Minor Bulbs Are A Spring Delight

Spring has finally arrived, and there are a few welcome signs of life in the garden. This is when the earliest flowering bulbs appear. These bulbs are called small or minor bulbs for no good reason except perhaps because they are underappreciated.

 

Snowdrops (Galanthus nivalis) have been in bloom by my front door for over a week. Snowdrop flowers are pure write except for a splash of green on the tips of the inner petals. Each solitary drooping bloom forms on top of a slender stalk that rises from the base of two linear leaves.

 

Snowdrops are sold in the fall and need immediate planting. Space bulbs 3-4 inches apart and cover with three inches of soil. Notable varieties include Galanthus nivalus ‘Flore Pleno’ , a charming double-flowering form and Galanthus nivalus ‘S. Arnott’, a six-inch variety with sweetly scented flowers. These, as well as all of the following bulbs deserve a location near an entrance or walkway where they can be easily seen and appreciated.

 

Another early “bulb” is winter aconite, (Eranthis hyemalis). This little dwarf with its buttercup-like flowers reproduces freely with little or no care. Aside from the fact that it must be planted at once upon arrival, Eranthis tolerates full sun as well as dense shade, even under trees where little else will grow, let alone bloom. Left undisturbed, winter aconite will form clumps over a period of several years.

 

Several species of crocus are very early bloomers. These differ from the more popular and larger Dutch varieties in that they bloom earlier and are more persistent. Crocus chrysanthus is quite variable in color, ranging from blue to yellow and white. C. flavus is a glowing, unmarked orange-yellow that appears in late March. C. Sieberi on the other hand, is a generally a delicate blue or white with a gold throat. It often blooms as early as late February. One of the most popular and earliest species to bloom is the Cloth-of-Gold (C. angustifolius). This orange-yellow species flowers before C. flavus, but isn’t quite as brilliant. One species that spreads extremely well is Crocus tomasinianus. It’s a free-flowering form, and when it naturalizes, appears as broad splashes of pale lavender in March. As with most minor bulbs, crocuses should be planted in small clumps or patches of about 15-30 bulbs for the best show.

 

Often clumped together in naturalized woodlands or short grass are Chionodoxa, Muscari and Scilla. All three colonize vigorously and will grow well in all but the dampest, shadiest places. Chionodoxa or “Glory of the Snow” will produce up to 10 starry flowers on a single stem. In blue white, or pink they look like delicate fairies dancing over the land.

 

Muscari or grape hyacinth resemble upside down clusters of grapes. Growing from 6 to 12 inches in height, it comes in white and spans the blue spectrum,ranging from light blue to blue violet. Grape Hyacinth look well edging a border, planted in clumps or highlighting other spring bulbs.

 

Self-seeding to form dense carpets, Scilla is very easy to grow. Put in a few of these low-growing bulbous plants and watch them go! They come in white or shades of blue.

 

If fragrance is what you’ve been craving all winter, put in some hyacinths next fall. They will thrive if planted in well-drained soil and reward you with richly-scented flower spikes each spring. Hyacinths come in most colors of the rainbow.

 

Most of the minor bulbs described here are common types found everywhere in the spring landscape. If you’ve never had bulbs of your own, watch for them this spring, decide which appeal to you, and then plant some next fall for your own spring delight. While tulips and daffodils are lovely, for charm the small bulbs just can’t be beat!

 

Call the UNH Cooperative Extension's Family, Home & Garden Education Center 's Info-Line toll-free at 1-877-3984769 for "Practical Solutions to Everyday Questions." Trained volunteers are available to answer your questions Monday through Friday from 9 am to 2 pm .

 

By Margaret Hagen, UNH Cooperative Extension Agricultural Resources Educator, Hillsborough County