Flower Bulbs Buying Guide

Contents [Hide] 1 Popular Bulbs     1.1 Tulips     1.2 Daffodils     1.3 Lilies     1.4 Hyacinths     1.5 Irises 2 Other Flowers

Bulbs are a great way to add a splash of color to your garden in the spring. Before you buy your annuals and before your perennials are ready to flower, bulbs have started pushing their pretty heads through the soil. Crocuses  and daffodils  are the heralds of spring and beds of tulips  add all the colors of the rainbow to your garden. Bulbs are very popular and numerous hybrids of each flower exist. The ones here are just a sampling of what awaits you in the world of bulbs. Keep in mind that many bulb flowers are extremely poisonous. Don't allow small children or pets near them unsupervised.

Popular Bulbs

Tulips

Tulips  (Tulipa spp.) have been grown for hundreds of years. The name may originate from a mispronunciation of the Persian word for turban.  There are scores and scores of cultivars available, in colors from snow-white  to dark reddish purple.  They are best suited to areas with cold winters.

Tulips  come in a wide variety of colors; the basic shape is the most common.	Butterfly Tulips  have a more open shape, like butterfly wings.	Parrot Tulips  are more open than other forms, and come in bright colors.	Fringed Tulips  look like standard tulips with ruffled edges.	Double Flower  or Peony Tulips  have large, full heads with many petals.

Daffodils

Narcissus spp. are the golden-headed harbingers of spring. Like tulips, they do best in temperate climates with cold winters. Some varieties have a sweet, beautiful fragrance, while others are almost fragrance-free. Unlike tulips, however, you can get daffodils in any color you want as long as it's yellow (or white). From crisp, clean paperwhites to deep saffron orange, daffodils are like sunshine in your garden. 

Daffodils  typically have six petals around a large center trumpet.	Double Flower Daffodils  are very frilly; the trumpet is still present but not as distinct.	Dwarf Daffodils  are tiny both in stature and bloom size. Even their trumpets are relatively small!	Paperwhites  are a fragrant variety of narcissus. They are popular gifts year-round because the bulbs will happily bloom indoors.

Lilies

Lilies make a statement without saying a word, and with more than a hundred different species, you'll be sure to find the one that says exactly the right thing!  They do best in temperate and sub-tropical regions, and are lovely as borders or as patio plants.

Madonna Lilies  are usually white and grow in clusters. Fragrant.	Tiger Lilies  pull back their petals, revealing an intricate pattern. Very colorful.	Oriental Lilies  are highly fragrant and available in many colors, including the popular "Stargazer" .	Trumpet Lilies  have a more pronounced trumpet than other species.	Daylilies  are not true lilies, but have a lily-shaped flower. Generally not fragrant.

Hyacinths

Hyacinths are highly fragrant and long-lasting.  They come in a variety of colors and are great in flower beds or as houseplants, but do best in areas with cold winters.

Hyacinths (Giant Hyacinths)  have tightly packed clusters of fragrant flowers in hundreds of colors, from white to maroon.	Wood Hyacinths  are similar to the wild species. Loosely clustered flowers in white, blue, pink and other colors.	Grape Hyacinths  are actually a different species. Tiny clusters (resembling bunches of grapes) of purple or white flowers with a sweet fragrance.

Irises

Because of its many possible colors, the iris takes its name from the Greek word for rainbow.  If you live in a temperate climate, they would be a perfect addition to your garden. They are especially fond of moist areas and are often seen growing wild along rivers and ponds. 

Dutch Irises are the classic iris shape. Many colors, but "Blue Flag"  is the most popular.	Louisiana Irises  are large, showy flowers that resemble lilies.	Bearded Irises  have ruffled petals and large heads. Many colors are available.	Japanese Irises  are diamond-shaped and have intricately textured petals.	Dwarf Irises  are just like the standard ones -- but much smaller!

Other Flowers

Agapanthus , or Lily of the Nile,  is great for hotter to tropical climates	Amaryllis  is often confused with Hippeastrum  but is a beautiful flowering bulb all its own.	Alliums  are ornamental relatives of onions -- dramatic and rodent-resistent!	Begonias  are flowering plants that prefer tropical and subtropical climates.

Bluebells (Scilla)  flower in early spring, and don't just come in blue!	Calla Lilies  are visually stunning and lovely in bouquets.	Cannas  is a bold and tropical plant, typically red, yellow, or orange with large, showy flowers.	Crocosmia  is commonly known in the US as coppertips or falling stars.

Crocuses  are a great way to have some color in early spring. They sometimes bloom through snow.	Crown Imperial  is historically one of the earliest plants to be cultivated. Beautiful crowns of downward-facing flowers.	Cyclamen  is native to the Mediterranean region, but some are suitable for milder climates. Very popular as a house plant.	Dracunculus  looks tropical, but it actually does best in temperate climates.

Firecracker Flower  is widely cultivated as an ornamental plant for its tubular red flowers.	Freesia  blooms in purple, white, yellow and sometimes pink. The unique, sweet scent makes these a favorite in bouquets!	Glory of the Snow  often appears when the snow is still on the ground... and the colder the weather, the longer they last.	Harlequin Flower  takes its name from its extremely colorful, patterned blooms.

Lily of the Valley  is well known for its drooping clusters of tiny, perfumed white flowers. Especially popular with brides.	Meadow Saffron (aka Autumn Crocus)  flowers resemble crocuses but bloom in the autumn.	Nasturtium , in addition to its sweet smell, is edible. The flowers can be added to salads for visual effect and a peppery flavor.	Peacock Orchids  are native to the Himalayas. These flowers are well-suited to colder climates and even frost.

Persian Buttercup (aka Ranunculus)  add a bit of Mediterranean color (especially red, orange and yellow) to your own backyard.	Snowdrop  is another early spring bloomer. It's drooping white flowers often look down at the snow.	Spring Starflower  blooms best when crowded, and spreads quickly.	Star of Bethlehem (aka Ornithogalum)  likes semi-shaded areas and produces clusters of white flowers striped with green.

Sword Lily (aka Gladiolus)  is a favorite of Dame Edna and Morrissey; it produces tall spikes of flowers in almost any color you like.	Windflower (aka Anemone) , particularly the poppy anemone, are colorful and showy flowers. Red, blue, white and pink are all available.	Winter Aconite  is part of the buttercup family; it is one of the first flowers to bloom in spring.	Wood Lily (aka Trillium)  is the emblem and official flower of Ontario; unusual three-petaled flowers are striking in any garden.