March Blooms

Come March, native spring ephemerals and early spring bulbs begin to bloom all around the Garden. As you explore in March, be on the lookout for these pops of color returning to the grounds.

Light purple crocus bloom from under leaf litter.

Spring crocus (Crocus spp. and cultivars)
The Crocus genus contains more than 85 species with some flowering in the spring and others in autumn. They are native to the eastern Mediterranean but have been cultivated for use in gardens all over the world. When in bloom, spring crocuses can grow up to eight inches in height and showcase white, yellow, or purple flowers. Crocuses appear above ground on a tall tube and have narrow leaves. At the Garden, spring crocuses bloom as early as the end of February and often continue throughout March and into April.
Location(s): Throughout the Garden

The blue flowers of siberian squill bloom in a garden bed.

Siberian squill (Scilla siberica)
Scilla are early growing bulbs with nodding star-shaped blooms. The small plant produces three to four flowering stems, each with one to three deep blue flowers. The blooms appear in early spring, shortly after snowdrops (Galanthus) and other early spring flowers and often stay in bloom through April.
Location(s): The Lawn, Cottage, and Entry Gardens, and Garden of Inspiration 

Two snowdrop flowers bloom around a wintry backdrop.

Snowdrop (Galanthus spp.)
The common snowdrop is one of the first bulbs to bloom in spring. The white petals stand out against the brown earth and they often grow in clusters. The Galanthus genus contains around 18 species of perennials. Snowdrops are a vital source of early nectar for bees in the springtime. They can be found blooming throughout the Garden from early March through April. 
Location(s): Throughout the Garden, primarily in the Lawn, Secret, and Cottage Gardens

The highlighter yellow colored flowers of witch hazel bloom in The Ramble.

Witch hazel (Hamamelis × intermedia, Hamamelis mollis, Hamamelia vernalis cultivars)
These early witch hazel shrubs include Chinese witch hazel (Hamamelis mollis) and hybrid crosses of Chinese and Japanese witch hazel (Hamamelis japonica). Primarily located in The Ramble, the Garden’s witch hazel collection begins blooming as early as February and continues through March. The striking, spidery-like flowers showcase colors as vibrant as highlighter yellow, bright red, and a calmer red-orange. 
Location(s): Throughout the Garden, primarily in The Ramble, and Winter and Lawn Gardens

Light blue and yellow reticulated irises show off stunning detail after blooming through leaf litter.

Reticulated iris (Iris reticulata)
These bulbous perennial irises often have dark blue or violet petals, but the large assortment of cultivars can range in color. Reticulated irises grow low to the ground, only reaching 4-6 inches in height, and bloom in early March through April. These plants continue to produce bulbs under the ground throughout the year. You will often find them blooming in clusters throughout garden beds.
Location(s): Throughout the Garden, primarily in the Lawn, Entry, and Winter Gardens

Indigo colored blooms of glory of the snow bloom in a clump.

Glory of the snow (Scilla luciliae)
This early spring flower is native to Turkey but has been widely cultivated to grow in a carpet-like form across garden beds. The plant typically blooms from March through April with six-petaled, lilac or violet upward facing flowers. One of the first blooming bulbous perennials, glory of the snow is often confused for scilla, which has similar looking flowers that appear around the same time. 
Location(s): Throughout the Garden, primarily in the Lawn and Entry Gardens, and the Garden of Inspiration