As Valentine's Day approaches, a panel of Dutch flower bulb experts at the Netherlands Flower Bulb Information Center have listed the "best romantic spring bulbs." They include:
Tulipa ‘Queen of the Night' (pictured here)--considered the blackest tulip, with a dark, deep, velvety maroon flower.
Crocus ‘Romance'--a soft yellow crocus with tight cup-shaped flowers that open wide in the sun.
Narcissus ‘Bridal Crown'--a frilly narcissus that has double flowers with multiple creamy white petals and saffron-yellow cup segments.
Tulipa ‘Passionale'--a medium-tall tulip with large purple flowers that have a red-purple wash on the interior.
Tulipa ‘Angelique'--a long-lasting tulip with blush-pink blooms and a delicate roselike scent.
Tulipa ‘Ballerina'--an exquisite lily-flowered tulip with tangerine-orange flowers.
Tulipa ‘Purissima'--pure milky white tulip that grows 18 inches tall.
Hyacinthus ‘Lady Derby'--a distinctive pink tulip that's been around since 1883.
Hyacinthus ‘Splendid Cornelia'--an unusual mauve hyacinth with a burgundy stem.
Narcissus cyclamineus ‘Jetfire'--an early-blooming yellow narcissus with a red-orange trumpet.
Spring-flowering bulbs should be planted in autumn, so plan ahead and add these romantic beauties to your fall shopping list.
(Photo courtesy of Netherlands Flower Bulb Information Center)