10 Early-Blooming Spring Flowers
Here are 10 early-Spring blooming flowers common in the Netherlands, sprouting in bulb fields, along canals, in the woods or wrapped in cellophane near the checkout stand of your local supermarket…
AMARYLLIS
Amaryllis are large solid or two-toned flowers grown primarily indoors. They are a great way to bring color into your world at the start of the new year, as they bloom in the January-February time frame. Grow you own colorful Amaryllis flowers.
CROCUS
Crocuses are typically the first outdoor flowers to pop their heads out of the snow. These trumpet-shaped, mini-tulips can be found in gardens and parks all across Holland in a range of colors from early February to late March. Want to grow your own crocuses?
DAFFODILS
Sunny yellow (or bright white) daffodil (narcis) flowers are prolific in Holland from late February to early April and are commonly associated with the Easter time frame. Seeing them in full bloom is a heads up that the glorious tulips are on their way. Grow your own daffodil flowers.
GLORY OF THE SNOW
Another early Spring bloomer is the Glory of the Snows, a delicate, low-to-the-ground flower that provides the purplish-blue hew found in many a Dutch garden during the February-March time frame. Grow your own Glory of the Snow flowers.
MUSCARI
These bluish-purple stalk-like flowers do indeed look like mini grape clusters up close. Seeing them in bloom from late February to early April indicates the much grander hyacinths aren’t far behind. Grow your own muscari flowers.
TULIPS
We know the Dutch have green thumbs as evidenced by the millions of tulips grown each year in Holland. Large patches of land are covered by vibrantly-colored tulips in South Holland’s Duin en Bollenstreek (Dune & Bulb) region. They can be purchased at every supermarket and flower stand in the country in April. You can also grow your own tulips.
HYACINTHS
Not only do hyacinths rival tulips in their visual appeal, they are also far more fragrant. If you’ve never cycled through Sassenheim or Voorhout when hyacinths are in bloom (around Easter), give it a try. You can also grow your own hyacinths!
FRITILLARIA
These unique downward-facing, bell-shaped flowers can be seen blooming in Holland during the March-April time frame. The Dutch call them ‘Keizerskroon’ (Imperial Crown). See the different varieties of fritillaria.
GERANIUMS
The geranium is a favorite flowering plant for many people living in Holland. They are easy to take care of, have long blooming seasons and are as perfect for a balcony flower box as they are for gardens. Geraniums can start blooming as early as February in the Netherlands, depending on the weather, and will continue to flower throughout the spring and summer. The National Geranium Market is held each year on King’s Day in The Hague.
ANEMONE
Anemone are classic daisy-like flowers with long petals found in a range of colors, including cornflower blue (shown), white and fuschia. They typically bloom from mid-April onward. See the different types of Anemone flowers.
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