When do your chionodoxa bloom? I'm interested in getting something in to complement the pasque flowers which bloom quite early and look lonely all by themselves in the garden.

Last year was the first time I'd had them, and they bloomed very early.

Assuming you have the native patens pasque flower, The only flowers that . . . whoops! Sorry, BIG faux pas here with Leaves(assuming). Never mind.

I hope the daffs will do ok Joyce: it's a little late for planting them now. But if we have a late fall like it's been for the last few years, you could be fine. Tulips, of course, are fine planting right up until the ground freezes.

Everyone thinks of springs bulbs as the first color in spring. Not really, although they might be the showiest. Pansies will bloom far earlier than the earliest crocus, and my little 4 inch Iris pumila (not a bulbous iris but a rhizomatous) blooms earlier than daffodils. There is a native trillium that begins bloom in early March. Nearly all Carex species are up and growing, and some bloom in March, although you might say that only a botanist could love their inflorescence. Has anyone tried winter aconite? Another March bloomer(well maybe that is a bulb), and every year I say I'm going to get it, but never do. And there are little (6-24") willows too, that not only have the white catkins, but produce brightly colored stamens all over the catkins to boot!

My favorite bulbs are the botanical (species) tulips, the little Fritillaria michailowskya, the petite daffs and certain viridis tulips.

Rick

Fritillaria michailowskya

Artist (viridis) tulip - a very late tulip

I've become exceptionally fond of Glory of the Snow myself. I also have many different tulips - that all flower at very different times. Blue Pearl crocus are stunning. But nothing beats my bloodroot and wild ginger for early blooms (except my wonderful pussy willows)

-Marie

This far north, nothing blooms in March! But...the earliest to bloom is Bloodroot, followed closely by Hepatica, Spring Beauty (Claytonia virginica) and the Trout Lilies.

Rick - What native trillium blooms in March? The native trillium (T.cernuum) around here is considerably later than the early bloomers mentioned.
Jan

Jan, that would be Trillium nivale, the snow trillium. Rather rare in Minnesota, and difficult to find in the trade. Supposedly more demanding in its cultural requirements, but I have seen it growing in what seems to be just good wildflower garden soil in Mpls. From what I have seen of it growing in the wild, it should be hardy in zone 3, but I can't say what the literature says. I do remember a Carex blooming in mid March in Helen something Scientific and Natural Area(SNA) in Isanti County. I'd bet that one would make in under the wire and qualify as a March blooming plant for you. But the snow would have to be gone first! We have Trillium cernuum wild down here too. Not far from my house, that one blooms even later than Uvularia grandiflora (Large flowered bellwort) and Dentaria laciniata (Toothwort).

Marie, that's another bulb on my list: Blue Pearl. Glad to know the pictures aren't all fluff. BTW, the rabbit got to my witchhazel seedlings in August. I am sure glad I gave you one, as mine are once again in jeopardy.

Rick

I have loved the crocuses since I was little and Easter meant that mom's patch would be peaking through the snow and it was more fun to find them first than it was to look for easter eggs. I planted a big cluster of Ruby Giants this year. I like the Darwin Hybrid Tulips- they come back reliably for many years for me and the yellow ones have a lovely fragrance.

My first to bloom are the crocus along the south wall- Late February was the earliest for them- Really!! But my favorite individuals to look at are the checkered frits and the one tiny blue hepatica I have- for smell, the hyacinth, for mass (planting) appeal the muscari and the many different daffs-
I have found by planting them all over the yard- they all come up at different times- and I can enjoy them over and over again! I can prolong the scent of hyacinth for quite a while by planting in hot spots for early bloom and cooler areas where the snow melts last for later bloom-
Julie