When it comes to spring-blooming bulbs, tulips and daffodils often get all the attention. However, tucked among these popular blooms are the lesser-known, smaller-statured spring blooms: minor bulbs. Small in size but mighty in impact, minor bulbs bring early color to the landscape, naturalize beautifully, and provide a much-needed pick-me-up after a long winter.
Often defined as early-blooming bulbs (or corms, etc.), less than six inches tall, and include spring favorites like snowdrops, squill, crocus, and grape hyacinth, among others. Minor bulbs are perfect for tucking into borders, rock gardens, under trees, or even in low-maintenance lawns. Learn more about these tiny treasures and how to make the most of them in your Midwestern garden.
Care & Planting
Minor bulbs grow well in the same conditions that the more familiar tulips and daffodils prefer. Learn more about selection, care, and planting in this article: Selecting and Planting Spring-Blooming Bulbs.
Glory-of-the-Snow
Glory-of-the-Snow (Chionodoxa luciliae) is one of the earliest spring-flowering bulbs. Flowers are star-shaped, bright blue with white centers. Plant glory-of-the-snow in drifts in rock gardens, borders, and edgings. The 6-inch plants prefer sunny sites. 'Alba' and 'Pink Giant' have white and pink flowers, respectively.
Crocus
Crocuses (Crocus spp.) grow well in either full sun or partial shade. Flower colors include yellow, blue, lavender, and purple. Many blossoms are striped. Plant crocuses in groups of 20 or more of the same color for maximum effect. They are best planted in rock gardens, around trees and shrubs, and among low-growing groundcovers. (Do not plant crocuses in the lawn. The grass will have to be mowed before the plant foliage dies down.) Plants are approximately 3 to 6 inches tall. The Showy Crocus (Crocus speciosus) actually blooms in the fall.
Checkered Lily
Checkered lily (Fritillaria meleagris) is one of several in the diverse genus Fritillaria. They all have distinctive bell-shaped flowers, but some of the similarities stop there. Checkered lily, also called Guinea-hen flower, bears nodding, bell-shaped flowers in a distinctive checkered pattern in shades of purple, bronze, gray, and white. Plants grow 12 to 15 inches tall and do best in full sun to light shade.
Other Fritillarias would not be considered minor bulbs, growing much larger. The Crown Imperial (Fritillaria imperialis) is a striking, unusual 2- to 3-foot plant. Large bell-shaped flowers are clustered atop a 1- to 2-foot stalk in mid-spring. The flowers are topped by a tuft of foliage. Flowers are available in shades of yellow, orange, and red. The crown imperial possesses a rather unusual characteristic. Its flowers and bulbs have a musky, skunk-like odor. The crown imperial does best in full sun to partial shade. Once planted, the bulb should not be disturbed. The Persian Fritillary (Fritillaria persica) produces plum purple, pendant, bell-shaped flowers on 2- to 3-foot-tall flower spikes. Its foliage is grey-green.
Snowdrops
Snowdrops (Galanthus nivalis) are among the first flowers of spring. The 6-inch plants produce white, drooping flowers. The solitary flowers are about 1 inch across. Snowdrops do best in partial to full shade. They are ideal for naturalizing under trees and shrubs or at the edge of woodlands. Snowdrops increase rapidly and soon form dense clumps.
Dwarf Iris
Dwarf Irises are bulbous species that bloom in late winter or early spring. Danford Iris (Iris danfordiae) produces bright yellow flowers with greenish brown blotches. The violet-scented flowers of the Reticulated Iris (Iris reticulata) are blue, purple, or violet with white or yellow blotches on their falls. The blossoms of Harput Irises (Iris histrioides) are light blue to blue-purple.
Dwarf irises perform best in well-drained soils in full sun. They are excellent choices for rock gardens and the fronts of borders. Dwarf irises are generally 3 to 6 inches tall. Because of their small size, dwarf irises should be planted in large numbers to create an attractive display.
Grape Hyacinth
Grape Hyacinth (Muscari spp.) produces urn-shaped flowers (which somewhat resemble grapes) on 6- to 9-inch spikes. Flowers are various shades of blue or violet, but there are also white-flowered varieties. The Armenian Grape Hyacinth (Muscari armeniacum) is the most widely planted species because of its vigor and larger flowers. The grape hyacinths prefer full sun and are best utilized for edging beds and in naturalized areas. Grape hyacinths will often send up foliage in the fall, but will not bloom until the following spring.
Striped Squill
Striped squill, also called Lebanon squill, (Puschkinia scilloides) blooms in early spring. Flowers are white to pale blue with dark blue stripes running down the centers of the petals. Striped squill performs best when planted in large masses. They multiply rapidly.
Siberian Squill
Siberian Squill (Scilla sibirica) produces bright blue flowers in early spring on 4- to 6-inch-tall plants. They are easy to grow and prefer partial shade to full sun. Siberian squill are most effective when planted in masses under trees and shrubs, but are also suited for rock gardens and the edge of woodlands. Siberian squill multiplies rapidly. 'Spring Beauty' has slightly larger flower spikes and deep blue flowers.
Learn more in this article: Siberian Squill: Blue Harbingers of Spring.
Other Minor Bulbs
These species are just the beginning. Consider some of these other minor bulbs as you look through bulb websites and catalogs.
- winter aconite (Eranthis hyemalis)
- trout lily (Erythronium)
- species-type tulips (Tulipa)
- windflower (Anemone blanda)
- trillium (Trillium)
- shooting star (Dodecatheon)
- star-of-Bethlehem (Ornithogalum umbellatum)
- spring beauty (Claytonia)
- Chinese ground orchid (Bletilla striata)