Pictures of Spring Bulb Flowers – A Visual Guide to the Most Popular Spring Bloomers

Spring bulb flowers are some of the most beloved harbingers of the new growing season After a long winter, gardeners eagerly await the first crocus, tulip, and daffodil blooms pushing up through the ground These hardy bulbs provide a burst of cheerful color and signal that warmer weather is on the way.

If you’re looking to add spring flowering bulbs to your garden or landscape, you’ll find there is a wide variety to choose from. This guide will provide an overview of the most popular spring bulb flowers along with useful growing information. We’ll also showcase beautiful pictures of spring blooming bulbs so you’ll know exactly what to expect when yours flower.

Beautiful Spring Flowering Bulbs

Here is an overview of top spring flowering bulbs, along with key details on when they bloom, plant height, and tips for using them in the landscape:

Tulip

Tulips feature cup-shaped blooms in nearly every color except true blue. There are over 3000 varieties! Bloom time is early to mid spring. Height ranges from 5-24 inches tall. Plant tulip bulbs in beds, borders, and containers.

Daffodil

Also called narcissus, daffodils produce cheerful trumpet-shaped flowers in yellow, white, peach, and bi-colors Blooms appear in late winter to early spring. Grows 8-24 inches tall. Plant in borders, rock gardens, containers, and naturalize under trees

Hyacinth

Hyacinth produces intensely fragrant, spike-like flowers in a rainbow of colors including purple, pink, coral, yellow and white. Mid to late spring bloomer that grows 6-12 inches tall. Use in borders, containers, and indoors.

Crocus

Crocus yields goblet-shaped blooms in shades of purple, yellow, white, and striped. One of the earliest spring bloomers that grows just 3-6 inches tall. Ideal for rock gardens, edging paths, and naturalizing under trees.

Grape Hyacinth

Grape hyacinth features tiny, fragrant flower clusters resembling grapes in shades of blue, white, pink or yellow. Mid spring bloomer that grows 4-8 inches tall. Lovely in rock gardens, borders, and pathways.

Iris

The graceful, orchid-like blooms of bearded iris come in every color and pattern. Peak bloom is mid to late spring. Height ranges from 4-36 inches depending on variety. Use in perennial beds, borders, and containers.

Allium

Allium produce spherical, pom-pom like flower heads in pink, purple, yellow and white. Blooms late spring to early summer at a height of 8-48 inches. Nice architectural element for borders, rock gardens, and cut flowers.

Snowdrop

Delicate, nodding white blooms with green markings. One of the very first flowers to bloom in late winter and early spring. Grows just 3-6 inches tall. Naturalize in woodland settings and rock gardens.

Fritillaria

Elegant, bell-shaped blooms that nod gracefully on 18-30 inch stems. Flower colors include purple, chocolate, green, yellow, and orange. Blooms in mid to late spring. Lovely in woodland settings and rock gardens.

Anemone

Poppy-like flowers with crepe paper-thin petals in white, pink, scarlet, or blue. Blooms in mid to late spring at a height of 4-20 inches depending on variety. Nice in woodland settings and rock gardens.

When and How to Plant Spring Flowering Bulbs

Spring bulbs perform best when planted in the fall. This gives the bulbs time to establish roots before winter dormancy. Follow these tips:

• In cold climates, plant spring bulbs 6-8 weeks before ground freezes, usually September-October. In warm climates, delay planting until November-December.

• Choose a site with well-drained soil and proper sunlight for variety. Most need full sun to bloom well.

• Plant bulbs 2-3 times as deep as the bulb is tall. Space smaller bulbs 3-4 inches apart, larger bulbs 4-6 inches apart.

• Water bulbs well at planting time. Fertilize with bulb food to encourage root growth before winter.

• Mulch planted bulbs with leaves, straw or pine needles to prevent frost heaving.

Caring for Spring Bulbs After Bloom

Allow the foliage of spring bulbs to mature completely after blooming. This enables the bulbs to store energy and nutrients for next year’s flowers.

• Allow bulb foliage to die back naturally after blooming. Don’t cut it off prematurely.

• Plant early bulbs alongside later perennials like daylilies or hostas to hide dying foliage.

• When foliage turns yellow and dies back, it can be removed. Mark the spot to avoid damaging bulbs when digging in beds.

• Fertilize bulbs when new growth emerges in spring. Stop fertilizing after bloom time.

• Water spring bulbs regularly if rainfall is lacking, until foliage has died down.

• Lift and divide bulbs every 2-3 years in summer after foliage has died back to reduce overcrowding.

Stunning Pictures of Popular Spring Flowering Bulbs

Now that you know what to plant and how to grow spring flowering bulbs, here is a visual feast of beautiful spring bulb bloom photos. Get inspired to add a burst of spring color to your own garden!

Purple and white crocus blooms

Snowdrops and Crocus welcoming spring.

Pink tulips in bloom

Vibrant orange and pink tulips in full bloom.

Blue and white striped hyacinths

Fragrant hyacinths flowering in a sea of blue.

Purple and white iris

Beautiful bearded iris blooms in spring.

Mixed spring bulbs

A spring mix of daffodils, tulips, hyacinths and muscari.

Allium flower heads

Ornamental allium add sculptural interest to the spring garden.

I hope you’ve enjoyed this guide to pictures of spring flowering bulbs. Plant a few of these beauties this fall and enjoy a gorgeous spring flower display!

Spring-blooming bulbs should be planted in the fall, typically between September and November, depending on your climate.