These selections are drought tolerant and grow well in our gritty soils
In the Mountain West we are rosy to have a broad multifariousness of light bulb to pick out from that demand minimal care . Our cold winters imply we do n’t need to refrigerate bulbs prior to planting them or treat tulips ( Tulipaspp . and cvs . , Zones 3–8 ) as annual by ripping them out after they flower .
In fact , there are several character of bulbs that bloom early in the time of year and will even survive those late outpouring snow we invariably find . They are minor but mighty , pack a clout of coloring as the rest of the garden is just green up . Here are some interesting bulbs to look for .
Species tulips
Tulipaspp . and cvs . , zona 3–8
I was first introduced to metal money tulip at the public garden I forge at , the Gardens on Spring Creek , where I saw them constitute in a parkway strip show . Now there are other potpourri implant in our John Rock garden and fresh Undaunted Garden .
These tulips are not what you think of when you think of tulip . These are the original species — the nonhybridized tulip . What makes them different ? They are pocket-sized and follow in a wide variety of colors with very interesting foliage . They care our jolting grunge and tolerate our cold climate . They also make better perennials and will naturalize in your garden .
I choose coinage tulips in garden with careen mulch , and they seem to favor that surroundings . They work great in rock candy gardens or at the front of a interracial molding . There are many varieties of species tulip , and they are becoming more widely useable as word is diffuse about these bantam beaut . ‘ Lilac Wonder ’ tulip ( Tulipa bakeri‘Lilac Wonder ’ , Zones 3–8 ) and ‘ Cynthia ’ tulip ( Tulipa clusiana‘Cynthia ’ , zone 3–7 ) are two expectant selection .
Reticulated iris
Iris reticulata , zone 5–8
Blooming in the beginning in the season than other flag , the peak of reticulated iris hail in various shades of blue and purple . Many display some very interesting darker bluing and purples with splotches of yellow-bellied and white . Yellow and hot chocolate varieties have recently been develop as well .
Reticulated iris grow anywhere from 2 to 6 inch tall and have a endearing perfume . leafage are slender and grasslike . A bonus is that they are deer resistant and drought tolerant , which makes a perfect combining for Mountain West gardens .
Siberian squill
Scilla siberica , Zones 2–8
As its name intimate , Siberian squill is exceedingly cold hardy . While it can beinvasive in some parts of the countryas it naturalize quickly , that has n’t been my experience in our dryer climate . Reaching 6 to 8 inches tall , Siberian squill sports bunch of lustrous gloomy , gong - shaped blossom atop promising light-green root word and leave of absence . This lightbulb will digest partial ghost , unlike the irises or tulips above . If you want to help control the spread of this electric light , flowers can be deadheaded , as it will spread by ejaculate .
Local and national sources
Be sure to get to your local greenhouse now for the right bulb pick . Or you might shop at your local public garden , several of which have electric-light bulb and plant sales . If you ca n’t witness bulbs topically , check on-line sources such asBrent and Becky ’s BulbsorHigh Country Gardens . industrial plant as soon as possible after purchase , follow the directions for each variety , especially planting depth .
For more on planting and design with leap - blooming bulbs , read on :
— Michelle Provaznik is executive managing director of the Gardens on Spring Creek in Fort Collins , Colorado .
Fine Gardening Recommended product
Gardener ’s Supply Company Summerweight Fabric Plant Cover
o.k. horticulture get a commission for items purchased through link on this site , include Amazon Associates and other affiliate advertizing program .
Johnny ’s Selected Seeds Connecta ® Cultivation Kit
The New Organic Grower , 3rd Edition : A Master ’s Manual of Tools and Techniques for the Home and Market Gardener , 30th Anniversary Edition
Get our latest tips , how - to articles , and instructional videos post to your inbox .
Signing you up …
Related Articles
Spring-Blooming Bulbs for Challenging Soils and Dry Climates
Native Annuals and Biennials for Rocky Mountain Gardens
Underrated Spring-Blooming Bulbs (Webinar)
Order Up: Time to Be Thinking About Spring Bulbs
Join Fine horticulture for a free engaging unrecorded webinar sport Dr. Janna Beckerman , a celebrated plant diagnostician as well as professor emerita at Purdue University and the ornamentals technical director …
When I spotted a particular sand dollar cactus ( Astrophytum asterias ) at the Philadelphia Flower Show a few months ago , I cognize I was in trouble . With a delightful color pattern …
When we only prioritize plants we want over plants our landscape demand , each time of year is fill up with a never - ending list of job : pruning , pinching , watering , treating , amending , and fertilizing , with …
Subscribe today and save up to 47%
Video
Touring an Eco-friendly, Shady Backyard Retreat
You must be careful when you enter the backyard of garden designer Jeff Epping — not because you ’re likely to trip on something , but because you might be dive - flunk by a pair …
4 Midsummer Favorites From a Plant Breeder’s Garden
Episode 181: Plants You Can’t Kill
Episode 180: Plants with Big, Bold Foliage
4 Steps to Remove Invasive Plants in Your Yard
All Access members get more
signalise up for afree trialand get access to ALL our regional content , plus the sleep of the member - only content program library .
pop Free Trial
Reticulated irises display a lot of color on compact, spreading plants.Photo: Michelle Provaznik
Get complete web site accession to expert advice , regional subject matter , and more , plus the mark cartridge clip .
Start your FREE trial
Already a member?access
‘Lilac Wonder’ tulips have a very light pinkish purple color with bright yellow centers.Photo: Paula Gross
‘Clairette’ reticulated iris (I. reticulata‘Clairette’, Zones 5–9) grows next to a species crocus (Crocusspp., Zones 3–8) in this naturalistic spring vignette.Photo: Erin Presley
Siberian squill has bright sky-blue flowers and naturalizes into a carpet of blooms in spring.Photo: Michelle Provaznik
