As winter nears its end, the eye is hungry for color. Early spring bulbs can satisfy that hunger and bring a smile to your face as you step out into the garden - or to the faces of those passing by.

Snowdrops are often the earliest flowers to bloom. Here in the Pacific Northwest, the snowdrops first appeared in late December, and mine bloom through January and into February. Their nodding white blossoms, streaked with green, are an assurance that spring will come soon.

Most gardeners are familiar with the giant Dutch crocus, which comes in purple, white, or golden yellow. These are hybrids of the wild species, Crocus vernus, which is native to mountainous areas of southern Europe. While these are among the earliest spring flowers, even earlier are the small wild-type crocus varieties. The snow crocus Blue Pearl grows about two inches high, with perfect pearly-blue flowers. Plant these in a rockery or some place where they won't be lost among larger plants. An elevated planter is a good place for them, so you can look at them eye-to eye.

Chinodoxa, or "Glory of the Snow," is another early flower. Its star-shaped blossoms are usually a light blue. While they spread readily from either seed or bulb, they are not usually invasive.

Many hardy Cyclamen will bloom early in the spring, while their silver-and-green foliage brightens the winter garden. The butterfly-like flowers in brilliant fuchsia add variety to the blues, purples, and yellows of the early spring garden. Though they look tropical, the hardy cyclamen will endure bitter, freezing weather. Be sure to get the hardy Cyclamen coum, not the tender, potted Cyclamen persicum, which is sold as a houseplant. Cyclamen do spread readily, but their large, flat corms can be easily uprooted if they spread beyond the places where you want them.

Scilla siberica, the Siberian squill, is a dainty, nodding blue flower that blooms about the same time as the crocus. If planted in masses, it will form a starry blue blanket in your spring border.

Erythronium, or Trout Lilies, are native to North America. Their nodding, pale yellow flowers are suspended on delicate-looking stems. Erythronium oreganum is a species that grows wild in my area. Its foliage is especially good, with a mottling of red or dark green like the specked sides of a brook trout.

Tulips are associated with late spring, but many of the wild-types bloom much earlier than the pampered Dutch hybrids. Tulipa kaufmannia, the Water Lily tulip, is especially graceful with its cream-and-yellow blossoms touched with pink.

Spring-blooming bulbs should be planted in the fall. They will grow best in well-worked soil with plenty of organic matter, imitating the forest or meadow soils where these plants are native. Some bone meal or rock phosphorous added to the soil increases the available phosphorous, which is needed for good root growth during the winter. If squirrels are a problem, plant the bulbs in wire cages, or cover the soil where they are planted with chicken wire. After they're planted, wait patiently. Or better still, try deliberately to forget that you planted them, so their brilliant appearance will come as a delightful surprise.

Learn more about this author, Karen Bledsoe.
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