first bulbs to bloom in my garden.
Chinodoxa forbesii 'Blue Giant' and Chinodoxa forbesii 'Pink Giant' have blooms not unlike Scilla. The flowers are larger however, and the flowers are up-facing.
Scilla siberica are also early to bloom and look best planted in drifts.
If you haven't considered planting Grape Hyacinths or Muscari in the last few years be sure to check out some of the newer varieties. 'Blue Magic' is two-toned and 'Ocean Magic' has white tipped flowers that are cobalt blue.
I love the simple beauty of Mascari 'White Magic'
Dog's Tooth Violets or Erythronium 'Pagoda' like moist, well-drained conditions. After the plants flower they become dormant in late May.
Perfect under trees, Anemone blanda 'Blue Star' and Anemone blanda 'White Splendour' are daisy-like beauties that naturalize well. For best results soak the hard corms in water overnight.
Fritillaria meleagris and Fritillaria meeagris alba have a beautiful checkerboard pattern. They prefer shady, cool locations and good drainage.
Three Dogs in a Garden
Want more details about this and other DIY projects? Check out my blog post!
Go
Frequently asked questions
Have a question about this project?
Comments
Join the conversation
3 of 15 comments
  • Joanie Anderson Joanie Anderson on Oct 20, 2013
    ok probably a stupid question but what are the " drifts" that they are best planted in ?
    • Three Dogs in a Garden Three Dogs in a Garden on Oct 20, 2013
      @Joanie Anderson There is no such thing as a stupid question! These bulbs are all tiny and low to the ground. You might also wonder why you should grow them at all if they have tiny flowers? Well- all of these bulbs bloom early in spring- far earlier than most tulips or daffodils. Snowdrops are the earliest of them all and sometimes end up peaking up out of the snow. The problem with growing something small however means that they can be somewhat insignificant unless you plant them in clusters (groupings of at least 5-10 bulbs). A "drift" is fancy garden-speak and makes reference to a large grouping (mass planting) of a single type of bulb. All of the bulbs in this post have a tendency to multiply and spread in a garden- meaning you have more and more tiny flowers each year.
  • Joanie Anderson Joanie Anderson on Oct 21, 2013
    Thanks for the information.
Next