Annual Bulb Giveaway
Hope Springs: Fall-Planted Bulbs for March Bloom
Every fall, Bloom Rhode Island gives local groups and nonprofits free bulbs to plant in publicly visible places in Northern Rhode Island that will flower the following March and April.
Fall 2022: 350 bulbs planted by 1 group for March 2023 bloom
Fall 2023: 3,000 bulbs planted by 4 groups for March 2024 bloom
Fall 2024: 168,040 bulbs planted by 34 groups for March 2025 bloom
Fall 2025: 200,000 bulbs will be available for planting!
Instead of daffodils, we primarily give away tinier plants that bloom earlier in the spring, such as crocuses, snowdrops and beauty of the snow. See the list of plants below for 2024.
These are just 3-6 inches tall and work best when planted en masse, by the hundreds, to create a carpet of bloom in a spot close to busy foot traffic, such as a sidewalk. (They are too small to be visible from vehicles.) These are ephemerals - i.e. they pop up, bloom and then die back, leaves and all, by May. So you can put them in lawns that will be mowed or areas that will be weed whacked later in the year.
They are also good for naturalizing. That means if you don't disturb them in the soil after planting, and they like where you planted them, they will return March after March. Some will even spread to make bigger patches.
How to get involved
Qualifying groups and organizations include gardening clubs and not-for-profits with the ability and authorization to plant in spaces next to busy public walkways in dense, urban neighborhoods in Providence, Central Falls, Pawtucket, East Providence, and Woonsocket. Sign up below to get info when our next fall bulb giveaway gets started!
March 2024 flowers from the Hope Springs program
Hope Springs bulbs PLANTED Fall 2024
Snowdrops (Galanthus)
4-6” tall plants with white flowers in early March. Prefer light-mid shade, or a spot that’s sunny in March but shaded by trees leafing out in spring.
Quantity: 10 per square foot
Planting notes: Dig in 3” deep. Should be planted as soon as arrive (no waiting!) Best time is October.
Lifetime: Leaves disappear by early May. Will return following year.
Blue Glory of the Snow (Chionodoxa)
5-6” tall plants with blue flowers in late March. Prefer full sun or part shade.
Quantity: 22 per square foot
Planting notes: Dig in 2” deep. Can plant in fall until ground is frozen in December.
Lifetime: Leaves disappear by mid-May. Will return annually and spread.
Purple Crocus (Multiple Varieties)
4-6” tall plants with purple flowers in mid-March. Prefer full sun or part shade.
Quantity: 10 per square foot
Planting notes: Dig in 3-4” deep. Can plant in fall until ground is frozen in December.
Lifetime: Leaves disappear by late April. May return each year.
Yellow & Purple Blend Crocus Mixture from Colorblends
4-6” tall plants with yellow and purple flowers blooming in sequence in March.
Quantity: 13 per square foot
Best spot: Prefer full sun.
Planting notes: Dig in 3” deep. Can plant in fall until ground is frozen in December.
Lifetime: Leaves disappear by early May. May return each year.
Tommies (Crocus Tommasinianus)
3-4” tall plants with pale purple flowers in early March.
Quantity: 12 per square foot
Best spot: Prefer full sun or part shade.
Planting notes: Dig in 2” deep. Can plant in fall until ground is frozen in December.
Lifetime: Leaves disappear by late April. Will return each year.