Small White Flowers Growing From Snow Covered Ground
zone 5 bulbs
(Image credit: Muzka)

Planting flower bulbs is a fantastic way to get the jump on spring gardening. If you plant bulbs in the fall, you’re guaranteeing color and life in your garden early in the spring, probably long before you’re able to go out and plant anything with your hands. So, what are some good cold hardy bulbs? Keep reading to learn more about growing bulbs in zone 5 and some of the best zone 5 flower bulbs.

Zone 5 Flower Bulbs

When it comes to cold-hardy bulbs, there are actually a number to choose from. Here are some of the most commonly planted bulbs for zone 5 gardens: DaffodilDaffodil bulbs are a popular standard in most gardens. A wide variety of daffodils are available in shades of white, yellow, and orange and in all kinds of sizes. Plant your bulbs in the fall, pointy end up, twice as deep as the height of the bulb. Iris – This genus of flowers includes over 300 species, many of which will grow with no problem in zone 5. Plant iris bulbs in mid to late summer. TulipTulip are very diverse and come in just about any color you could want. Plant tulip bulbs in late autumn for flowers the following spring. LilyLilies come in just about every color and variety you could want, and many are suitable to zone 5 gardening. When you plant your bulbs in the fall, thoroughly loosen the soil and work in plenty of organic material to ensure good drainage. SnowdropSnowdrop are some of the first flowers to emerge in the spring, often while there is still snow on the ground. The bulbs are usually sold green, or undried, so plant them in the fall immediately after you buy them for the best results. Hyacinth – These flowers are known mostly for their heavenly scent that’s associated so strongly with spring. Plant your hyacinth bulbs in early autumn to give the roots time to establish before the first frost. Crocus – The crocus is one of the earliest spring flowers to pop up in the garden. It’s also one of the hardiest, so zone 5 gardens are no problem for this bulb. This is just a short list to choose from. For more information about the best flower bulbs in your region, check with your local extension office.

Liz Baessler
Senior Editor

The only child of a horticulturist and an English teacher, Liz Baessler was destined to become a gardening editor. She has been with Gardening Know how since 2015, and a Senior Editor since 2020. She holds a BA in English from Brandeis University and an MA in English from the University of Geneva, Switzerland. After years of gardening in containers and community garden plots, she finally has a backyard of her own, which she is systematically filling with vegetables and flowers.