Planting bulbs is a wonderful way to add vibrant color and life to your spring garden.
Most bulbs are best planted in the fall, giving them time to establish roots before winter sets in. But if you miss the fall planting deadline, why not try indoor “forcing” to prepare the plants for warmer weather.
There are a few simple things to think about before choosing the best bulbs for your yard. Here are 13 popular spring-blooming bulbs that thrive in North American gardens, with a little more info for each…
Wherever possible, I’ve added links to the bulbs on Amazon with high ratings so you can get more info and pricing details – if you buy through my links, I make a small commission and very much appreciate your support. Thank you!
1. Tulips
Tulips are among the most popular spring bulbs because of their wide range of colors, shapes, and sizes, making them a favorite for gardeners of all skill levels.
Because they’re so popular, tulips are very easy to buy online. You can get them in white, pinky purples, pastels, black and yellow, and even mixed packs of up to 100 bulbs from Amazon. They’re often planted in groups for a more dramatic display.
Tulips are relatively easy to grow, needing to be planted in the fall with minimal maintenance after that. To thrive, tulips need well-drained soil and a location with full to partial sunlight.
If you buy bulbs, the seller will give you more specific planting info about the bulbs you buy, when to plant them, and when you’ll see your flowers bloom – some bloom early or mid-spring, while others bloom later.
Tulips do well in most North American climates, but in warmer regions, they may need to be pre-chilled for optimal blooming or to make them bloom earlier.
2. Daffodils (Narcissus)
Daffodils are one of the most popular and reliable spring bulbs, known for their bright, cheerful flowers in shades of yellow and white (including these Giant Christmas Daffodils). Or buy a mixed bag for a gorgeous display.
Most daffodils have the distinctive trumpet-shaped blooms, and all of them are both beautiful and easy to grow. Daffodils thrive in well-drained soil and prefer full sun to partial shade, and they’re exceptionally hardy.
Blooming in early to mid-spring, daffodils are among the first flowers to brighten the yard after winter. They are low-maintenance and naturalize well, often multiplying over the years to form impressive drifts of color.
Daffodils are also deer and rodent resistant because of their toxic nature, which makes them an excellent choice for gardens with wildlife.
3. Hyacinths
Hyacinths are known for their dense clusters of highly fragrant flowers that come in blue, coral pink, white, and purple. As with most bulbs, you can buy a mixed bag for a wonderful splash of color!
They are relatively easy to grow and are usually planted in the fall. Hyacinths need sandy, well-drained soil and a sunny or partially shaded spot to thrive. Once planted, these plants need minimal care, other than occasional watering in dry conditions.
Hyacinth bulbs bloom in early to mid-spring, bringing vibrant color and a sweet fragrance to gardens, borders, and containers. While hyacinths are low-maintenance, sometimes their flowers get top-heavy and need a little support to stop them from bending.
Hyacinths grow well in most North American climates and can return year after year with proper care, although some gardeners choose to replant annually for the best blooms.
4. Grape Hyacinths (Muscari)
Muscari, commonly called grape hyacinths even though they aren’t hyacinths, are small but vibrant spring bulbs known for their dense, grape-like clusters of tiny, bell-shaped flowers that smell like grape juice.
The flowers are most often a gorgeous cobalt blue, but you might be lucky enough to find them in white, violet, or pink if you hunt around. I recently discovered these ombre grape hyacinths that I’d love to try growing next season – aren’t they gorgeous!
The plants spread easily and thrive in well-drained soil and full sun to partial shade.
Grape hyacinths are adaptable, making them great for various garden settings, like borders, rock gardens, and even containers.
Blooming in mid to late spring, along with tulips and daffodils, grape hyacinths can multiply and return year after year with little care. Once established, they need only a little water during prolonged dry periods.
Grape hyacinths are also resistant to pests such as deer and rodents, making them a reliable choice for gardens in areas with wildlife.
5. Crocuses
Crocuses are beautiful, hardy spring bulbs that are among the first to bloom, often pushing through the snow in late winter to early spring. They’re known for their delicate, cup-shaped flowers that come in different colors, like purple, yellow, white, and striped patterns, with mixed bags on the market too.
Plant your crocuses in the fall and they’ll bloom in early spring. They thrive in well-drained soil and prefer full sun to partial shade. Crocuses are low-maintenance once established, requiring only occasional watering during dry periods.
6. Alliums
Alliums are striking spring bulbs known for their tall, slender stems topped with globe-shaped clusters of small flowers, often resembling a starburst. Their blooms come in purple (dark purple and light purple/pink), white, and blue, and add both height and interest to backyards.
Alliums are relatively easy to grow – all they need is well-drained soil and full sun to partial shade.
Alliums usually bloom in late spring to early summer, extending the bulb season after many other spring flowers have faded. They are great for borders, rock gardens, and naturalized areas, and their long-lasting flowers make them a beautiful choice for cut flower arrangements.
Alliums are also deer and rodent resistant, which adds to their appeal in gardens where wildlife is a worry.
7. Snowdrops (Galanthus)
Snowdrops are one of the earliest spring bloomers, often coming through the snow in late winter to early spring. You can buy Snowdrop bulbs online at Amazon, but they’re often available in local garden centers too.
These delicate, nodding flowers are pure white and bell-shaped. They’re quite easy to grow, and do best in well-drained soil and partial shade. You’ll often see them thriving under deciduous trees where they get winter sun and summer shade.
Snowdrops are often planted in the fall and are excellent for naturalizing, as they can multiply over time to create dense clusters of flowers.
Because Snowdrops are hardy (despite their name) and can bloom even in cold conditions, they’re a great choice for gardeners wanting to add early-season interest to their landscapes.
8. Fritillarias
Want to add exotic charm to your yard with bulbs that need very little attention from you?
Well, fritillarias are unique and striking spring bulbs with distinct bell-shaped flowers that often have patterns or speckles on them. These are one of my favorite bulbs to grow because they’re so darn pretty and interesting to look at.
The two most common varieties of fritillarias are:
- Fritillaria imperialis or Rubra, also called Crown Imperial, with its tall spikes of vibrant, drooping flowers in orange and yellow.
- Fritillaria meleagris, also called the Checkered Lily or snakes head, has a delicate, checkered pattern. These flowers come in white, cream, pink, red, purple, and violet, so there are a few options to choose from.
Fritillarias thrive in well-drained soil and prefer a sunny to partially shaded growing spot. They are usually planted in the fall and bloom in early to mid-spring.
While fritillarias are hardy and low-maintenance once established, they do best in well-drained soil to prevent bulb rot.
9. Squills (Scillas)
Scillas, particularly Scilla siberica or squills, are charming and hardy spring bulbs known for their delicate, star-shaped flowers that usually appear in shades of blue, though white, pink, and striped varieties can sometimes be found.
Scillas are often used for naturalizing in lawns, rock gardens, and woodland areas, where they spread and grow in beautiful clusters over time.
If planted in the fall, Scillas bloom in early spring. They thrive in well-drained soil and can tolerate full sun to partial shade.
I couldn’t find any of these bulbs on Amazon with good ratings, so please look for high-quality bulbs in your local garden center.
10. Balkan or Grecian Windflowers (Anemones)
Anemone blanda, commonly known as the Balkan or Grecian windflower, has vibrant, daisy-like flowers that come in shades of blue, pink, lavender, white, and bicolors. Be careful to buy high-quality bulbs as there are many on the market that get bad reviews because they simply don’t bloom when spring arrives.
These plants originally came from the rocky slopes and woodlands of southeastern Europe, particularly in the Balkan Peninsula. Ancient people believed that these flowers only bloomed when the wind blew, which is how they got the name “anemone”, which comes from the Greek word for “wind.”
The plant’s bulbs are relatively easy to grow and are mostly planted in the fall to bloom in early to mid-spring.
They thrive in well-drained soil and prefer partial to full shade, making them ideal for areas under trees or in lightly shaded garden beds.
11. Dutch Iris (Iris hollandica)
Dutch Iris are elegant and striking spring bulbs known for their tall, graceful stems and large, orchid-like flowers (but luckily much easier to grow and keep alive than orchids!).
Dutch Iris blooms come in many colors, like blue, deep purple, white, lemon yellow, bronze, and gold, but a good-quality mixed bag is always my first choice for ease and beauty.
They’re a hybrid species developed in the Netherlands in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Despite their name, they are not native to the Netherlands – they were just bred there by crossing species from Spain and North Africa to create a hardier and more versatile iris suitable for cooler climates.
Planted in the fall, Dutch Irises tend to bloom in late spring. They thrive in well-drained soil and prefer full sun to partial shade.
12. Glory-of-the-Snow (Chionodoxa)
Chionodoxa, known as Glory-of-the-Snow, have delicate, star-shaped flowers that mostly come in shades of blue with white centers. They are special because they can flower even when there’s still snow on the ground, which is why they can brighten up the garden very early in spring.
Native to the mountains of Turkey, Cyprus, and Crete, the name Chionodoxa comes from the Greek words “chion,” meaning snow, and “doxa,” meaning glory.
Chionodoxa are relatively easy to grow and take very little work. They are best planted in the fall and thrive in well-drained soil with full sun to partial shade.
The bulbs are excellent for naturalizing in lawns, rock gardens, or under deciduous trees, where they can gradually spread and create a lovely carpet of color.
13. Poppy Anemone
Poppy Anemones have vibrant, poppy-like flowers in shades of red, blue, pink, white, and bicolors. A mixed bag of colors is a great way to add a splash of color to your spring garden.
Poppy Anemones’ rich history is rooted in the Mediterranean region – the name “coronaria” is derived from the Latin word for “crown,” reflecting the flower’s prominent, crown-like central cluster of stamens.
The bulbs are easy to grow and are planted in the fall or early winter. They do best in well-drained soil and prefer full sun to partial shade.
Poppy Anemones are versatile and can be used in garden beds, borders, and containers, making them a popular choice for adding bold color and visual interest to spring gardens.
They are widely available and bring a lively and vibrant touch to early-season displays.
