• Tulips grow well in zone 5.Hilary Brodey/Photodisc/Getty Images
  
  USDA hardiness planting zone 5 stipulates that the coldest temperatures will reach -10 to -20 degrees Fahrenheit. Any spring bulb that is hardy enough to grow in planting zones 1 to 5, will grow well in planting zone 5. Although these locations have cooler winter months, it's ideal not to have to dig up the bulbs in fall and replant them in the spring. Such is the case if you wish to plant bulbs that grow best in warmer climates.
  
  

Crocus

• Crocus flowers, from the iris family, are one of the first spring bulbs to sprout and bloom. They are well received when planted in USDA planting zones 4 and below. These flowers are 1½ to 8 inches long, depending on the variety. The flowers come in purple, yellow, white or striped coloring. Plant your crocus bulbs in a full-sun location of the garden. Soil should be well drained; this means it should be in a sandy-loam condition. If your soil is clay-based, dig it up and mix in some compost. The three primary types of spring crocus are golden crocus with small flowers; Dutch crocus with larger flowers; and botanical species, which have small, bright colored flowers.
  
  

Tulips

• Tulips are from the lily family. There are many kinds of tulips. However, tulips are one of those flower bulbs that require a chilling period during the cold months. This is good news for cooler locations, as most varieties grow well in planting zone 5. A single, saucer-shape bloom is produced on each stem, when they are mature. This flower can be found in almost every color, except a true black. There are tulips referred to as black, but they are really a very dark red. Some of the most popular tulip varieties for zone 5 are Carnaval de Nice, Charmeur, Esperanto, Garant, New Design, Silverstream, Bright Gem and Red Riding Hood.
  
  

Giant Flowering Onion

• It may be a surprise, but the giant flowering onion bulbs create beautiful pink-purple globe-shaped cluster blooms. The blooms grow 4 to 6 inches in diameter on single stems of 3 to 4 feet tall. These bulbs are from the amaryllis family. They do well in planting zones 5. Plant them in a full-sun location for late spring blooming. This bulb can be planted in a variety of soils, making it easy to grow for the novice gardener. If you don't mind the mild onion scent, these blooms make lovely cut flowers.