Bulbs for Colorado Gardens
At Harlequin’s Gardens, we have been experimenting for years with bulbs in our display gardens. Since our gardens are xeriscapes (by default even where not by design), we have had the pleasure of discovering that a great many delightful bulbs can thrive and naturalize in our conditions and enliven the scene in spring and fall. No surprise, really, since most of these hardy spring and autumn-blooming bulbs originated in parts of the world with conditions much like ours, such as Central Asia. Visitors to our gardens have been wowed by enormous Star of Persia Alliums and brilliant sapphire miniature iris, and charmed by perky miniature daffodils and starry species tulips and crocus. They (you) kept asking us “where can I get these?”, so in 2008, we carefully selected our first-ever offering of bulbs for sale at Harlequin’s Gardens.
Since then, we have added more than 30 wonderful varieties. The bulb list is what we have or are expecting for this fall. Quantities are limited and may sell out quickly. We recommend that you purchase your bulbs in September and hold them for planting when the soil is cooler (except Saffron Crocus and Crocus speciosus, which should be planted as soon as possible). Planting depths are to the bottom of the planting hole where the base of the bulb rests. Planting depth can vary depending on how light or heavy your soil is – plant deeper in light soils, shallower in heavier soils. AS a general rule planting depth is 3 times the height of the bulb. Single Early, Triumph, Darwin Hybrid, and Multi-flowering tulips should be planted 8″ deep to perform as perennials, and fertilized each year just after bloom. Be sure to allow the leaves and stems to wither naturally before cutting them down.
Here are some ideas for ways and places to use bulbs that you may not have thought of. One idea is to plant small early-blooming bulbs, such as many of the species tulips, where the ground is exposed in spring but will be covered in summer by spreading herbaceous perennials like Desert Four-O’Clock (Mirabilis multiflora), ‘Orange Carpet’ California Fuschia (Zauschneria garrettii), or Wine Cups (Callirhoe involucrata). Also, meadows and drifts of ornamental grasses are usually dormant until mid to late spring, and present a perfect stage for a brilliant display of many types of early spring bulbs. Deciduous groundcovers that emerge in mid-spring, like Plumbago (Ceratostigma plumbaginoides), can partner nicely with Iris reticulata and small species tulips.
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. Plant 6″ deep, 6″ apart.
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. Hardy to Zone 5, 3-4” tall.
A wonderful Western US native wildflower bulb valued for its clusters of violet-blue, upward-facing flowers. ‘Queen Fabiola’ is lovely companion for relatively short perennials that bloom in May and June, like ‘Coral Canyon’ Twinspur or ‘Elfin Pink’ Beardtongue. It also makes a long lasting and graceful cut flower. The dark green foliage is slender and grass-like. ‘Queen Fabiola’ is easy to grow in full sun or morning sun and well-drained soil. Late Spring, Early Summer bloom. Hardy to Zone 5A. 6-12” tall.
Blue Glory of the Snow is a deer proof bulb with compact 6-8” spikes of cheerful, white eyed, bright blue flowers in early spring. Chionodoxa is very attractive when planted in large drifts of many bulbs, and naturalizes readily. Plant in full sun or morning sun, 2-4” deep, 16 bulbs per sq. ft. or 4” apart. Cold hardy to Zone 3.
Lovely and easy, this naturalizing Glory of the Snow is among the first flowers of the year, and will succeed in most soils and locations, forming a spreading carpet of glistening white in very early spring. Each 6” stem holds 5 to 10 pure white starry flowers. Consider planting in lawns, under fruit trees, in open ‘woodland’ gardens, rock gardens, and to under-plant early Narcissus. Foliage disappears by late spring. Native to mountainsides in Western Turkey. Cold-hardy to Zone 3, sun to part shade, deer-resistant. Plant bulbs 3” deep and 2-3” apart or 9 bulbs per square foot.
One of the fall bloomers, these heirloom Colchicum are the tallest and most free-flowering of the genus, each corm producing up to 10 big funnel-shaped flowers from 10” to 12” tall. Along with Cyclamen, they are must-haves for the autumn garden. Anywhere from late August into November, without warning come 4-6″ crocus flowers of pink with a pale lilac throats – Surprise! They are fabulous coming up through mid-height groundcovers like Plumbago (Ceratostigma plumbaginoides) The following spring, the wide glossy leaves appear, growing vigorously until mid-spring. A quick multiplier, they are great under shrubs or in any neglected area of the garden in dappled shade to full sun. Cold-hardy to Zone 4.
This wild “snow” crocus bears sweetly fragrant, bright golden yellow goblet-formed flowers with striking deep purple stripes on the outer petals. The blooms appear in February/March. Fuscotinctus grows well in gritty, poor to moderately fertile, well-drained soil, dry to moderately moist. Perfect for naturalizing in any sunny or partly sunny location or lawn, and are also charming in pots. 3-4″ tall. Plant 4″ deep. Hardy to Zone 3.
Dark purple/white 3-4″ tall. Plant 4″ deep. Native to Greece and Asia Minor. Prins Claus “snow” crocus is ravishing and unique, with its large snow-white flowers delicately shaded with blue-purple brushmarks on the outer petals and its rich golden heart, accented with rich orange stigmas. Blooms appear late winter to early spring. Grows well in gritty, poor to moderately fertile, well-drained soil, dry to moderately moist. Perfect for naturalizing in any sunny or partly sunny location or lawn, and are also charming in pots. Hardy to Zone 3.
3-4” tall. Spring Beauty is an elegant and hard-to-find variety with bright lavender blue flowers marked with striking deep violet flames on the outer petals, a paler lavender-purple interior, pale yellow anthers and grass-like foliage with narrow, median silvery stripes.. Outstanding whether planted in large drifts or small clumps in the rockery. Late winter/early spring blooming. A bit shorter than other Species Crocus, Spring Beauty stands about 3″ tall with graceful six-petaled flowers that open and close on sunny days. Deer-resistant, they naturalize readily in well-draining soil and in full to partial sunlight. Hardy to Zone 4
NEW for 2019!
Pendant, bell-shaped white flowers with green-tipped petals are a classic harbinger of spring. They look wonderful planted in groups and may bloom as early as February. Commonly called snowdrop, this bulbous perennial is native to Europe and southwestern Asia. It will naturalize where happy. thrives in rich garden loam in part shade, making it perfect under deciduous trees and shrubs. Zone 3, 3” tall.
Dense columns of waxy, pure white florets appear in mid-spring on sturdy stems. Aiolos has an intense, sweet fragrance and is a long-lasting cut flower. Grows 10” tall. Plant 6” deep and 6” apart. Hardy to zone 3.
Highly fragrant Dutch Hyacinth variety is perfect for spring gardens and for forcing indoors in pots or hyacinth glasses. They are long-lived in the garden if fertilized after blooming, and after the first year they will produce more flower spikes that are less densely packed and more natural-looking and still very fragrant. Hyacinths are very easy to grow in a sunny or partly shaded spot. Plant the bulbs in the ground 6” deep and 6” apart. They will grow to 10” high. Be sure to site them where you will enjoy their fragrance often! Cold-hardy to Zone 4.
Hyacinth ‘Delft Blue’, available pre-chilled, with hyacinth glass
All of these highly fragrant Dutch Hyacinth varieties are perfect for spring gardens and for forcing indoors in pots or hyacinth glasses. They are long-lived in the garden if fertilized after blooming, and after the first year they will produce more flower spikes that are less densely packed and more natural-looking. Hyacinths are very easy to grow in a sunny or partly shaded spot.
NEW for 2019!
Katherine’s Gold is a recently available sport from the pale gray-blue old favorite, Katharine Hodgkin. This lovely new jewel grows 4” tall and has soft yellow and white flowers, with attractive indigo markings on the falls. Katharine’s Gold was awarded a garden merit by the RHS because it is so reliable and easy to establish in the garden. Flowering soon after the snowdrops (often in February or early March), botanical iris quickly develop into gorgeous, densely floriferous clumps and excel in the rock garden or perennial bed. Plant in part to full sun, in well-drained soil. Planting in very hot locations will shorten the duration of bloom. In heavier soil, add expanded shale to improve drainage. Cold hardy to Zone 5.
NEW for 2019!
Native to rocky hillsides from SW and Central Asia (Syria to Afghanistan), this lovely wildflower in the Amaryllis family bears umbels of starry violet-blue flowers with darker midveins above grass-like foliage for 3 to 4 weeks in late May and early June.
Zone 3, 14-18” tall. This uniquely colored award-winner has a 3 1/2″ copper-yellow six-petaled perianth that pales as it matures, and a shallow, bowl-shaped crimson-orange cup. Blooms in April. Deer and rodent-proof
This very floriferous 1930 Heirloom tazetta hybrid should be planted where you’ll notice and enjoy its strong and heavenly perfume. The late-midseason blooms have a dainty orange-red cups surrounded by large pure white petals and the bulbs produce many out-facing flowers on each 14”-16” stem and increase well, making a striking display and provide wonderful fragrant cut flowers. Zone 4-5. Deer and rodent-proof. Plant 6-8″ deep, 6-8″ apart.
Breathtaking pure white flowers. Grows to 14” tall. Plant 6” deep and 6” apart in full sun to light shade. Deer and rabbit resistant. Hardy to zone 3.
This elegant Narcissus has broad white overlapping petals and a small white cup. Grows 16–20″ tall and blooms mid to Late Spring. Deer and Rabbit-resistant! Hardy to zone 3.
Narcissus poeticus ‘Pheasant’s Eye’ is a very old heirloom variety. The wonderfully fragrant blooms have large, star-shaped, reflexed white petals and a small, yellow, red-edged cup with a green eye. The wildflower blooms are both eye-catching and delicate. Blooms in late spring. Zone 3, 14-16” tall. Deer and rodent-proof.
‘Spring Pride’ has white petals and a white trumpet with ruffled apricot-pink fringe. The plant will not leaf out until after the Narcissus have bloomed. Deer and rabbit resistant. Plant 8” deep and 6” apart in full sun to light shade. Hardy to zone 3.
New for 2019!
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. Rodent-proof.
NEW for 2019!
NEW for 2019!
This mix of species tulips in pastel pinks and greenish-yellows is reminiscent of a watercolor painting. The flowers grow to 8” tall. Plant 6” deep in full to part sun. Hardy to zone 3
These adorable Species Tulips have reddish-pink petals with glowing, blue-eyed centers. Plant 3” deep in full to part sun. Lightly fragrant. Grows 4-6” tall. Zone 3.
NEW for 2019!
Persian Pearl Wildflower Tulip is uniquely colored with showy purple-red petals and a bright yellow center. Like most of the wildflower tulips, Tulipa h. ‘Persian Pearl’ multiplies itself readily. Fragrant. Said to be deer-resistant! Early to mid-spring bloom. Full sun to part shade. Thrives in moderate to low-water gardens.
3-4” tall. This is a lovely, very early and very hardy miniature wild tulip with up to 5 clustered, yellow-centered, white flowers per stem. The reverse is shaded with grey-green, marked with green and infused with pale pink. The pink increases in intensity with flower maturity. The flower has a light but pervasive violet scent in sunshine. The narrow, strappy leaves are blue-green. This species can be lifted every few years to separate the bulbs if they become crowded. Plant in a fertile, sunny spot in well-drained soil with some added humus. T. polychroma is native from the E. Caucasus, across N. Iran and NW Afghanistan in steppe, semi-desert and mountainous areas up to 9,800’.
Tulip ‘Pretty Princess’ is a strain of the Tulip Princess Irene, one of the oldest and most popular tulip varieties ever grown and cultivated in the Netherlannds. Tulip ‘Pretty Princess’ has a soft pink color combined with darker pink flames. The foliage has a pure white edging. Grows to 14” tall. Plant 3” deep in full sun to partial shade. Hardy to zone 3.
The full petals of this bright and stylish Amaryllis are a saturated red, overlaid with a white star and accented by stippled veining and a light green throat.
A large white flower with a chartreuse throat. Bulbs may produce 2 or more flower stems, each with multiple flowers
A gorgeous, bright red flower with wide petals. A perfect holiday decoration!