GRAPE HYACINTH (Muscari)
Sweet fragrance and a brilliant blue color have made Grape Hyacinth long standing favorites. This is the perfect little bulb for massing under trees that haven't yet leafed out. And it doesn't take many bulbs to rapidly spread into a mass planting. For more information read this article from Fine Gardening.
* Height: 4 - 7"
* Bloom Time: Mid-Spring
* Exposure: Full Sun to Partial Shade
* Zones: 3 - 9
SCILLA, SQUILL or STAR OF HOLLAND (Scilla siberica)
These little charmers work best when allowed to naturalize in the lawn. They surprise you every year with a carpet of dazzling blue. If you find yourself looking out the window, searching for signs of spring, scilla won't disappoint.
* Height: 4 - 6"
* Bloom Time: Early Spring
* Exposure: Sun to Partial Shade
* Zones 1 - 9
SNOWDROPS (Galanthus nivalis)
They look like snowdrops and they bloom while the snow is still dropping. If Galanthus has a drawback, it's that it can't take any heat. But just like crocus, Galanthus lets us know that ground is warming. Plant them near a door or walkway for the best view.
* Height: 4 - 6"
* Bloom Time: Very Early Spring
* Exposure: Sun
* Zones: 3 - 9
WINTER ACONITE (Eranthis cilicica)
With its upturned petals and down turned foliage, Eranthis can form a thick clump fast. The yellow flowers generally bloom at the same time as Scilla and dwarf iris and make a nice complement.
* Height: 2 - 4"
* Bloom Time: Early Spring
* Exposure: Full Sun to Partial Shade
* Zones: 4 - 7
ALLIUM
Ornamental onions are among the most deer resistant flowering bulbs. The most commonly know alliums have pom pom like blossoms on top of single, straight stalks. There is, however, a fair amount of variation in the species. Allium schubertii looks like a fireworks sparkler. Others, like Allium unifolium and Allium bulgaricum are bell shaped. You can find alliums in almost every color and height and their bloom times vary throughout the season. Allium are also rodent resistant.
* Height: Varies (4" - 4')
* Bloom Time: Late Spring - Early Summer
* Exposure: Full Sun
* Zones: 4 - 9
CROCUS
The bright colors of crocus are a welcome sign that the soil is starting to warm. Crocus will even bloom in the snow. This versatile little spreader can be used as a ground cover or as an accent. Plant a few by your mail box to make the walk down to collect your mail worth it.
* Height: 4"
* Bloom Time: Early Spring
* Exposure: Full Sun to Partial Shade
* Zones 3 - 9
DWARF IRIS ( Iris reticulata )
You get the familiar iris flower on a low growing, spreading plant that blooms early in the season. What's not to like. You can find Iris reticulata in blues, purples and white. They all blend extremely well with other spring bloomers.
* Height: 4 - 6"
* Bloom Time: Early Spring
* Exposure: Full Sun to Partial Shade
* Zones: 5 - 9
Fritillaria
Fritillaria add a touch of drama to your spring garden. From the dramatic, loud colors of 'Crown Imperial', to the speckles of 'Guinea Hens' (Fritillaria meleagris ), the deep purple of Fritillaria persica, the bi-colors and the creamy white 'Ivory Bells", Fritillaria will be noticed. They look exotic, but they are fuss-free, easy growers. Fritillaria are also rodent resistant.
* Height: Varies (10 - 24")
* Bloom Time: Mid-Spring
* Exposure: Full Sun to Shade
* Zones: 4 - 9
GLORY OF THE SNOW (Chinodoxa forbesii )
Similar to Scilla siberica, Glory of the Snow works best as a ground cover or naturalized in the lawn. Each bulbs provides multiple blue, star-shaped blossoms with white centers, that start to bloom as the snow is melting.
* Height: 4 - 8 "
* Bloom Time: Early Spring
* Exposure: Full Sun to Partial Shade
* Zones: 3 - 9
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