Bulbs for Naturalizing

Many spring bulbs are especially well suited for naturalizing. 

They give the garden a “natural” look when planted en masse under trees and shrubs or even in the grass.  They are especially beautiful when planted in great drifts in a woodland setting!

The following is a list of my favorite spring bulbs for naturalizing.

Crocus - brightly colored little cup-shaped flowers 2”-6” tall that thrive and naturalize in lawns. Plant in the fall in full sun to partial shade 3”-4” deep, 2” apart in a light, well-drained soil.

Leucojum aestivum 'Gravetye Giant' (Giant Snowflake) - large, long-lasting lily-of-the-valley type flowers, white with green markings with 2 to 8 on each 18” stem. They flower in late spring. Set bulbs out in fall in full sun or partial shade 5”-6” deep, 4-6” apart in well-drained, rich soil.

Muscari (Grape Hyacinth) - thickly flowered stems with flowers in blues and purples, 6”-8” high. Underplant around shrubs and small trees, at the border’s edge and with larger Narcissus. Plant in early autumn in full sun or partial shade, 5” deep, 1”-3” apart, in well-drained, rich soil.

Galanthus (Snowflake) - usually the first bulbs to flower, sometimes as the snow is on the ground. It has one delicate, bell-like white flower 4”-6” high. Naturalizes well in the lawn or on slopes. Plant in early fall 4” deep, 1”-2” apart in moist, well-drained soil in sun or partial shade.

Scilla hispanica (campanulata) - many gentian blue, white or pink flowers appear on 12”-14” stems in mid spring. Naturalizes under shrubs or in the garden. Plant in early fall in sun to partial shade 4” deep and 4” apart in well-worked, well-drained, slightly moist enriched soil.

Other Bulbs for Naturalizing

Chionodoxa - Glory-of-the-Snow
Darwin Hybrid Tulips
Eranthis - Winter Aconite
Erythronium - Dog Tooth Violet
Puschkinia - Striped Squill
Tulipa - Species Tulips