After a long winter, the first signs of spring are always welcome One of the most uplifting sights is the emergence of cheery small blue spring bulb flowers Their cool hues create lovely contrast among the yellow and white blooms of early spring.
In this article we’ll look at 25 outstanding blue bulbs to plant for a vibrant spring display.
Grape Hyacinths
Grape hyacinths (Muscari spp.) are some of the most popular small blue bulbs. Their flower heads are crowded with dozens of tiny bell-shaped blooms in shades of blue from pale sky-blue to deep violet-blue. They naturalize readily, creating drifts of color.
- Muscari armeniacum ‘Valerie Finnis’ – mid blue
- Muscari azureum – soft pale blue
- Muscari latifolium – two-tone purple and pale blue
Glory of the Snow
Glory of the snow (Chionodoxa spp.) produce starry blue flowers on short stems in early spring. They spread nicely to form carpets of cheerful color.
- Chionodoxa forbesii – bright blue with white centers
- Chionodoxa luciliae – soft blue bells facing upwards
- Chionodoxa sardensis – rich gentian blue stars
Squills
Squills (Scilla spp.) offer a diversity of blue blooms in late winter and early spring. Many spread vigorously by bulb offsets and self-seeding.
- Scilla bifolia – violet-blue stars with pink buds
- Scilla siberica – rich purple-blue bells, very popular
- Scilla mischtschenkoana – pale blue stars, blooms early
Spanish Bluebells
Spanish bluebells (Hyacinthoides hispanica) bloom in mid to late spring, later than many small bulbs. Each bulb produces dozens of hanging bell-shaped flowers on arching stems. Stunning in drifts.
Siberian Squill
Siberian squill (Scilla siberica) produces pendulous rich purple-blue bell-shaped blooms on 10″ tall stems in early spring. One of the most popular small blue bulbs.
Striped Squill
Striped squill (Puschkinia scilloides) offers pale blue striped flowers in early spring above grassy foliage. The blue stripes radiate outward from white centers. Lovely naturalized in lawns.
Twinleaf
Twinleaf (Dicentra formosa) produces fern-like foliage and delicate hanging clusters of heart-shaped pale blue flowers in late spring. Does well in shade.
Virginia Bluebells
Virginia bluebells (Mertensia virginica) bloom later in spring, with clusters of tubular sky-blue flowers dangling from arching stems. Goes dormant after bloom.
Camassia
Camassia offer taller spikes of blue star-shaped flowers in late spring above strappy green leaves. Different species range in color from pale blue to deep violet-blue.
- Camassia leichtlinii – large pale blue stars
- Camassia quamash – mid blue
- Camassia cusickii – deep blue
Blue-Eyed Grass
Blue-eyed grass (Sisyrinchium spp.) produce cheerful 1″ wide flowers reminiscent of iris blossoms, in shades of purple-blue with yellow centers. Blooms in late spring.
Woodland Forget-Me-Not
Woodland forget-me-not (Myosotis sylvatica) carpets wooded areas and shade gardens with clouds of tiny baby blue flowers and foliage. Blooms in mid to late spring.
Bellflower
Bellflowers offer late spring to early summer bloom in shades of blue, purple, and white. Shorter species work well in rock gardens and edges.
- Campanula carpatica – mounds of bellflowers, blue or white
- Campanula poscharskyana – trailing purple-blue
- Campanula persicifolia – tall blue bells
Balkan Squill
Balkan squill (Scilla bithynica) offers electric blue star-shaped flowers in early spring. Blooms emerge simultaneously with foliage. Spreads nicely by seed and offsets.
Snake’s Head Fritillary
Snake’s head fritillary (Fritillaria meleagris) produces checkerboard flowers in late spring in a mix of purple and white. The bell-shaped blooms nod atop tall stems.
Hyacinths
While most hyacinths bloom in other colors, some hyacinth varieties produce blue blooms. Their flower spikes are intensely fragrant.
- Hyacinthus orientalis ‘Blue Jacket’ – cobalt blue
- Hyacinthus orientalis ‘Delft Blue’ – porcelain blue
Anemones
Some species of spring-blooming anemones, like A. blanda and A. pavonina, produce daisy-like flowers in blue shades. They naturalize to form drifts of color.
Muscari Latifolium
Muscari latifolium offers plump grape-like blooms in shades of blue-purple and darker purple. Blooms in late spring on 10″ tall stems.
Iris Reticulata
Iris reticulata bulbs produce early blooms of purple, blue, or white, often with striping or netted patterns. The blossoms almost resemble pansies.
Star Flowers
Blue star flowers (Ipheion uniflorum) offer lightly scented, pale purple-blue star-shaped blooms in mid to late spring. The foliage has a grassy look.
Winter Aconite
Winter aconite (Eranthis hyemalis) blooms very early in spring with cheery yellow cup-shaped flowers surrounded by ruffled green collars. The foliage has a lush ground cover effect.
Crocus
While crocuses come in a range of colors including purple, yellow, and white, some varieties bloom in shades of blue in very early spring.
- Crocus biflorus – pale silvery blue
- Crocus chrysanthus ‘Blue Pearl’ – pale ice blue
- Crocus vernus ‘Jeanne d’Arc’ – white with blue base
Glory of the Snow
One of the earliest bulbs, glory of the snow (Chionodoxa forbesii) offers starry pale blue blooms with white centers in early spring. Spreads nicely by seed and offsets.
With so many easy and outstanding small blue spring bulbs to choose from, you can create delightful early season color in your garden. Look for bulbs from reputable sources and plant them in fall for a vibrant spring display.
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Flower Bulbs For Spring
FAQ
What are the tiny blue flowers in spring?
What are the little light blue flowers called?
What spring flower grows from a bulb?
What are the blue cluster flowers called?
What are blue flowers in spring?
Hydrangeas are another popular blue flower of spring. These shrubs have large, rounded blooms that come in shades of blue, pink, and white. The color of the blooms is influenced by the acidity of the soil. Hydrangeas prefer partial shade and well-drained soil.
Are small blue bulbs good for spring?
Little blue bulbs are such delightful spring arrivals after a long winter. Here are 10 of the very best to plant for uplifting early colour in your garden Making a lovely contrast to the many yellows and whites of early spring, small blue bulbs are really useful garden plants.
Do blue flowers bloom in spring?
Here are five of our favorite blue flowers that bloom in spring—some at an early time when little else is available to pollinators. In good growing conditions, all of these species will gently spread to form sweeps or splashes that suggest a waterway when the plants bloom.
Are blue bulbs a good garden plant?
Making a lovely contrast to the many yellows and whites of early spring, small blue bulbs are really useful garden plants. This collection of charmers includes grape hyacinths (Muscari), glory of the snow and scillas (both now called Scilla in Latin). They’re all easy to grow and many of them spread well.
What flowers grow in a blue garden?
There are several blue annuals that you can grow in your home garden. One such eample is the Lily of the Nile, which is a stunning blue flower that sits atop a mound of green foliage. Isotoma is another great option, as it produces blue star-shaped flowers and grows low to the ground.
What is a Bluebell plant?
Also called the English bluebell, this plant is a perennial that produces gorgeous blue flowers shaped like bells. These flowers smell sweet and attract many pollinators, making them a good choice if you enjoy butterflies and birds in your garden. They are usually found in shady habitats.