The most popular spring flower is the tulip. It comes in nearly 4,000 cultivars and every color except true blue. Tulips outsell every other spring bulb at garden centers, flower shops, and public displays from March through May.
When I first planted tulips, daffodils, and hyacinths side by side, I wanted to see which one looked best. Tulips won by a wide margin. Daffodils are cheerful but stick to yellow and white shades. Hyacinths smell great but offer few shapes. Tulips gave me reds, purples, pinks, and oranges in forms from classic cups to ruffled parrot styles. No other spring flower matches that range of color and shape.
In my experience, tulips also draw the most praise from visitors. Friends always comment on the tulip beds first. I've tested three seasons of side-by-side planting and tulips get noticed every single time. The bold colors and clean shapes grab your eye in a way that softer blooms can't match.
Tulips rose to fame centuries ago in the Ottoman Empire. Sultans prized them as symbols of paradise. Dutch traders brought bulbs to the Netherlands in the 1590s. By 1637, Tulip Mania had pushed single bulb prices above the cost of a house. That bubble burst but the love for tulips stayed strong. The Netherlands still grows over 3 billion bulbs each year for export around the world.
Other favorite spring flowers hold their own ground. Daffodils boast over 32,000 named types and deer won't eat them. Hyacinths fill your yard with scent that carries across the whole block. Crocuses earn loyalty as the earliest sign of spring. Peonies lead the pack for spring wedding bouquets. Favorite spring flowers vary by region too. Peonies rank highest in the American South. Crocuses win hearts across Northern Europe.
Pick your top spring flower varieties based on your goals. Darwin Hybrids stand tall in garden beds and come back for 2-3 years. Parrot tulips add drama to vases with ruffled petals. Species tulips stay short and spread on their own. They work great in rock gardens and meadow areas.
Plant your tulip bulbs in October or November about 6 inches deep with the point facing up. Space them 4-5 inches apart in groups of at least 10 for the best look. Pick a spot with full sun and soil that drains well. Mix early, mid, and late types to stretch your tulip show from March into May. A bag of 25 mixed bulbs costs around $15 and fills your garden with the most popular spring flower on the planet.
Read the full article: Best Spring Flowers for Your Garden
