What spring-blooming bulbs are best for Iowa?

Question:

What spring-blooming bulbs are best for Iowa?

Answer:

There are a number of species and varieties of bulbs and bulb-like structures like corms and tubers that grow well in Iowa. Some of these species are readily available from retailers and others may have to be purchased from specialty producers or online retailers. 

Field of tulips
Tulips (Tulipa)

Spring Flowering Bulbs - Large Species

  • tulips (Tulipa)
  • daffodil (Narcissus)
  • hyacinth (Hyacinthus)
  • ornamental onion (Allium)
  • camass (Camassia)
  • crown imperial (Fritillaria imperialis)

Spring Flowering Bulbs - Small Species

  • crocus (Crocus)
  • snowdrop (Galanthus)
  • winter aconite (Eranthis hyemalis)
  • squill (Scilla)
  • trout lily (Erythronium)
  • species-type tulips (Tulipa)
  • reticulated iris (Iris reticulata)
  • grape hyacinth (Muscari)
  • checkered lily (Fritillaria meleagris)
  • Spanish bluebells (Hyacinthoides)
  • snowflake (Leucojum)
  • striped squill (Pushkinia scilloides)
  • windflower (Anemone blanda)
  • trillium (Trillium)
  • shooting star (Dodecatheon)
  • star-of-Bethlehem (Ornithogalum umbellatum)
  • spring beauty (Claytonia)
  • Chinese ground orchid (Bletilla striata)
  • glory-of-the-snow (Chionodoxa)

Learn more in this article: Selecting and Planting Spring-Blooming Bulbs

snowdrop
snowdrop (Galanthus)
winter aconite
winter aconite (Eranthis hyemalis)
hyacinth
hyacinth (Hyacinthus)
squill
squill (Scilla)
checkered lily
checkered lily (Fritillaria meleagris)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Answered by
  • Specialist
  • Consumer Horticulture Extension
Last updated on
March 19, 2024