#11 Checkered Lily

Notable for its mottled, pixelated petals, checkered lily provides a fascinating display of downward-facing, bell-shaped flowers in mid-spring. Blooms may be various shades of purple or white, veined and tinged with lighter or darker hues that give it its unusual checkerboard appearance.

#12 Hyacinth

Hyacinth is a popular springtime bulb that blossoms in dense spikes of small, lilac-like flowers in blue, purple, pink, red, or white. It’s also esteemed for its intense fragrance that fills the surrounding air with a rich perfume.

#13 Spanish Bluebell

Spanish bluebell is a graceful beauty that adds color and texture to the early garden. A clumping plant, each bulb bears 2 to 6 strappy leaves at its base, with a single upright raceme arising above the foliage. The flower stem can reach a height of about 18 inches, each containing a dozen or more nodding lavender to the blue inflorescence. It propagates easily as well, through self-seeding and bulb offsets.

#14 Ornamental Onion

Popping up later in spring, Allium Giganteum – or giant onion. The flowers are a vibrant purple, composed of numerous and tiny star-shaped florets that take the form of a dense sphere. When flowerheads are disturbed, they emit the sweet scent of onions.

#15 Crown Imperial

Crown imperial is a striking and unusual late spring bloomer that towers over most other plants. It blooms with an array of downward-facing, lily-like flowers in orange, red, or yellow. The blooms are topped by an impressive crown of leafy bracts. Emitting a musky odor, crown imperial’s fragrance is said to repel mice, moles, and other small critters.