Special Bulbs---Beyond Tulips and Daffodils II

I love tulips and daffodils like the ones pictured above at Longwood Gardens. But there are so many more bulbs that deserve some space in our gardens. Special bulbs, or minor bulbs, do not get the same attention as their more famous cousins. Let's take a look at some other species that are often under-utilized in the garden. This is by no means a complete list. 

Galanthus elwesii

Galanthus elwesii, also know as Snowdrops, have nodding, 3-lobed bell-shaped flowers on short stems. They bloom late winter to early spring. The flowers are fragrant; the bulbs are animal-proof. Galanthus are great for rock gardens and naturalized areas. Plant them closely, about 9 per square foot, for best results. 

Galanthus nivalis 'Flore Pleno'

Galanthus nivalis 'Flore Pleno' has double flowers. An heirloom bulb, 'Flore Pleno' dates back to 1731. Its grass-like foliage grows to 6 inches. Plant these bulbs 3 inches deep. 

Hyacinthoides hispanica

Hyacinthoides hispanica, Spanish Bluebells, were previously classified as Scilla. These adaptable bulbs will grow in shade or sun. Spanish Bluebells date back to the late 19th century. They are critter-resistant and grow as prolific perennials. 

Hyacinthoides non-scripta

Hyacinthoides non-scripta, known as English Bluebells, are smaller than hispanica. The flowers are dark blue and fragrant. Excellent to use in a naturalized setting.

Ipheion 'Alberto Castillo'

Ipheion uniflorum has a six-petaled starflower. This long-lasting spring bloomer can be used in a naturalized setting. Ipheion attracts pollinators. 

Leucojum aestivum 'Gravetye Giant'

Leucojum aestivum, Summer Snowflake, blends well with tulips, daffodils, and other late spring flowers. The 'Gravetye Giant' variety resembles a large Lily of the Valley, growing 18-24 inches tall.

Lycoris squamigera

Lycoris squamigera, Surprise Lily, is easy to grow, tolerating part shade to full sun. Plant 5 inches deep, alone or with low-growing perennials. The lily flower emerges with no leaves in the summer. Attractive to pollinators, Lycoris can tolerate dry spells. 

A river of Muscari at Keukenhof Garden in the Netherlands

Muscari armeniacum, Grape Hyacinth, produces short spikes of flowers in clusters. Bloom colors range from shades of blue to white. Great for use as a ground cover. Muscari has a slight grape-like fragrance, attracts pollinators, and is animal resistant.

Scilla siberica

Scilla siberica, Siberian Squill, bloom in very early spring. An heirloom dating back to 1796, Scilla is best planted en masse at the rate of 12 per square foot. 

Sternbergia lutea

Sternbergia lutea, Autumn Daffodil, has yellow flowers that reach a height of a foot tall. They like well-drained soil in a sunny area. Blooming in the fall, this member of the Amaryillis family is pest-proof.

There are hundreds of other bulbs that deserve mentioning. For more information, visit Netherland Bulbs at Dig, Drop, Done, or visit our extensive display of bulbs every fall at Valley View Farms. 

Thanks to Rene Burcksen, Don Tyson, and the folks at Netherland Bulbs for allowing us to share photos from their library. Thanks also to Becky Heath of Brent and Becky's Bulbs for her insight, and thank you to my co-workers, Brian and Cindi for their help.

Thanks to this man, Willem and his wife, who hosted me and my friend on a tour of the bulb fields in Holland 20 years ago. 

Special Bulbs---Beyond Tulips and Daffodils Part I

 

Fall-planted/spring-flowering bulbs are proof that gardeners are true optimists. Planting a brown orb into a garden, or even a pot, then waiting through the winter for the emergence of beautiful flowers is what makes us a positive bunch of people. 

Tulips, daffodils, and hyacinths are the stars of the spring garden, but the minor bulbs deserve some of the spotlights too. In a few lectures given to garden clubs recently, these special bulbs took center stage. Here are a few excerpts from those presentations. 

Species tulips, and their bulbs, are much smaller than their Darwin hybrid cousins. They tend to be better perennials, more deer resistant, and can provide a nice border in the front of the garden. The following varieties tend to get 4-8" tall, blooming in mid-spring.

Tulipa vvedensky 'Tangerine Beauty'

Tulipa batalinii 'Bright Gem'

Tulipa bakerii 'Lilac Wonder'

Alliums are, in my opinion, underutilized in the garden, even though the Perennial Plant Association named Allium 'Millenium' as a Perennial of the Year recently. The ornamental onions are pollinator-friendly, deer resistant, great cut-flowers, and, come in an amazing assortment of varieties.

Allium caeruleum

Allium schubertii

Anemone blanda, Grecian Windflowers, have a small daisy-like flower. They are borne on 3" plants with fern-like foliage. Anemones create a nice groundcover for taller bulbs and perennials. Soak the small corms overnight before planting. 

Anemone blanda is in the foreground

Camassia leichtini is one of my personal favorites. The tall spikes of blue flowers grow 2-3 feet tall. 

They will tolerate damp soils around ponds and grow in full sun and at forest edges.

Camassia leitchtinii

Chionodoxa luciliae, also known as Glory of the Snow, has blue flowers that fade from lighter blue to white in the center. Two or three star-shaped flowers bloom on 8-10" stems. 'Blue Giant', one of the large species, blooms in early spring. Glory of the Snow will naturalize in woodland gardens. 

Chionodoxa luciliae Glory of the Snow

Crocus chrysanthus, Snow Crocus, is among the earliest blooming bulbs in the garden. Their 6-petaled cupped flower is wonderful in rock gardens, crevices, and other small spaces. Snow Crocus are lovely in the early spring lawn. 

Crocus chrysanthus 'Snow Bunting'

Crocus tommasinianus, Wild Crocus, is known by the narrow white strip down the center of its leaves. 

Squirrel resistant, they bloom from late winter into early spring. Plant in large drifts in borders and garden beds. 

Crocus tommasinianus 'Ruby Giant'

Eranthis cilicica, Winter Aconite, blooms very early. The yellow buttercup with the frilly green collar is a favorite of a friend who works with the Netherland Bulb Company. It's easy to see why. Tolerant of partial shade, plant this cheery yellow flower with other early bloomers like Hellebores and Forsythia.

Eranthis cilicica

The Fritillarias diverse bulbs come in many sizes, from the dwarf meleagris that grows 12" to the imperialis, which grows 2-3'. They prefer rich well-drained soils, like a good bit of plant food, and can have a skunk-like smell that may be what keeps critters away. 

Fritillaria meleagris

Frittilaria imperialis

We will explore other special bulbs within the week. Thank you to The Federated Garden Clubs of Maryland who asked for the information in this blog. Thanks also to the folks at Netherland Bulb Company, who graciously let me use many of their images, and to Becky Heath from Brent and Becky's Bulbs. Finally, thanks to Brian Brannan and Cindi Fielder, who maintain our bulb selection here at Valley View Farms.