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4 Flowering Bulbs to Plant in Early Winter

December 2, 2025
, Plants

As the season shifts quickly from the crisp, cool autumn air into the biting temperature of winter, there is one final outdoor task you will want to add to your winter landscaping chores. In Texas, late fall or early winter is exactly the right time to plant bulbs. Whether you have a special place in your garden set aside for this purpose or use containers, getting the bulbs in the dirt now will bring a parade of blooms in the early spring. Here you will find our favorite 4 perennial flowering bulbs to plant in North Texas early winter.

Daffodils

Also known as Narcissus, Daffodils are one of the earliest blooming flowers to herald in the spring. You should start seeing the Daffodil come to life in February and continue through March. Available in either white or yellow blooms, Daffodils form a trumpet-like bloom with six petals. Each bulb produces a cluster of many blooms and blades of foliage reaching around 12-18 inches tall. Plant the bulbs about 6 inches deep in an area that receives part sun. To allow your Daffodil to return the following year, make sure to allow the foliage to die back completely and keep the area well mulched.

Spring Starflower

Almost a groundcover plant, Spring Starflower can form a breathtaking border flower or accent in any container planting. Reaching a height of only 6 inches, Spring Starflower blooms are light and dark blue and form a six petal star. The blooms grow out of mounding foliage, which looks similar to Mondo grass. Plant your Spring Starflower bulb about 2-3 inches deep in an area that is partially sunny. Your Spring Starflower will bloom throughout February and March. Allow the plant to die naturally, and then keep the bulb undisturbed to ensure it will return next spring.

Grape Hyacinth

Very similar to Spring Starflower, Grape Hyacinth is a low-growing plant with bright blue blooms. The blooms on the Grape Hyacinth are easily identified by their cluster on top of a thick stem (similar to a cluster of grapes, hence the name). Reaching a maximum height of 5-6 inches, Grape Hyacinth is perfect for the borders of your garden beds or around the perimeter of a container. Plant your Grape Hyacinth 3 to 4 inches deep in an area with good drainage and partial sun. After blooming in February and part of March, allow your Grape Hyacinth to die back completely, and then keep the area mulched and ready for next spring.

Tulips

Last but not least on our list of favorite flowering bulbs is the Tulip. Tulips can be grown easily in a container or in your garden bed. Either way, they should be planted 6-8 inches in well-draining soil and placed in an area that receives at least some sunlight. Tulips have a very short blooming cycle in Texas, as they prefer cooler temperatures. The bulbs you plant in the early winter should bloom in early March and flower for 1-2 weeks. However, they are worth it! As for what to do with your Tulip after it has bloomed, the answer will depend on the type of Tulip you have planted. There are some tulip varieties, like “Texas Tulip” or “Lady Tulip,” that can withstand our warmer temperatures and come back every year. If you have this type of Tulip, then treat it like a perennial and allow it to die naturally and go dormant so it can return next year. However, most Tulip bulbs will not survive the Texas heat, and the bulbs should be dug up and purchased again in the fall. However, if you are a true Tulip enthusiast, you can always try your hand at reusing the bulbs. Once the blooming is over and the foliage has died back, simply dig the bulb up, dry it out completely, and then store the bulb in a cool place until you are ready to plant it with other winter foliage again in late fall or early winter.

Planting bulbs is a great practice to integrate into your winter landscaping tasks. It can be simple enough for any novice to drop a few bulbs in a pot or complex enough for a master gardener to plan three to four layers of early spring blooms. Either way, planting bulbs takes little physical effort or winter maintenance and offers a glorious payoff at the start of each spring season.