Top Spring-Flowering Bulbs to Plant for a Colorful Garden

Spring Bulb Highlights 

• Plant in fall– Spring-flowering bulbs like tulips, daffodils, and hyacinths are planted before the first frost.

• Easy, colorful impact– These bulbs offer low-effort, high-reward blooms in vibrant colors and even fragrance.

• Top picks, made simple– We’ve rounded up the top spring bulbs to help you plan a garden that starts blooming early.

What are spring-flowering bulbs?

If you’re dreaming of a vibrant spring garden, bulbs are your best-kept secret. These underground powerhouses are planted in the fall and bloom just as the weather warms—bringing fresh color and life to your outdoor space when you need it most. Whether you're working with garden beds, planters, or even window boxes, spring-flowering bulbs are a simple, rewarding way to kick off the growing season.

From early risers like crocuses to bold tulips and fragrant hyacinths, there's a bulb for every garden style. Most are beginner-friendly, resilient, and many come back each year with even more blooms. Below, we’re highlighting some of the most popular spring-flowering bulbs to plant now for a garden that’s full of color later.

Tulips

Tulips are a spring classic—and for good reason. Their bold, cup-shaped blooms come in almost every color imaginable and look great grouped in beds or tucked into containers. Depending on the variety, tulips bloom from early to late spring, making them a versatile pick for staggered color.

Daffodils

Nothing says “spring is here” quite like daffodils! With their cheerful yellow (and sometimes white or orange) blooms, daffodils are deer-resistant and naturally multiply over time, often returning with even more blooms each spring. Most daffodils bloom in early to mid-spring.

Hyacinths

Crocus

Crocuses are among the earliest bloomers, often peeking through the snow to signal that spring is on the way. These petite flowers come in vibrant purples, yellows, and whites, and they’re perfect for naturalizing in lawns or tucking into rock gardens. Some crocus varieties also bloom in the fall—so you can enjoy their charm twice a year. Often referred to as bulbs due to their similar growth habits, crocus actually grow from corms!