Spring Blooming Flower Bulbs
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After a long winter, the sight of tiny flower bulbs pushing through the soil is a welcome sign of spring. Even though it is still cold and wintry feeling outside, bulbs are already popping through the ground in spite of the temperatures.
Because this property was once an old farm, many of the trees have flower bulbs popping up underneath of them that someone planted in the past. When we found some daffodils growing around one of the trees, we cleared out the weeds and added some mulch. After the daffodils and narcissus were done, we saw a few iris starting blooming. Then, dozens of them started appearing and blooming in a beautiful array. Since then, we have added more spring blooming flower bulbs. Some were given to me, some we purchased, and some we moved around from one tree to another.
Our Flower Bulbs
Daffodils and Narcissus
These are usually the earliest blooming flowers at our place. They are typically yellow, white, or with subtle orange-pink accents. These come back year after year without needing to be replanted and are very long lasting. Another perk - mice and deer don’t like them.
Hyacinth
These small flowers usually come in purple, pink, and white. What they lack in height, they make up for with an amazing scent that will fill the room.
Tulips
Coming in a large range of colors as well as specialty doubles, parrot, and sharktooth varieties, these happy flowers are popular for cutting. They come in early and late varieties that extend the bloom time. Some varieties don’t come back as consistently every year.
Iris
Just under an old elm tree we have white, blue, purple, pinks, and multicolor bearded iris. They are hardy and consistent bloomers. They are taller than some of the earlier blossoms and come is a range of unique colors.
Lilies
We discovered an overgrown patch of orange tiger lilies under an oak tree and moved them to a new location. We also have yellow daylilies and some red asiatic lilies. They are one of the last flowers to bloom in the flower beds.
I love walking around the property and foraging all the spring bulbs and other flowering shrubs and trees to create flower arrangements for the kitchen table or add them to a small grocery store bouquet. The palettes and textures change as the season moves from winter to spring creating an ever evolving display.
Where to buy flower bulbs
We have sourced flower bulbs from a variety of places. We have been given some when they were renovating an old property, we have purchased at lot on the clearance racks at the end of the season, and of course, ordered online.
Purchasing in big box stores is quick and convenient. At the end of the season the pots of tulips and hyacinth will frequently be on clearance as well as the lilies later on. Some stores will carry daffodil and iris bulbs in limited varieties.
Buying online allows you to purchase specialty, unique, or heirloom varieties.
Blooming Bulb has a nice selection of flowers as well as fruits and vegetables.
Eden Brothers offer bulbs and perennials
Dutch Bulb has a wide variety of bulbs for both spring and fall planting.
When to plant flower bulbs
We usually plant flower bulbs in the fall for them to bloom in early spring. However, when I find bulbs on the clearance rack, I will sometimes bring them home and stick them right into the ground. The first year they will just bloom later. We let all of these bulbs stay in the ground year round. Most of these bulbs need some cool temperatures to help them flower.
If you think you need to store your bulbs for fall planting, the best place is a cool, dry place such as a basement or an extra refrigerator (as long as you don’t store fruit at the same time)
(Updated 2020)
Supplies
