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Spring Flowers


What's the old line, "April showers bring spring flowers" ? In this case, it's true and here are a few notes about these lovely plants.

Daffodils - should be planted in the fall but are almost totally resistant to insects, predators such as rabbits, mice and rabbbits (they are quite poisonous) so you can grow them anywhere they get enough sun (sun or part shade). They come in large-flowering or smaller flowering for naturalizing. I love to put the smaller ones under shrubs so they flower before the shrubs leaf out in the spring. One of the first early spring bloomers in my garden. They live for many years if happy.

spring flowers daffodil quail
Daffodil 'Quail'

Tulips - everybody plants them and everybody complains they die too quickly. Here's how to grow them and why they die. Having said that, these are planted in the fall, bloom in the spring and come in a huge variety of both bloom time (early, mid-season and late) as well as flower shape and color. Easily the most popular spring time bulb because of their color and bright cheery nature.

spring flowering tulips
Tulip 'Angelique'

Crocus - these are not as popular as the two larger bulbs above but this fall-planted, spring blooming bulb will win your heart if you mass-plant them. Put 15-20 bulbs together in a grouping and the spring explosion will charm even the most jaded of plantsmen. Great for naturalizing, the purple blooms last for years. The yellows seem to fade away and the birds love to peck at them (don't ask me why).

tulips in water
Crocus 'Remembrance'

Hyacinths are one of the big-three in spring flowers because their fragrance will easily perfume a small garden on a still night. Easy to grow but somewhat short-lived (similar to Tulips where 3-5 years is all you can really expect) this is a wonderful addition to the garden. I restrict my enthusiasm for this plant because its fragrance can be overwhelming if planted in large numbers.

tulips in water
Hyacinth 'Blue Festival'

My other favorite in spring flowers

I've always been a fan of the allium family and this fall-planted but spring and early summer bloomer is care-free and easy to grow. Not much bothers this onion-family member so it's free to bloom for an extended time and produce marvellous seed heads that will delight gardeners. I'm a huge fan of the large flowered Alliums such as A. giganteum and A. christophii that produce massive softball sized flowers. Stunning if planted in clumps of 3 or more.

tulips in water
Gladiator

You can see the full list of spring flowers here



tulips in water
Globemaster











tulips in water
Daffodil 'Quail'