* Watch for the animated hummingbird and butterfly with the plants that attract them. *
The deer icon indicates plants that deer are not usually attracted to.

The best time and method to propagate plants can be found on our image-intensive PROPAGATION page.

To help your plants grow their best, check out our FERTILIZATION page.

To create your own plant partnerships based on tried and true color theory, check out our GARDEN COLOR page.

To see if a particular plant is on this page press Ctrl+F, type in the name, then click the Find button.

CHIONODOXA

Sometimes referred to as "snow glories", Glory of the Snow has starry flowers with white centres. Choose from pink, blue or white shades and from small- or large-flowered forms. Plant in autumn 5 inches deep and 1-2 inches apart.

Chionodoxa:  Glory of the Snow

under:  Dianthus (dwarf Alpine & Maiden Pinks)
with:  Pulmonaria, Stachys byzantina
underplanting for:  Iris pallida pallida, Kolkwitzia amabilis (Beauty Bush), Philadelphus coronarius (Mock Orange)
complementary bloom time with:  Galanthus nivalis, Leucojum, Tulipa tarda
springtime combination with other early bulbs:  Scilla sibirica, Scilla tubergeniana, Crocus & Eranthis

interplanted in shade with:  Lamium maculatum 'White Nancy'
with:  miniature Narcissus 'Tete a Tete' or other miniature Narcissus forms
with:  Tulipa tarda, Tulipa kaufmanniana, Crocus (yellow & white) in drifts, early daffodils
with:  Vinca minor
under shrubs:  Forsythia, Philadelphus coronarius, Kolkwitzia
complementary bloom time:  Galanthus nivalis, Eranthis hyemalis, Leucojum

with:  Narcissus 'Tête à Tête' (miniature)

with:  Chionodoxa de luciliae (blue forms)

with:  early-flowering Narcissus
shady combination with:  Galanthus 'Simplex', Muscari armeniacum, Narcissus 'Dutch Master', Narcissus 'Thalia',
Narcissus 'Hawera', Scilla 'Blue Queen'

under:  Tulipa greigii 'Donna Bella'

ERANTHIS

Winter Aconite, only 3-4" tall, co-blooms with many other so-called "minor" bulbs. Its golden-yellow flowers appear and finish, only then to be followed by the foliage. Plant them no later than August. Soak the tubers for several hours first before planting them so the bottom of each is 6 inches deep and bulbs are only 1-2 inches apart.

Eranthis hyemalis:  Winter Aconite

where:  in shade, on woodland banks, as carpeter in shrub borders
complementary bloom time:  Chionodoxa de luciliae (blue), Galanthus nivalis, Scilla bifolia (the earliest-blooming squill)
combined with:  Scilla sibirica, Scilla tubergeniana, Chionodoxa de luciliae, Crocus
with other early bulbs:  Crocus 'Striped Beauty' (purple & white striped), Iris reticulata
do not plant with:  Lamium maculatum 'White Nancy'
under:  Cornus spp.

FRITILLARIA

The Fritillary genus has many types and sizes, very different in appearance from one species to another. Most have bell-shaped flowers in clusters atop long stems. Bulbs should never be allowed to dry out and fertile very well-drained soil suits their needs. Planting depth and spacing will depend on the species.

Fritillaria imperialis:  Crown Imperial Fritillary, brick-red

behind:  early-blooming Tulipa 'General de Wet' (a soft orange)

synonym:  Fritillaria imperialis 'Rubra Maxima'
where:  a sheltered spot in climates colder than Zone 6
in drifts with:  flowering shrubs and foliage perennials
behind:  tall hybrid Narcissus

with:  Tulipa 'Bellona' (an early yellow)

plant:  6" deep, 2-3" apart
where:  partly sunny woodlands
interplanted between:  large Hosta forms, ferns, Dicentra

where:  sun to light shade

IRIS

If you are only familiar with the summer-blooming Bearded and Siberian Irises, you are in for a pleasant surprise with these diminuitive beauties that grow from a bulb. Plant them in fall in sun to light shade at least 4 inches deep and 2 to 3 inches apart. Dry soil after they bloom is to be preferred.

Iris histrioides major:  Harput Iris, a bulbous form, 6-9"

under:  Dianthus arenarius (white)

with other early spring bloomers:  Crocus (yellow), Eranthis hyemalis, Galanthus nivalis, Scilla tubergeniana
with:  Helleborus orientalis, low-growing ground covers
to grow up through:  Dianthus arenarius, Vinca minor, Platycodon grandiflorus
interplanted with:  yellow-flowered Crocus
drifted behind:  Stachys byzantina

under:  Platycodon grandiflorus

LEUCOJUM

Giant Snowflake and Summer Snowflake are both common names for this early bloomer with pendent, bell-shaped flowers that are white with green markings, looking somewhat like Snowdrops. Moist soil in full sun to part shade is best. Plant 5-6 inches deep and 4-6 inches apart.

Leucojum:  Snowflake

to co-bloom with:  Galanthus nivalis, Chionodoxa de luciliae & Eranthis hyemalis

with:  big, bold May-blooming Tulipa, tall Narcissus
in light shade with:  Lamium maculatum 'Album', Pulmonaria 'Sissinghurst White', Myrrhis odorata (for an all-white effect)
above combination underplanted with:  Tulipa 'Spring Green' (white with green veining)

with:  big, bold Tulipa (May-blooming), tall Narcissus or Tulipa

MUSCARI

Grape Hyacinth will seed around your garden, settling in nicely here and there, always welcome. They will grow under shrubs and trees as well as in full sun, preferring rich well-drained soil. Some species send up fall foliage and can be useful as "markers" for other plants. The species M. botryoides is one that does not produce fall foliage. Take your pick from white or blue to blue-purple forms. Plant them 3-4 inches deep and 4 inches apart.

Muscari:  Grape Hyacinth

seen above offset behind clumps of Hakonechloa macra 'Aureola'
where:  around crown of perennials for early colour, along a path, on woodland perimeter under deciduous trees
generally with:  taller bulbs of almost any shade
with:  Tulipa 'Blue Parrot', orange early Tulipa 'General de Wet', early yellow Tulipa Bellona', taller red Tulipa
including 'Red Emperor', white co-blooming Tulipa or species Tulipa forms
with:  Narcissus (white and yellow), Narcissus 'Yellow Cheerfulness' or dwarf Narcissus forms
with other early bloomers:  Aubrieta, polyanthus Primula, Viola including Viola 'Mauve Haze'
hide dying foliage and seedpods with:  hardy Geranium or Iris sibirica
in front of:  Cheiranthus
with:  Anemone blanda, Epimedium, Helleborus orientalis, Pulmonaria saccharata 'Mrs. Moon', Thymus
near:  Iberis sempervirens (pure white)
combined with:  mixed Narcissus under flowering trees i.e. Magnolia or Cherry
under:  Paeonia, Hemerocallis, Phlox, Achillea, Forsythia x intermedia 'Arnold Dwarf'

with:  Primula elatior (pale yellow)

with:  Tulipa 'Bellona' (an early yellow), Narcissus 'Yellow Cheerfulness' & Fritillaria imperialis (a yellow form)

this species has floppier foliage and larger flowers than M. botryoides below
with:  other bulbs (use fall foliage as position marker)
with:  Chionodoxa luciliae 'Gigantea' (largest-flowered, bright mid-blue)
with:  Tulipa turkestanica
combined with:  Hosta 'Krossa Regal', Tulipa (magenta-red double early), Astilbe x arendsii & Pachysandra
terminalis (under deciduous trees for spring sun and some summer shade)

with:  Narcissus 'Thalia' (white), Narcissus 'Hawera' (pale yellow)

this form does not send up fall foliage
the foliage of this species is more upright than M. armenaicum above, but has smaller flowers

complementary bloom time with:  Narcissus 'Hawera', Crocus (spring)

PUSCHKINIA

Striped Squill is an early-blooming bluebell for sunny beds or rock gardens. Plant 3-5" deep and 2" apart in well-drained, sandy soil.

Puschkinia:  Striped Squill

complementary bloom time with:  Narcissus (early)

SCILLA

Squill has bluebell-type flowers and performs best in well-drained soil. Colour, bloom time and preferred exposure will all depend on the species you choose. Most have grassy green foliage. Most should be planted 5 inches deep and 6 inches apart.

Scilla:  unspecified types

with:  Paeonia lactiflora
in shade with:  Mertensia virginica, Pulmonaria

with:  Eranthis hyemalis

the purple form of this minor bulb is in the border around this page, left above and at the top of the page
synonym:  Endymion hispanicus
synonym:  Scilla campanulata
synonym:  Hyacinthoides non-scripta
where:  medium to heavy shade, under trees or shrubs, in woodland gardens
over:  Hosta
under:  Philadelphus or Kolkwitzia
combined with:  Geranium (perennial forms) & ferns

with:  other Scilla forms

synonym:  Endymion or Hyacinthoides
where:  shade, in woodsy soil
under:  Hosta

echo under:  Thymus serphyllum (of a similar soft colour)

behind:  Artemisia schmidtiana nana 'Silver Mound'
complementary bloom time with:  Narcissus (daffodil and jonquil forms)
combined with:  Eranthis hyemalis, Scilla tubergeniana, Chionodoxa de luciliae & Crocus
in shade with:  Lamium maculatum 'White Nancy' (a clear white), Asarum canadense
around:  Doronicum caucasicum
complementary bloom time with:  Anemone blanda, Eranthis hyemalis, Galanthus nivalis
under: Tulipa (May-blooming) or late tall Tulipa of any colour
with:  cream or yellow Intermediate Iris x germanica, Vinca minor, Stachys lanata
with:  Tulipa 'Fringed Elegance' (yellow)
under shrubs:  Philadelphus, Kolkwitzia
under:  Hosta

where:  rock gardens
under spring-flowering shrubs & trees:  Forsythia, Daphne, Magnolia

where:  shrub borders, woodland settings
with:  Iris reticulata
with:  Galanthus nivalis, Eranthis hyemalis

FOR MORE BULBS & THEIR COMPANIONS, FOLLOW THE LINKS BELOW.

• Allium to Hyacinthus
• Narcissus only
• Tulips only

All of our own Gardens By The Bay pages can be accessed by clicking on the links below.

HOME

GARDEN POETRY  |  GARDEN POETRY MUSE

GEORGIAN BAY VIEW

BOTANICAL LATIN - BASICS

COLOR THEORY

THE GARDENS

CORNER GARDEN CONSTRUCTION  |  CORNER GARDEN PLANTING  |  LONG GARDEN

EAST GARDEN  |  HOSTA GARDEN  |  NORTH GARDEN  |  WINTER GARDENS

PLANT PARTNERSHIPS

BLUE PERENNIALS    Aconitum - Geranium  |  Iris - Vinca

BULBS    Allium - Hyacinthus  |  Narcissus only  |  Tulipa only  |  Minor Bulbs

BUTTERFLY MAGNETS    Anaphalis - Hemerocallis  |  Liatris - Veronicastrum
DAYLILIES      Spider & Unusual Form

EDGERS    Arabis - Iris  |  Nepeta - Veronica

FOLIAGE PERENNIALS     Alchemilla - Tanacetum

HOSTA    Hosta - all

HUMMINGBIRD-FRIENDLY PERENNIALS    Alcea - Salvia

ORANGE PERENNIALS    Achillea - Tulipa

ORNAMENTAL GRASSES    Acorus - Imperata |  Miscanthus - Spodiopogon

PINK PERENNIALS    Achillea - Lilium  |  Lychnis - Veronica

PURPLE PERENNIALS    Aconitum - Liatris  |  Polemonium - Veronica

RED PERENNIALS    Achillea - Veronica

SHADE PERENNIALS    Aegopodium - Erythronium  |  Ferns - Polemonium  |  Polygonatum - Vinca

SILVER FOLIAGE PERENNIALS    Achillea - Cerastium    |    Cornus - Limonium    |    Lunaria - Veronica

SIMPLY SPECIAL PERENNIALS    Acanthus - Saxifraga

WHITE PERENNIALS    Achillea - Iris  |  Kalimeris - Yucca

YELLOW PERENNIALS    Achillea - Hypericum  |  Inula - Verbascum

VARIEGATED-FOLIAGE PERENNIALS    Acorus - Erythronium  |  Hakonechloa - Lysimachia  |  Miscanthus - Yucca

PLANT PROFILES

Dianthus 'Tiny Rubies'  |  Geranium  |  Geum coccineum  |  Kerria japonica  |  Knautia macedonica

Paeonia tenuifolia  |  Papaver somniferum  |  Rudbeckia  |  Salvia 'East Friesland'

Trollius  |  Veronica 'Sunny Border Blue'

PROPAGATION

DIVISION - SPRING ONLY  |   DIVISION - FALL ONLY  |   DIVISION - SPRING OR FALL  |   DO NOT DIVIDE

FERTILIZATION

BULBS  |   ORNAMENTAL GRASSES  |   PERENNIALS  |   SHRUBS  |   VINES

LINKS

GARDENS  |   LOCAL GARDENS  |   BOTANICAL TERMINOLOGY

GARDENING BOOKS  |   NON-GARDENING

HOME