Major Minors
These long-lasting perennial bulbs stand out in a garden ensemble and on their own.
From tiny blooms that goose the last of winter to garden stars that bridge the gap between spring and summer, the following so-called “minor” bulbs complement familiar spring show ponies, like daffodils and tulips. Duly dug and planted this fall, these perennial bulbs will energize the garden for years to come.
Snowdrops (Galanthus sp.) show up early in the new year even if the ground is frigid or covered in snow—proof of life in the garden. Demure white blooms dotted with green nod at the top of 4-inch stems and grassy foliage. Woodland natives, snowdrops prefer light shade and well-drained soil that doesn’t completely dry out in summer. Select named and often costly varieties if you must, but even the commonly available G. nivalis will brighten dark days.
Species crocus, sometimes called snow crocus appear in February, just as winter has overstayed its welcome. Smaller and a bit more elegant than stocky Dutch crocus that bloom a bit later, these garden gems are available in shades of soft lavender and creamy yellow to deep purple and a saturated gold or bright orange.
Provided that you can keep squirrels from devouring the newly planted corms, all crocus are lasting once established and readily multiply. Crocus tommasinianus bulbs, affectionately referred to as “tommies,” are said to be less attractive to furry-tailed rodents, but I’m not sure the squirrels got that memo. Plant pros suggest mixing cayenne pepper into the soil at planting—take care to protect hands and eyes from caustic wafting pepper—or weighing down new plantings with a light piece of wood, like a shingle, until the bulbs begin to root in.
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