Consider these Blubs and Plants for Zone 1
There are a small group of plants whose growth begins in January, bloom in early spring, by June the leaves yellow and turn brown and in mid-summer leaf-litter can be removed with no trace of the plant left in sight. Depending on conditions and feeding, they are perennial and will bloom in successive years. Due to these plants’ seasonal growth cycle they can be considered in Zone 1, adding color early in the growning season without increasing the volume of plant material during fire season. Details of planting requirements and schedule are provided below. For a good flower show, place plants together in groupings of at least half dozen to a dozen bulbs or plants. The more the merrier.
Poppy Anemone Some varieties of Anemone bloom in spring, others bloom in the fall, carefully select the variety you place in your garden for a spring display. Poppy Anemones thrive in full sun to partial shade. They grow from tubers, have ferny leaves and bloom between April and May, with the leaves dying back after flowering. Rich well drained soil and moderate moisture is preferred.
Crocuses These bulbs should be planted from September through November for an early spring display. They will begin blooming in February and finish in March. Crocus prefers sunny spots. Plant them 2-3” deep and 2-3” apart, pointy side up, root side down. Fertilize with bulb food and water moderately till the rains start. The variety of crocus matters, some will bloom in the fall, so again, choose your plants carefully.
Freesia in the forground, about to bloom, Cyclamen front and center.
Cyclamen can be purchased as plants or as tubers. If planting tubers, soak first for 3 to 24 hours and plant between September to November in a sunny or partial shaded spot. Leaves can be removed in June or July.
These daffodils come up each year in my sidewalk planting bed.
Daffodil bulbs are easy to grow and hardy. Plant September to November in full sun to part shade; they like well drained soil. Dig a hole three times as deep as the bulb. Add some compost to the hole to give the bulb a good start. Do not fertilize. Place bulbs 4-6” apart. They will bloom in February. When the flowers finish blooming, snip them off, but leave the leaves in place. They provide nutrients for the bulbs. Once the leaves have yellowed and dried out, clip them off and dress the site with compost. These bulbs are deer resistant.
Freesia flowers smell wonderful. This plant is grown from corms. It thrives in sun and well drained soil. Plant in the fall for spring blooms. Soaking the corms for up to 4 hours in lukewarm water will accelerate germination. They can be planted 2-3” deep with the tip up, and 3-4” apart. Water the bed after planting. Depending on the variety, the flowers provided can be a foot to 18” tall. After flowering has finished, leave the leaves to feed the corms for the next season and remove the leaf litter before fire season.
Muscari or grape hyacinth has bell shaped flowers and come in shades of blue, white or pink. Plant in the fall in sun or partial shade in well-drained soil, 3” deep, 2-3” apart with at least 25 bulbs to make a show.
Enjoy these plants during the wet season, just make sure to clean up any leaf litter by the time things start to dry out in the summer.