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.