Spring bulbs are among the first flower to bloom in Spring. But in order to enjoy them in the spring some work needs to be done in Fall.

Every summer I peruse the internet and catalogs and look for more bulbs to add to my garden. I chose a reputable source who carries bulbs in the  quantities I need and reserve them online. In the Fall, the bulbs arrive, plump and ready for planting. If you have a few containers to fill, a shovel will do, but if you have large quantities to plant a bulb planter or an auger attached to your drill would be better choices.

One of my favorite and the bees favorite are the large Dutch crocus. They come in a variety of colors including white, yellow and many shades of purple. They come in solid, stripped and multi-colored. Dutch or large crocus prefer a sunny location with moderately fertile soil that is gritty and has excellent drainage. They need to be planted at a depth of about 3-4 inches. You can also try planting them en mass or naturalized in the lawn, they look fantastic in a ‘woodland’ setting or in the front of a border. Be sure not to cut the leaves off your crocus after the flowers are spent. These leaves build up reserves for the bulb to flower next year. This advise should go for all bulbs, allow the foliage to die back naturally, cover it over with a planting of annuals so you don’t have to look at the withering foliage.

An unusual bulb for spring is the Snake’s head fritillay or Checkered lily. Mason bees as well as other early spring bumblebees adore the blossoms of these bulbs. The blossoms are pendulous bell-shaped that are white, purple or pinkish purple. They are recognized by their checkerboard pattern. The Snake’s head fritillary likes damp meadows or woodland type locations. They grow best in moisture retentive soils. They can take full sun to part shade and should be planted at twice the depth of the length of the bulb.

One of the most fragrant of all Spring bulbs are hyacinths. Plant this bulb at a depth of 4 inches. They prefer moderately fertile soil in sun to partial shade. These bulbs are poisonous, so they are a good choice where deer and rabbits prevail.