Spring bulbs you might not have heard of that are just as pretty as tulips and daffodils
Updated . First published
Autumn means it's time to prepare our garden for spring by planting bulbs.
But while daffodils and tulips are the most popular and top of every gardener's list, there are plenty of other bulbs out there to choose from.
These underrated spring bulbs are equally as beautiful and arguably even more striking and unique than well-known bulbs.
Read on to find out what other stunning options you can put in the ground or pots now for a gorgeous display come spring.
Spring snowflakes
For some blooms in your garden before winter ends, try spring snowflakes as they flower quite early.
This plant is suitable to most growing zones in Australia and while it prefers to be in shade it can grow in full sun.
Spring snowflakes look stunning in a garden bed but with their clustering nature are great for pots.
Sparaxis
Easy to grow with a big colourful impact in the garden, sparaxis flowers can be red, orange, pink, yellow and purple.
All sparaxis have a striking yellow and black central detail, making them very unique.
Perfect for beginners, this hardy no-fuss bulb doesn't need attention or maintenance to put on a beautiful show with multiple flowers per stem.
The bulb's South African origin makes it perfect for Australian climates and drought tolerant.
Fritillaria
No, these aren't upside down tulips, these are fritillaria.
This particular type is a snake's head which features a check-like pattern on the petals.
Native to England, they prefer shady spots with well-drained soil.
Babiana
This flower gets its name from the baboons that eat the bulbs of the plant.
Another easy grow bulb for beginners, babianas feature purple, blue, pink and white blooms that look similar to freesias.
Drought tolerant, babiana grows in full sun to part shade and likes well-drained soil.
Perfect for pots thanks to its hardiness, babiana has foliage that clumps in a fan shape contrasted with four to eight flowers per stem.
Spring starflowers
While some bulbs have a short flowering season, spring starflowers grow for a long period starting in early winter until spring's end.
This flower comes in white, light blue and dark blue and produces multiple stems with one flower each.
Like sparaxis, this is a drought tolerant and hardy bulb that you can almost forget about until it starts blooming.
Interestingly, this South American native is a member of the Alliacea family of which onions and garlic are also a part.
Ixia
For a spring bulb that flowers later in the season, consider ixia.
This flower is particularly good for hot and dry areas and is also drought tolerant and hardy.
Each stem features up to 20 star-shaped blooms, giving the plant its other name, wand flowers.
Ixia is available in bright colours like white, pink, yellow, purple and red.
This is a lovely option for those who like to grow cut flowers as the tall, sturdy stems sit well in a vase and the blooms last for two weeks.
Spanish bluebell
Also known as bluebells, Spanish bells are best grown in shady spots.
This flower is popular for planting in borders and under trees en masse.
Flowering in late spring, Spanish bells have blue, white or pink flowers.
Tritonia
Tritonia is native to South Africa and is also called flame freesia.
Tall plants with a long stem and six to 10 blooms on each flower, they make good cut flowers.
Grow in full sun away from strong wind in well-drained soil.
Tritonia comes in orange, white and pink colours.
Lachenalia
For a quirkier looking bloom, try lachenalia, which is also known as cowslip or soldier boys.
Flowering in spring, the flowers change colour going from blue, to mauve and then yellow.
Grow in full sun in clumps in well-drained soil.
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