Best Spring Bulbs for the Central and Great Plains Region

Spring Bulbs, Spring Flowers

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Your climate can experience cold winters and hot summers with occasional extreme temperature variations and moderate moisture. With a little care, conditions are great for a wide variety of hardy spring-flowering bulbs.

Optimum Planting Time: September 30th – November 30th
USDA Hardiness Zones: 5, 6

A New England
B Mid-Atlantic Coastal
C Appalachian
D South Atlantic Coastal
E Great Lakes
F East Central
G South Central
H Tropical
I Gulf Coast
J Northern Central
K Central & Great Plains
L Rocky Mountains
M Arid West
N Northern Pacific Coast
O Southern Pacific Coast
P Alaska

General Instructions

Plant bulbs in the fall, starting when nighttime temperatures stay between 40-50°F. But, be sure to plant approximately six weeks before the ground freezes to allow sufficient time for rooting. Bulbs will root best in cool soil and once rooted undergo natural changes that keep them from freezing. Water your bulbs after planting to help them start the rooting process.
After planting, apply slow-release "bulb food" fertilizer on the top of the ground to supply nutrients for the second year's bloom. (Bulbs are already fully charged with energy for peak flowering performance in their first spring bloom season). Do not put the fertilizer in the hole with the bulb as this may burn the bulb's tender roots.
Please note: Modern bone meal generally has little value as a bulb fertilizer and often draws rodents and dogs that dig up the bulbs looking for bones!
After the ground cools or freezes, cover your bulb beds with a lightweight mulch (pine needles, buckwheat hulls, straw, or chopped-up leaves) 2 — 4 inches thick to help keep down weeds and maintain a consistently cool soil temperature.

Special Note
Plant your spring-flowering bulbs in areas with less exposure to wind and extreme cold to extend the blooming season and protect early or late bloomers from extremes in temperature variation. If the spring is dry, water weekly while the foliage is green.

Guide Information

Plant Type	Bulbs
Season of Interest	Spring
Height
Spread

List of Bulbs for Perennializing (return for several years)

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.