Best Spring Bulbs for the Central and Great Plains Region

Allium ‘Gladiator’ (Ornamental Onion)

ward-winner Allium ‘Gladiator’ is one of the tallest and most architectural onions. Its inflorescence consists of dozens of small star-shaped reddish-purple flowers forming a 6 inches across (15 cm) globe-shaped cluster. Blooming from late spring to early summer, this spectacular bulbous perennial enjoys long-lasting blooms and remains ornamental in the garden well into summer. A great naturalizer that comes back year after year.

Hyacinthus orientalis ‘Pink Pearl’ (Dutch Hyacinth)

Highly fragrant, award-winning Hyacinth ‘Pink Pearl’ features dense spikes of fuchsia-purple flowers edged pale pink. Floating atop erect, lance-shaped bright green leaves, this beauty blooms for 3-4 weeks in mid-spring. Plant it where you will be able to enjoy its perfume daily: near a doorway, along a path, near your patio or deck!

Narcissus ‘Sir Winston Churchill’ (Double Daffodil)

A bold statement for any garden, award-winning Daffodil ‘Sir Winston Churchill’ is delightfully fragrant and highly ravishing with large creamy-white flowers, 2.5 in. wide (6 cm), surrounding a saffron yellow heart. Each stem bears up to 4 flowers, creating rich scented bouquets. Long-lived, this daffodil is a marvelous addition to any mid-late spring borders and looks terrific in flower arrangements!

Tulipa batalinii ‘Bright Gem’ (Botanical Tulip)

A charmingly true and perennial tulip, Tulip ‘Bright Gem’ is an adorable little tulip with sulfur yellow, rounded flowers delicately flushed with apricot. The flowers are proudly held on short stems just above the narrow gray-green leaves. Growing up to 6 inches tall (15 cm), this tulip naturalizes easily and will form larger colonies with each passing year.

Allium caeruleum (Ornamental Onion)

Award-winner Allium caeruleum is a stunning bulbous perennial boasting globe-shaped clusters, 1 in. wide (3 cm), packed with dozens of small star-shaped bright blue flowers. They sit atop stiff stems above the foliage of narrow green leaves, often withering by flowering time. Prized for its true blue color, Allium caeruleum provides interesting ornamental value in the garden from late spring to early summer.

It naturalizes easily and will come back year after year!

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.

Tulipa tarda (Botanical Tulip)

Multiple award-winning Tulip ‘Tarda’ is a top performer, boasting elegant star-shaped flowers with yellow petals adorned with white tips. Clustered tightly together, they make a striking impact with their lovely color combination, specifically when the completely opened flowers form a star during the sunny hours.

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.