Flowers that come from early spring bulbs are some of my favorites.  After a long, hard winter, those first little green shoots from daffodils, tulips, irises and other bulb plants are a most welcome sight.  They mean that spring has finally arrived, and their early growth helps us get a splash of color during the time of year when we really need it most.

If you are planning to plant bulbs in the spring, now is the time to order them.  During the winter, they are dormant and can be stored in a cool place such as outdoors or in your refrigerator.  Many home improvement stores begin carrying bulbs around this time of year, which also makes them a great option to give as Christmas gifts.

Some of the most popular bulbs for spring include:

• Daffodil
• Tulip
• Iris
• Crocus
• Hyacinth
• Gladiolus    
• Lily

These are all very easy to grow and would be great beginners projects for someone just getting started with flower gardening.

You can plant bulbs in groups according to color, or stagger them by blooming time, height or complementing shapes.  Bulbs are a beautiful way to start the spring season and can be a glorious sight to behold.  In fact, the Dutch tulip festival is world-renowned and a top tourist destination because of the beauty of field upon field of gorgeous tulips.

You can order your bulbs through popular mail order catalogs such as Burpee and Gurney’s, as well as through their online stores.  There are many reputable shops to order bulbs from, or you can visit your local nurseries to find the best service and local shopping options.