Top 10 Bulbs & Corms for Early Spring

As the last autumn leaves blow away and the world looks grey and dark, a sprinkling of early flowers works wonders to lift the spirits. It seems appropriate that many early flowers are yellow, a colour that is always cheery and guaranteed to remind you that spring is just around the corner.

Planting a mixed carpet of early bloomers under other plants will ensure they are left undisturbed to spread and give you a stunning display. They are useful in dry areas under trees where other plants struggle, because the bulbs will have died down by the time the trees are back in full leaf. If you want to lift and divide them, do it immediately after flowering and take soil around the roots so they establish more quickly in their new home. Water them well to settle them in, put a label nearby so they are not disturbed and then leave them alone.

Chionodoxa

You will sometimes see these plants named as Scilla as well, due to reclassification. The pretty little “glory of the snow” comes in many colours including blue and white, pure white or pink according to variety. They will naturalise under other plants or in the lawn.

Crocus

Large or small, species or standard mixture, the crocus is synonymous with spring and the sight of the first ones is a sure sign winter is drawing to an end. Their colours include white, yellows and purples and they are ideal for the border, the lawn or pots near the window where you can see them.

Cyclamen

Look for Cyclamen coum, which is a small, hardy species that flowers in spring and is perfect when mixed with aconites and snowdrops under other shrubs or trees. They prefer part shade and a well-drained soil. Once planted, leave them alone to grow for the best flowers. They spread slowly by seed.

Eranthis hyemalis

The bright yellow “winter aconite” is a small, buttercup-like flower that is ideal for planting under other shrubs or trees. They are tolerant of most soils, but do best when conditions are slightly alkaline. They combine well with snowdrops and hardy cyclamen for a stunning spring display.

Galanthus

Snowdrops are a wonderful sight in spring, with their strap-like leaves and nodding white flowers marked in various ways with green. Double forms are also available. The flowers are honey-scented, so it is worth picking a few for indoors so you can appreciate the fragrance.

Ipheion

These small, bulbous perennials have grass-like foliage, and sweetly honey-scented, star-shaped flowers in spring. They are suitable for all situations in the garden as well as containers. Blue, pink and white forms are available.

Iris

Forms of Iris reticulata flower early in spring at the same time as snowdrops. Unlike summer iris, these are bulbous and generally much shorter, at about 15cm (6in). There are many shades available, including purple and yellow. They enjoy full sun and are tolerant of most conditions as well as being perfect for pots.

Muscari

The "grape hyacinth" is a very tolerant plant with scrappy leaves and cone-shaped heads of small flowers in blue, white or pink. They tolerate almost soil and position except dry conditions when they are in flower or excess wet. They spread by seed and will naturalise readily.

Ornithogalum 'White Trophy'

Most forms of Ornithogalum flower in summer, but this one flowers in mid-spring. It is a stunning white flower that is ideal for the front of a border or a pot near the window. Prefers a sunny position or very light shade. Mix with snowdrops and other early bulbs for continuity of flowering through the season.

Scilla sibirica

This bulbous perennial, known as the "Siberian squill" has narrow leaves and purplish stems, each with 2-3 nodding, bright blue flowers. They are ideal for the border, naturalising in the lawn or growing in pots. They will gradually form clumps and spread by seed.