Hardy to Zone 4,  18”-36” tall,

Dense, four-inch diameter globes of starry red-purple florets atop stems up to 24” to 36” tall. Very showy, and the earliest large-flowered ornamental onions, blooming in mid-spring. Thrives in full sun to part-shade, and naturalizes by self-sowing. Stunning, long-lasting cut-flower. The dry seed-heads are also highly ornamental in the garden and in flower arrangements. Grow amid perennials that will mound over the foliage when it has dried, such as Saponaria ‘Max Frei’, or among tall, ‘architectural’ perennials such as ‘Moonshine’ Yarrow. Alliums are resistant to browsing by deer and rabbits.

Hardy to Zone 4,  14”- 24” tall, Plant 6” – 8” deep and 8” – 10” apart

A most surprising, outrageous flower for xeriscapes! The giant globes, to 10” diameter or more, are held on fairly short stems, 8” – 18” tall, blooming in mid-spring. The hundreds of starry, silver-lavender florets each have a green ‘eye’ are arranged so that their petal-tips touch to form a perfect sphere. This easy naturalizer has been highly successful in our xeriscape display gardens, eliciting lots of interest. Also spectacular in large flower arrangements, fresh or dried. Deer and rabbit resistant, and very drought-tolerant. If you don’t want it to naturalize, dead-head before the seeds mature.

Hardy to Zone 5, 3-4” tall,

An enchanting, early-blooming member of the Buttercup family that grows from a tuber. Where happy, it spreads to form a carpet-like groundcover with ferny deep green foliage and 1”- wide open-faced sky-blue daisy flowers with yellow eyes. Provides a long-lasting display in early spring. Works well under daffodils and tulips, in rock gardens, or in masses under deciduous shrubs and trees. Prefers a humus-rich soil, average moisture and good drainage in a sunny or partly shaded location.

Often misnamed ‘Autumn Crocus’ because of its autumn blooming, vase-shaped flowers on naked stems, Colchicum flowers seem to appear magically, rising to 6”-8” without warning among the turning and falling leaves.  ‘Waterlily’ is a spectacular double-flowered 1928 heirloom selection, with silky, lilac-pink petals, and really looks like a double water lily! The broad, 8-10” leaves appear in spring in large clumps and disappear by mid-summer. Colchicums prefers rich, well-drained soil and partial shade; Plant them in front of shrubs, amongst perennials or taller ground-covers that will somewhat hide the foliage. The large, glowing blooms are stunning emerging from a bed of Plumbago (Ceratostigma plumbaginoides), with its deep-red fall foliage and true-blue flowers! Each bulb produces several flowers, and Colchicum can bloom without being planted in soil. An excellent cut flower, lasting 10 days in water. Plant 3 per sq. ft. in a partly shaded location with humus-rich, well-drained soil that doesn’t dry out in summer. Hardy to Zone 5. Deer and rodent-proof (very poisonous).

Introduced 1943
In full bloom mid-February through mid-March, this small round-petalled variety with pale creamy butter yellow blossoms & orange stigma sports one of the toughest blooms of any crocus cultivar. It is “bunch flowering” in that more than one flower arises from a single corm, & a handful of corms can look surprisingly flowery right from the first year. One of the least floppy, with stronger flower stems. It will naturalize well, and increase in number for years to come, being especially long-lived, persistent and hardy.

Hardy to zone 3-4, 2” – 4” tall Native to Southern Europe

Neither ruby-colored nor giant, this very early variety is a bit larger than other ‘Tommies’, but still small. The flowers are velvety deep violet to royal purple, set off by saffron-yellow anthers, and remain upright and sturdy, even on overcast days with flowers tightly shut. They will brighten the winter landscape and provide an early nectar source for honeybees. Blooms earlier than the larger, more familiar Dutch crocus (C. vernus), in February or March (depending on site conditions and weather), when we’re hungriest for flowers. Plant in drifts in flower beds, or under deciduous shrubs, in the lawn, or in the rockery. Naturalizes freely, and the thin, wispy foliage matures and disappears quickly. Rated ‘most rodent-resistant’ by Brooklyn Botanic Garden.

Hardy to Zone 6,   4” – 5” tall

This fall-blooming crocus emerges as a cheery surprise in October or November with bright violet-purple open cupped petals and brilliant orange stigmas, the source of the precious spice, saffron. The blooms are accompanied by short blades of dark green, grass-like foliage which elongates after the flowers have finished and may re-appear in spring. Wonderful in the sunny rock garden, and amongst low, xeric groundcovers such as Turkish Veronica or ‘Tough-as-Nails’ (Paronychia kapela). Saffron Crocus prefers a location that is warm, sunny and dry, with very good drainage and only wants a bit of moisture when it is in flower and active growth.

The classic and beloved Snowdrop, this simple, sweet flower blooms February to March, one of the first reminders that spring is almost here. Common Snowdrops have a single green V marking on the inner segment of the blossom. The linear foliage is like wide blades of grass,and the bloom is like three droplets of milk hanging from a stiff 4 to 8” stem. Preferring moist, humus-rich loamy or clay soils and semi-shade, they are excellent plants for light woodlands or under deciduous shrubs and trees, in rockeries, in lawns, meadows or paths. Snowdrops are long-lived and spread gently by seed and by bulb offsets. They are easily lifted and divided to share or create new patches. Pollinated by honeybees. Deer and rodent resistant, hardy to Zone 4.

Hardy to Zone 5,   3” – 5” tall

A spring gem for dry or moderately watered gardens in shade and part-shade. This long-blooming bulb from Chile and Uruguay sends up a mound of grassy foliage in autumn that persists over winter and begins blooming in early spring, producing a long succession of sweetly fragrant starry cobalt blue flowers through late spring, each atop its own 3” – 6” stem. Multiplies to form a groundcover until summer when the foliage goes dormant. Also lovely planted under taller mid-spring bulbs such as ‘Tete a Tete’ miniature daffodils.

Succeeds in a wide range of soils, but like most bulbs, requires reasonably good drainage.

A member of the Onion family, the foliage smells like garlic when crushed (which makes it resistant to deer and rabbits!).

Hardy to Zone 4, 4” -8” tall, Deer-Resistant, Plant 4” deep and 4-5” apart

Blooming very early, along with species crocus, these miniature irises are brilliant harbingers of spring. They are best for naturalizing in the rock garden or flower border, and increase vigorously. The flowers, though brief, are like richly-colored jewels, and are spectacular when planted in large drifts. Blooms are followed by erect, dark green, narrow foliage. Prefers humus-rich soil, good drainage, and moderate to low water. Natives of Asia Minor. Iris standards are the inner petals that stand upright, and the falls are the outer petals that open downward.

Hardy to Zone 4,   4” -8” tall, Deer-Resistant, Plant 4” deep and 4-5” apart

Blooming very early, along with species crocus, these miniature irises are brilliant harbingers of spring. They are best for naturalizing in the rock garden or flower border, and increase vigorously. The flowers, though brief, are like richly-colored jewels, and are spectacular when planted in large drifts. Blooms are followed by erect, dark green, narrow foliage. Prefers humus-rich soil, good drainage, and moderate to low water. Natives of Asia Minor. Iris standards are the inner petals that stand upright, and the falls are the outer petals that open downward.

Floriferous, sweetly  fragrant and long-blooming, this outstanding naturalizing daffodil bears two to four golden-yellow flowers per 12” – 14” stem in mid-spring, and increases rapidly to form drifts.  The dark green leaves are narrow and reed-like, and easy to hide in the garden while they mature. ‘Quail’ is a beautiful companion for Tulipa bakeri ‘Lilac Wonder’. Plant in full sun or part shade. Hardy to Zone 4.  Deer and rodent-proof.

Hardy to Zone 4, 6” – 7” tall, Deer-proof! Plant with base of bulb 6” deep

A popular heirloom award-winning Cyclamineus daffodil, we have grown this miniature variety in our Xeriscape Rock Garden for many years. The graceful, floriferous early-bloomer has a reflexed, buttercup-yellow perianth surrounding a trumpet-like, darker yellow cup. For naturalizing, rock gardens, border plantings, and forcing.

Potted Paperwhites bring intoxicating fragrance to your home in winter, and make wonderful holiday gifts. Bears trusses of heavily-scented, pure white flowers on up to three stems per bulb. They may be planted in all kinds of decorative pots, vases and trays, either in soil or pebbles, September through February.

Place the bulbs about 1” apart and cover 2/3 of the bulb with stones, marbles or pebbles, or completely cover the bulbs with potting soil. Water, then place them in a light, cool place in indirect sunlight until the foliage stands 3” to 4” high. Move to a sunny location at room temperature and keep them well watered. They will bloom in four to six weeks from planting. If not potting immediately, store bulbs in a dry, dark spot at 50 to 60 degrees Fahrenheit.

A fascinating and subtly beautiful flowering onion with a 5” umbrella-shaped inflorescence made up of pendant ¾” plum, green and white bells that come spilling out of an elegant pointed white papery sheath atop a tall stem.  The flowers are richly endowed with nectar and are eagerly visited by honeybees.  After pollination, each individual flower stem slowly turns upright, until the whole cluster is erect.  Both the fresh flowers and dried seedpods make outstanding cut-flowers. The long strappy blue-green leaves twist in a spiral, and are a garlicky edible treat, traditionally ground up with salt, dried, then sprinkled on tomatoes or salads.  Moderate water, to 18” – 36” tall. Full sun. Hardy to zone 5.

Hardy to Zone 3, 8” – 10” tall, Plant 6” to 8” deep and 6” apart

An elegant yet tough Waterlily Tulip, Heart’s Delight’s petals are carmine-red on the outside and have a pale-rose edge, while the inside is pale rose with a golden base. Plant in a sunny spot with good drainage. Naturalizes freely. Blooms in April/May.

Hardy to Zone 3, 8” tall, Plant 6” to 8” deep and 6” apart

Known as the ‘Waterlily Tulips’, Kaufmannianas have short stems and large flowers with slightly reflexed petals. The blooms resemble waterlilies when fully open (on sunny days) and are also notable for their ground-hugging, wind-resistant foliage, which is often mottled or striped. They can naturalize for years if left undisturbed in a good, well-drained spot. ‘Early Harvest’ is a knockout in our Xeriscape Rock Garden in April/May, where its brilliant orange-scarlet petals open to reveal a paler orange interior, feathered dark orange-scarlet with a yellow base.

Hardy to Zone 3, 8” – 10” tall, Plant 6” – 8” deep and 6” apart

Greigii tulips are famous for their showy foliage, which is often dramatically mottled and streaked with deep purple or maroon markings, and their large, colorful blooms. Their short stature makes them perfect for the rock garden, front of the border, or forcing. The very popular ‘Red Riding Hood’ bears large, long-lasting vivid scarlet flowers with striking black bases in April-May. Blooms just after the Kaufmanniana tulips. This variety has perennialized well in our Xeriscape Rock Garden.

Hardy to Zone 4, 6” – 8” tall Native to Central Asia

This extremely charming little wildflower tulip is a favorite in our Xeriscape Rock Garden. Each bloom-stem is very multi-flowered, and bears a bouquet of 1” starry white flowers with orange-yellow centers. Naturalizes freely, forming showy clumps.

Hardy to Zone 3, 12” tall, Plant 6” – 8” deep and 6” apart

An heirloom variety of Single Early tulip (1845) Couleuer Cardinal is stunning in our Xeriscape Rock Garden in mid-April. The lustrous, cup-shaped, fragrant flowers are smoldering scarlet-red flushed with plum, and are held on strong stems that stand up to wind and rain. Plant amongst summer perennials that will gain height later in the season, such as sages and echinaceas. This variety has perennialized in our garden, and is also known as one of the best potting tulips for Easter.