Anemones, Crocus, Muscari, Scilla, Chionodoxa and Galanthus! These all produce great mini flowers that make them perfectly suited for planting under or in front of tulips, daffodils, shrubs or along a woodland border. They all grow just 3″ to 12″ in height. All of these bulb varieties are to be planted in the fall. Some of them are also deer resistant and most are hardy (comes back each year) in garden zones 3-8. To find your zone click here and then just enter your zip code.
Anemone Blanda
Anemone: These bulbs grow with lots of colorful petals on each bloom, resembling small daises or poppies. Depending on the species, some anemones are hardy in garden zones 4-9 (sold in spring) and some in garden zones 7-10 (being sold in fall). Planting tip: Anemone bulbs grow with an extremely hard outer shell. Encourage sprouting and root growth by soaking bulbs in water for 24 hours or overnight prior to planting.
Mixed Crocus
Crocus: One of the first signs of spring, these gems bloom extremely early in spring – sometimes when there is still snow on the ground! They provide great bursts of color in partial shade to full sun areas. These short plants (2-6” tall) multiply readily, returning year after year in garden zones 3 to 8.
Muscari Armeniacum
Muscari: These extremely easy to grow bulbs bloom in early to late spring, depending on the species. Their lovely blooms range in color from blue, purple, to white. Great for naturalizing along the edges of wooded areas! They are great for forcing, growing in containers and last just as long as a cut flower as they do in the garden (up to 4 weeks)! Blue Armeniacum is most common and grow 4-8″ tall. They also send up fresh foliage in fall, a nice added benefit.
Scilla Siberica and Squill
Scilla: The electric blue flowers of the Scilla Siberica (also called “squill) peak bloom in early spring. Scilla are quite easy to grow and easily multiply which make them great for naturalizing! Most varieties grow in the 6-12” tall range. Scilla Campanulata comes in pink, white and blue. Striped Squill (Puschkinia) grow in tiny flower bunches, each petal bearing a beautiful blue stripe. These are all hardy in garden zones 3-8.
Scilla Siberica
Chionodoxa: These plants are most effective when used in large groupings under deciduous trees and in front of early-flowering shrubs. Though short-stemmed, they live long in cut flower arrangements. Grown in either in sun or dappled shade, they will flower everywhere. They grow 2-4″ tall.
Galanthus: One of the first to appear in winter, these flower are appropriately often called Snow drops. Naturalizes extremely well, they grow approximately 4-8″ tall.
Don’t just settle for Tulips and Daffodils for spring! Add more dimension and color with these low growing delights! Here are some images for inspiration on how to transform your yard into a dream.
Muscari, Anemone next to Hyacinth, front of tulips
Album Muscari with tulips
Latifolium Muscari
Crocus under tulips
