Circa 1800, this rabbit-, rodent- and deer-resistant species has tightly compacted, 2"-wide umbels with flat bottoms comprised of deep merlot-purple florets with even darker eyes (ovaries). Adored by bees, butterflies and pollinators, this mysterious heirloom should be planted in substantive clusters for the best effect. It is also lovely interplanted with A. nigrum. Bulb size: 8/10 cm. June. HZ: 4-7. Height: 24" to 34".

A Pacific Northwest U.S. native that’s been cultivated commercially in the Netherlands for a long time, C. cusickii is best grown in moist, fertile soil in full sun to partial sunlight. Unlike most bulbs, it prefers soil that has a bit more moisture. Deer- and rodent-resistant, C. cusickii forms ever substantive clusters of linear strappy foliage around upright racemes studded with dozens of six-petaled, 2", star-shaped pale wisteria-blue flowers with yellow anthers and whisper-green centers. The flowers open sequentially from the bottom to the top. Bulb size: 14 cm/up. Full to partial sunlight. Bloom time in horticultural zone 5: May/June. HZ: 4-8. Height: 24" to 30".

This handsome new M. latifolium sport has a blue-grape base that blends to pale lilac with green buds that open into bright white florets to the raceme’s tip. Bulb size: 5 cm/up. Full to partial sunlight. Bloom time in horticultural zone 5: April/May. Plant 5" deep and 3" to 4" apart. HZ: 4-8. Height: 6" (and even taller).

C. leichtlinii Caerulea Sacajawea is best grown in moist, fertile soil in full sun to partial sunlight. Commonly known as The Wild Hyacinth, Camass, Quamash or Leichtlin’s Camass, Sacajawea naturalizes well when left undisturbed in a good spot. Deer- and rodent-resistant, Sacajawea forms ever substantive clusters of linear, strappy, foliage with distinctive crisp yellow-ivory margins around upright racemes studded with dozens of six-petaled, 2", star-shaped ivory-white flowers with whisper-green centers. The flowers open sequentially from the bottom to the top. Bulb size: 14 cm/up. Full to partial sunlight. Bloom time in horticultural zone 5: May/June. HZ: 4-8. Height: 24" to 30".

Double, mix of colors.

Anemone coronaria. Anemone Giants are long-lasting cut and display flowers growing 12" to 15" tall. The tender corms may be fall-planted outdoors in HZ 8-10 (mulch is a must in HZ 8). In HZ 3-7, hold the corms over the winter in 60°F, dry conditions and plant them outdoors after any threat of spring frost has passed.

Immediately prior to planting, soak the knobby, wizened corms for 2 hours or overnight in room temperature water to promote faster sprouting and root development. Plant the corms 4" to 5" deep and 3" apart in full to partial sunlight and well-draining soil. Don't worry about which end is up: they'll grow toward the sun. Allow the foliage to die back naturally. (In HZ 3-7, lift the corms and store for the winter, or discard. In HZ 8-10, the bulbs will go dormant for several months followed by the next growth cycle.)

Anemone Giants are terrific grown indoors in cool, bright greenhouse conditions without precooling. After soaking, pot the corms closely together, covered with 2" of sterile potting soil in well-draining pots. Place them in a 55° to 60°F greenhouse in light shade until the sprouts are 2" tall, then shift the pots into bright greenhouse sunlight. Lack of flowers or malformed flowers result from too little sunlight and/or too much heat. They flower in 16 weeks or so once potted. Corm size: 8 cm/up.

Circa 1910, H. orientalis Jan Bos has spirea-red florets, or nails, with paler petal edges. Its more slender flowering stalks and bold, vibrant color have won it numerous horticultural awards. Jan Bos is the best red Hyacinth for early forcing. Bulb size: 16/17 cm. Full to partial sunlight. Bloom time in horticultural zone 5: April. Plant 6" deep and 6" apart. HZ: 4-8. Height: 8" to 12".

A floriferous Sonata variety, Christmas Star is brilliant fire engine-red with a green eye accented by a bright white starburst. Its festive 5" flowers stand atop 16" stems. While all Amaryllis are good cut flowers, taller varieties like Christmas Star are particularly good for holiday arrangements. 2025 harvest bulb size: 22/24 cm. After harvest, the bulb may shrink a bit as it dries: it will plump up again once potted and hydrated. For complete storage, planting and care instructions, click Amaryllis Horticultural Tips below.

Dating back to 1665, this statuesque Crown Imperial has a prominent cluster of up to ten pendant, bell-shaped, burnt orange, flushed red flowers with intricate veining under a showy hat of upright foliage atop a strong, almost pole-like, stem. Lance-shaped foliage adorns the lower portion of the flowering stem. Make sure to appreciate its interior beauty: each flower has hazy garnet-edged ivory nectories that look like eyes, and prominent, long, decorative anther-tipped stamen and pistils. Fritillaria imperialis (Crown Imperial) were native to the western Himalayas as far back as 1590. Deer- and rodent- resistant, the bulbs have a rather unpleasant funky, skunky smell. You’ll need about four bulbs per square foot. Bulb size: 20 cm/up. Full to dappled sunlight. Bloom time in horticultural zone 5: April/May. Plant 6" to 7" deep and 8" to 10" apart. HZ: 5-8. Height: 36".

This exceptional, award-winning British hybrid has pendant, somewhat round, densely compacted, double white flowers with green spots, interior green petals with white margins and glaucous foliage with reflexed margins. Bulb size: 6 cm/up. March/April. HZ: 3-8. Height: 5" to 8".

Orange-apricot mix.

Growing 10” to 12” tall, these hard-to-find, claw-like tubers yield long-lasting, camellia-like, ruffled flowers with darker centers and lacy foliage. The tender tubers may be fall-planted outdoors in HZ 8-10 (mulch is a must in HZ 8). In HZ 3-7, hold the tubers over the winter in 60°F, dry conditions and plant them outdoors after any threat of spring frost has passed. Immediately prior to planting, soak the tubers for three to four hours in room temperature water to promote faster sprouting and root development. Plant the tubers 2" deep and 4" to 6” apart in full sunlight and well-draining soil. Plant with the claws pointing down. Allow the foliage to die back naturally. (In HZ 3-7, lift the tubers and store for the winter, or discard. In HZ 8-10, the tubers will go dormant for several months followed by the next growth cycle.)

Ranunculus are terrific grown indoors in cool, bright greenhouse conditions without precooling. After soaking, pot the tubers closely together, covered with 2" of sterile potting soil in well-draining pots. Place them in a 55° to 60°F greenhouse in light shade until the sprouts are 2” tall, then shift the pots into bright greenhouse sunlight. They flower in 10 to 16 weeks or so once potted. Tuber size: Jumbo.