Spring Awakens with Color

In early March, before the buds begin to emerge on the bare branches of trees, crocuses, daffodils, hyacinths and tulips bloom. Yellow, pink, blue, and white flowers bring hope that winter is nearly over and spring is on the horizon.

The following plants will grow for more than one year, although some, like daffodils, will come back stronger and in greater numbers, while others, like tulips, may fade, growing smaller each year until they don’t grow back at all. With all of these, you can cut the flowers but you should not remove the leaves until they completely wither as the nutrients need to return to the bulb so the plant can grow again in the spring.

Crocuses are the earliest to bloom and can be blue, pink, orange and more colors. They look great in the front of a bed or in your lawn. When they develop into clumps, you can dig them up, divide them, and replant or share them with your neighbors.

Daffodils typically are yellow or white but can also be pink or orange, can have one or two colors, and come in a wide variety of sizes. Different types bloom at various times throughout the summer so you can have blooms for months. They multiply quickly over the years and should be divided when the clumps get thick.

Hyacinths come in a wide variety of colors, including blue, which contrasts the yellow of daffodils beautifully in the garden. They have a strong, sweet fragrance, so they are lovely to have potted indoors or planted near an entrance.

Tulips come in nearly every color you could imagine and there are numerous varieties. Some can grow to 4 foot tall! They make a colorful impact in the garden but tend to fade over the years so they need to be replaced.

Spring bulbs are typically shipped to arrive for planting in the fall, but you can put the plants in your garden now for your enjoyment today and for years to come. I like to get the plants when they are discounted after Easter, put them in the garden, and forget all about them until I am pleasantly surprised in the spring!