12 Beautiful Bulbs Deer and Rabbits Don't Eat
Daffodil
One of the most recognizable bulbs, daffodil is also among the easiest to grow. Most gardeners know the cheery golden-flowering types, but keep an eye out for extra-special varieties that offer blooms in shades of white, orange, pink, and red.
Name: Narcissus selections
Growing Conditions: Full sun or part shade and well-drained soil
Size: To 16 inches tall
Zones: 3-8
Native to North America: No
Crown Imperial
Spring's most dramatic blooming bulb, crown imperial looks a bit like a pineapple wearing a Hawaiian shirt: The colorful red, yellow, or orange flowers are topped by a crown of leaves.
Name: Fritillaria imperialis
Growing Conditions: Full sun and well-drained soil
Size: To 3 feet tall
Zones: 5-9
Native to North America: No
Siberian Squill
Siberian squill offers some of the best colors of the spring: Its true-blue flowers are truly first rate. This adaptable bulb spreads quickly and is great for planting in your lawn for a carpet of no-maintenance blue color in early spring.
Name: Scilla siberica
Growing Conditions: Full sun or part shade and well-drained soil
Size: To 8 inches tall
Zones: 4-8
Native to North America: No
Allium
It's tough to have a favorite allium -- there are so many wonderful choices. Most offer globe-shape blooms in shades of white, pink, yellow, and purple.
Name: Allium selections
Growing Conditions: Full sun and well-drained soil
Size: To 4 feet tall
Zones: 4-9
Native to North America: No
Fritillaria
This uncommon gem looks like a confection; the chocolate-brown flowers have a candy-yellow tip. Happily, they're not the least bit appetizing to hungry critters.
Name: Fritillaria michailovskyi
Growing Conditions: Full sun and well-drained soil
Size: To 6 inches tall
Zones: 5-8
Native to North America: No
Grape Hyacinth
This little charmer resembles a cluster of grapes in bloom -- the blue, purple, white, or yellow flowers appear in tight clusters. This is one of our favorite spring bulbs.
Name: Muscari armeniacum
Growing Conditions: Full sun or part shade and well-drained soil
Size: To 8 inches tall
Zones: 4-8
Native to North America: No
Bluebells
Perfect for romping through a woodland garden, bluebells produce hanging clusters of blue blooms. Look around and you can find pink- or white-flowering types, as well.
Name: Hyacinthoides hispanica
Growing Conditions: Shade and moist, well-drained soil
Size: To 20 inches tall
Zones: 4-9
Native to North America: No
Dog-Tooth Violet
A charming woodland plant, dog-tooth violet bears lily-shaped flowers in shades of white, cream, yellow, and pink. Many selections also offer speckled foliage.
Name: Erythronium grandiflorum
Growing Conditions: Shade and moist, well-drained soil
Size: To 1 foot tall
Zones: 4-9
Native to North America: Yes
Checkered Lily
We love the charming, intricate flowers of this uncommon bulb. As the name suggests, the purple flowers bear a distinct checkerboard-pattern overlay. The pure-white selections are just as beautiful.
Name: Fritillaria meleagris
Growing Conditions: Shade and moist well-drained soil
Size: To 1 foot tall
Zones: 3-8
Native to North America: No
Glory-of-the-Snow
A charming little bulb that deserves to be a lot better known, glory-of-the-snow blooms early and bears cheery pink, blue, or white star-shape flowers. It's great for letting pop up throughout your yard.
Name: Chionodoxa luciliae
Growing Conditions: Sun or shade and moist, well-drained soil
Size: To 6 inches tall
Zones: 3-9
Native to North America: No
Winter Aconite
One of spring's first bloomers (often before the snow melts) winter aconite bears cup-shape sunny yellow flowers.
Name: Eranthis hyemalis
Growing Conditions: Full sun or part shade and moist, well-drained soil
Size: To 3 inches tall
Zones: 4-9
Native to North America: No
Snowdrop
Snowdrops often greet spring before the snow has gone. These beautiful little bulbs offer butterfly-shape white flowers and are great for growing in the lawn or garden.
Name: Galanthus nivalis
Growing Conditions: Sun or shade and moist, well-drained soil
Size: To 4 inches tall
Zones: 3-8
Native to North America: No