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8 Special Bulbs You May Want To Try Out

Spring bulbs, Hyacinthoides, Iris reticulata, Muscari armeniacum, Scilla Siberica, Allium sphaerocephalon, Anemone Blanda, Chionodoxa forbesii, Galanthus

Spring bulbs, Hyacinthoides Hispanica ,Spanish Bluebell, Iris reticulata, Dwarf Iris, Muscari armeniacum, Grape Hyacinth, Scilla Siberica, Siberian Squill,Allium sphaerocephalon, Drumstick Allium,Anemone Blanda, Grecian Winfdlowers, Chionodoxa forbesii,

Tulips, daffodils, hyacinths, and crocus: these are the spring bloomers everyone knows. But there are hundreds of other, lesser-known beauties to plant in fall. Some are small and delicate, others tall and ungainly. All are fabulous. Wait till you see them!

  • They range from colorful accent bulbs suited to sparse rock gardens to bulbs that excel, when planted en masse, as great seas of naturalized color in gardens, lawns, or woodland settings.
  • Many naturalize to return year after year in peak form, often spreading.
  • Most are unappealing to deer, squirrels, and other pests.
  • All deserve a closer look by gardeners who want to add “something different” to their fall plantings of spring color!

Guide Information

Hardiness 3 - 8
Plant Type Bulbs
Season of Interest Spring (Early, Mid, Late)

Following are 8 special bulbs you may want to try out: all are fall-planted

Allium Sphaerocephalon,Drumstick Allium,Drumstick Allium, Roundhead Leek, Round-Headed Allium, Ornamental Onion, Spring Bulbs, Spring Flowers, Purple flowers

Allium sphaerocephalon (Drumstick Allium)

The ‘Drumstick Allium’ (Allium sphaerocephalon) is a captivating choice for borders, featuring egg-shaped flower heads atop slender stems. The flowers transition from green to purple, creating an eye-catching display in late spring to early summer. This perennial bulb naturalizes effortlessly, ensuring its stunning colors return year after year.

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Hardiness 4 - 11
Season of Interest Spring (Late)
Summer (Early)
Height 2' - 3'
(60cm - 90cm)
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Galanthus, Galanthus Nivalis, Snowdrop, Common Snowdrop, Fair Maids of February, Little Sister of the Snows, Purification Flower, Candlemas Bells, Candlemas Lily, Common Bells, early flowering bulb, winter bulb, white flowering bulbAGM Award

Galanthus nivalis (Snowdrop)

Galanthus nivalis (Snowdrop) is a charming early spring bulb that brings weeks of beauty to the garden. Its dainty white flowers, with a green spot on each petal, nod gracefully atop slender grayish-green leaves. Slightly fragrant, the foliage emerges before and continues to develop during and after the bloom, fading away neatly in spring.

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Hardiness 3 - 8
Season of Interest Spring (Early)
Winter
Height 8" - 10"
(20cm - 25cm)
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Muscari Armeniacum, Grape Hyacinth, Bulbs Design, Spring Bulbs, Summer Bulbs, Fall Fulbs, Landscaping Design, Garden IdeasAGM Award

Muscari armeniacum (Grape Hyacinth)

Multiple award-winner Muscari armeniacum is by far the most cultivated species of Muscari. Its tiny, bell-shaped, cobalt-blue flowers, each with a very delicate white border, form a compact cluster. The flowers remain beautiful for a long time in mid-late spring. A great bulb for naturalizing, that is deer resistant, perfect for containers and outstanding as a border plant.

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Hardiness 4 - 8
Season of Interest Spring (Mid, Late)
Height 6" - 8"
(15cm - 20cm)
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Scilla Siberica, Siberian Squill, Spring Beauty, Bulbs Design, Spring Bulbs,Early spring flowers, mid spring flowers, blue flowers in springAGM Award

Scilla siberica (Siberian Squill)

Scilla siberica, an early blooming bulbous perennial, showcases vibrant blue, bell-shaped flowers that nod gracefully in early to mid-spring. With 2-5 flowers per stem, its narrow, strap-shaped leaves form a grassy foliage. This easy-to-grow plant naturalizes well, creating a stunning blue carpet when planted in large groups. It reaches a height and width of 3-6 inches (7-15 cm). Hardiness Zones: 2-8.

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Hardiness 2 - 8
Season of Interest Spring (Early, Mid)
Height 3" - 6"
(8cm - 15cm)
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Anemone Blanda, Grecian Windflower, Wood Anemone, Spring Bulbs, Spring Flowers, Anemone Blanda White Splendour, Anemone Blanda Blue shades, Bulbs Design, Spring Bulbs, Fall Bulbs, Landscaping Design, Garden Ideas,

Anemone blanda (Grecian Windflower)

Anemone blanda (Grecian Windflower) is a delightful and rewarding plant that brings bursts of bright colors to the garden in mid-spring. Its daisy-like flowers in shades of white, blue, and pink bloom abundantly over the finely cut foliage, creating a charming display. Perfect for planting along paths and borders, or even under shade trees, these flowers provide weeks of springtime joy.

Anemone blanda (Grecian Windflower) Read More
Hardiness 4 - 8
Season of Interest Spring (Mid)
Height 4" - 6"
(10cm - 15cm)
Anemone blanda (Grecian Windflower) Read More
Chionodoxa, Glory of the Snow, Chionodoxa forbesii, Chionodoxa Luciliae, Chionodoxi Siehei, Chionodoxa sardensis, Spring bulbs, Early Spring bloom

Chionodoxa (Glory Of The Snow)

Chionodoxa, commonly known as Glory-of-the-Snow, is a delightful spring-flowering bulb. Its clusters of star-shaped flowers in blue, pink, or white hues create a carpet of color. Growing just 4-6 inches tall, this petite beauty easily naturalizes in rock gardens, borders, and woodlands, adding charm to any landscape.

Chionodoxa (Glory Of The Snow) Read More
Hardiness 3 - 8
Season of Interest Spring (Early)
Height 4" - 6"
(10cm - 15cm)
Chionodoxa (Glory Of The Snow) Read More
Spanish Bluebell, Spanish Bluebells, Scilla Hispanica, Scilla Campanulata, Endymion Hispanicus Hyacinthoides Excelsior, Hyacinthoides Queen of Pinks, Hyacinthoides White City, Flower bulb, Flowering bulb, Blue Flowers

Hyacinthoides hispanica (Spanish Bluebells)

With its charming nodding bell-shaped flowers on sturdy stalks, Spanish Bluebell (Hyacinthoides hispanica) is a low-maintenance and visually stunning bulbous perennial. Blooming from mid to late spring, it adds beauty to the landscape and multiplies easily under favorable growing conditions.

Hyacinthoides hispanica (Spanish Bluebells) Read More
Hardiness 3 - 8
Season of Interest Spring (Mid, Late)
Height 6" - 2'
(15cm - 60cm)
Hyacinthoides hispanica (Spanish Bluebells) Read More
Iris reticulata, Dwarf iris, spring container ideas, Iris Reticulata 'Katharine Hodgkin',Iris Reticulata 'Harmony', Iris reticulata 'Pixie', Iris Reticulata 'Spring Time',Iris Reticulata 'Gordon'

Iris reticulata (Dwarf Iris)

Iris reticulata, also known as Dwarf Iris, is a small but stunning spring-flowering bulb. It features delicate, vibrant blooms in shades of blue, purple, and yellow, with intricate patterns and a sweet fragrance. Perfect for rock gardens, borders, and containers, it adds a pop of color to early-season gardens.

Iris reticulata (Dwarf Iris) Read More
Hardiness 5 - 8
Season of Interest Spring (Early)
Winter
Height 4" - 6"
(10cm - 15cm)
Iris reticulata (Dwarf Iris) Read More

You may want to review these useful guides

Naturilizing bulbs, Perennial spring bulbs, top performing spring bulbs, bulbs that come back, bulbs that perenialize well

12 Top Performing Spring Bulbs that Come Back Year After Year!

A sampling of top-performing bulbs that can be counted upon to perennialize — and, if happy where you plant them, will most likely naturalize, too, to come back to bloom for years.

12 Top Performing Spring Bulbs that Come Back Year After Year! Read More
12 Top Performing Spring Bulbs that Come Back Year After Year! Read More
Spring Combination Ideas, Bulb Combinations, Plant Combinations, Flowerbeds Ideas, Spring Borders, tulips combinations, tulips with perennials, tulips with annuals, plant combinations with tulips

Combining Tulips with Annuals and Perennials

Although tulips look fabulous when planted in large drifts, they look even better when combined with other flowering bulbs, annuals, or perennials. Here are some lovely combination ideas that are easy to replicate in your garden.

Combining Tulips with Annuals and Perennials Read More
Combining Tulips with Annuals and Perennials Read More
While every effort has been made to describe these plants accurately, please keep in mind that height, bloom time, and color may differ in various climates. The description of these plants has been written based on numerous outside resources.

Guide Information

Hardiness 3 - 8
Plant Type Bulbs
Season of Interest Spring (Early, Mid, Late)

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