minor bulbs bring color to the early spring Midwestern garden
Here I go again, wading into the natives vs. non-natives plant debate to urge a bit of compromise. This time my focus is the minor bulbs, those tiny late winter and early spring jewels that herald the awakening of the garden. Long before the native wildflowers arise from their slumber, the giant snowdrop, Galanthus elwesii, has spread its gull wing-like petals and offered its nectar to the first pollinators to emerge.
Galanthus elwesii March 16, 2011
In my Zone 5 garden, G. elwesii always blooms by the end of February at the latest, so that it is ready for any pollinators that appear in March.
Other early spring bloomers that provide food for bees before the wildflowers bloom are the little species crocuses
Crocus chrysanthus 'Princess Beatrix'
and the winter aconites (Eranthis species).
Eranthis cilicia
These little bulbs start winding down just as the native woodland ephemerals get going. So next fall, add a few tiny bulbs to the garden for pollinators and people.
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I love the minor bulbs~They are a treat after the browns and grays of a Middle Southern winter. They provide nectar for early visiting bees~especially the honeybees. I’ve also seen hover flies, ants and what looks like small gnats visiting them. gail
Gail Eichelberger recently posted..Got Wildflowers! Lucky Pollinators!
Those spots of color in the woodland – so pretty. That’s a stunning shot of Winter Aconite!
Well-behaved non-natives are welcome in my garden. Like any other behaviour, good etiquette (on the part of the gardener) and good manners (on the part of the plant) make the difference. After all, tomatoes are non-native in Italy. Yet without them we couldn’t enjoy spaghetti sauce.
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I’ve got Squill, Tete a Tete Daffodils, and species crocus blooming right now. They are quite a welcome relief to see after a very long, cold winter.
Carole Brown recently posted..Get Your Wildlife Garden Ready for Hummingbirds
I prefer natives wherever I can, but when it’s March 29th and we still have 3″ of snow cover and the snow drops are still peeping their tiny heads above the snow, attracting whatever pollinator might be tolerant of this non-spring weather, they are welcomed here!
The single Dutch crocuses are also so cheerful….and the early bumbles seem to find them every time…..but I am still dreaming of crocus (crocii?) here in New England….
*laugh* I don’t think most gardeners who get excited about native plants will be out slapping the snowdrops from your hand. Tiny bulbs like that are generally inoffensive in the garden and as long as it’s well behaved, it’s welcome in my garden!
UrsulaV recently posted..Me and My Mulch
love my spring bulbs and how contented the pollinators are to find them blooming
Donna recently posted..Expectations
My neighbor has iris bulbs coming up in her yard! They look so beautiful. I’m going to definetly have to plant bulbs this next year.
Caren with a “C” recently posted..Making the Food Budget Stretch
Unfortunately here in Texas I guess the average temperature is too warm for these types of minor bulbs to do well. Folks here just don’t grow them – we can’t even grow tulips. I do enjoy looking at your photos though!
Suzanne – I don’t know what part of Texas you garden in, but I’ve seen some lovely species tulips featured on some of the Austin bloggers posts.
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