Best Spring Bulbs for Wyoming

Tulips pushing through cold Wyoming soil in spring are a sight that a good fall planting earns you. Wyoming gardeners get the best results from bulbs that handle dry ground and hard winters: species tulips, snow iris, crocus, daffodils and alliums.

Best Spring Bulbs to Grow in Wyoming

Bulbs suited to dry, cold conditions do best here, and the winters are cold enough that the chill most bulbs need is never a problem. Wyoming ranges from USDA hardiness zone 3a to 6a, so pick bulbs with the colder end of that range in mind. Species tulips, snow iris and crocus are the best adapted to droughty conditions, while daffodils and alliums add dependable color.

Species Tulips

Species tulips are among the bulbs best adapted to Wyoming’s droughty conditions. They are smaller than the big hybrid tulips and cope with dry soil better. Plant them in September or October so the roots settle before the ground freezes.

Snow Iris

Snow iris is another bulb that handles dry conditions well here. It suits gardeners who want something that does not ask for much summer water. Plant it in September or October along with your other bulbs.

Crocus

Crocus is also well adapted to the dry conditions in Wyoming. The catch is that voles, squirrels, rabbits and deer eat crocus, so plant them where those animals are less of a problem, or accept some losses.

Daffodils

Daffodils are the more reliable perennial bulb and last longer than tulips. Deer and rabbits leave them alone, which matters in a yard that wildlife visits. They also come in a range of heights, colors, flower types and blooming periods.

Hybrid Tulips

Darwin hybrids and Emperor tulips are bred to return for several years, as noted in Washington. Tulips are often short-lived in the garden, so these are the ones to try if you want a classic tulip look. Expect to replace some over time, and protect them from animals that eat them.

Alliums

According to Iowa State University Extension, alliums need the cold of winter to bloom, which makes them easy in a state with cold winters. They are also called ornamental onions, and they bloom at the end of the spring bulb season. Plant them in September or October like the rest.

How to Choose Spring Bulbs for Your Wyoming Garden

Match the bulb to what your yard and schedule can handle. Wyoming winters are cold, summers are dry, and wildlife is often hungry, so a few simple questions narrow the choice quickly.

Plant when the soil has cooled below about 60°F, which keeps the bulbs from sprouting in the fall but still gives roots time to form before the ground freezes.

Voles and squirrels also go after tulips and crocus, so if those animals are common in your yard, lean toward daffodils and alliums.

Which Spring Bulbs Suit Different Parts of Wyoming

Wyoming spans a wide range of elevation and winter cold, so the same bulb can behave differently across the state.

• High country near the Laramie Range and the Snowy Range: Frost is possible in any month at higher elevations, so favor the toughest bulbs such as daffodils, crocus and snow iris.
• Cheyenne and the southeast plains: This area leans toward zone 5 and 6 conditions, so a wider mix of species tulips and hybrid tulips is workable.
• Casper and the central basins: Dry conditions are the main factor, which favors species tulips, snow iris and crocus.

In every part of the state, watch for late freezes, since the frost-free season is short, especially at higher elevations.

Spring Bulb Buying Mistakes to Avoid in Wyoming

Choosing Fragile Bulbs for Cold Winters

Wyoming reaches zone 3a in its coldest areas. A bulb that is not suited to that cold may fail to return. Stick with the types named above, and favor daffodils where winters bite hardest.

Buying Bulbs That Need Artificial Chilling

Tulips and hyacinths need to be chilled in the refrigerator before planting only where winters are too mild. Wyoming winters are cold enough that this step is unnecessary, so skip the extra work and plant in fall.

Cutting Leaves Too Soon

After bloom, remove only the faded flowers. Leave the leaves on until they turn brown, since they feed the bulb for next year. Cutting or tying green leaves costs you next spring’s flowers.

Holding Bulbs Over the Winter

If a bag of bulbs is still unplanted, put them in as long as the ground can be dug. Planting late is better than storing them.

Where to Get Spring Bulb Advice in Wyoming

Local help can narrow the choices for your elevation and soil. University of Wyoming Extension is the state’s main source of gardening guidance, and your county office can answer questions about your own yard.

• University of Wyoming Extension publishes guidance on flowering bulbs that you can read before fall planting.
• Your county extension office can help with local soil and elevation questions, so call before September to plan your planting.

Common Questions

Can You Plant Spring Bulbs in Wyoming If the Ground Is Already Hard?

Plant as long as the ground can be dug. A bulb in the soil late is better than a bulb stored over the winter.

Do Alliums Need Winter Cold in Wyoming?

Alliums need the cold of winter to bloom. That makes them an easy choice for gardeners who want fewer worries.

Which Spring Bulbs Will Deer Leave Alone in Wyoming?

Daffodils are left alone by deer, while tulips and crocus are eaten by voles, squirrels, rabbits and deer.