Fall might seem like the wrong time to think about spring flowers, but it’s actually perfect. Many spring-blooming bulbs and perennials need the cold winter months to develop properly.
Plant the bulbs in the Fall, and you’ll thank yourself when everything starts blooming next spring.
Why Plant Flowers in Fall?
Here’s the thing about spring-blooming bulbs – they need a cold period to trigger blooming. This process, called vernalization, happens naturally when you plant in fall.
The bulbs sit in cold soil for several months, which tells them it’s time to grow when temperatures warm up.
Plus, fall planting gives these flowers time to establish strong root systems before they put energy into blooming. The soil is still warm enough for roots to grow, but cool enough that the plants won’t try to sprout right away.
When to Plant
The best time to plant depends on where you live:
- Northern climates (Zones 3-5): Plant from late September through October
- Mid-range climates (Zones 6-7): Plant from October through early November
- Southern climates (Zones 8-9): Plant from November through December
The key is planting after the soil has cooled but before it freezes solid. Aim for soil temperatures between 40-50°F.
The 15 Best Fall Flowers to Plant
1. Tulips
Tulips are the classic spring bulb. They come in pretty much every color except true blue, and they range from 6 inches to 2 feet tall.
Planting details:
- Plant 4-6 inches deep
- Space 4-6 inches apart
- Need full sun to partial shade
- Bloom time: Early to late spring, depending on variety
Pro tip: Plant different varieties for blooms from March through May. Early varieties include species tulips, while Darwin hybrids bloom later.
2. Daffodils (Narcissus)
These cheerful yellow flowers are often the first sign of spring. But daffodils come in white, orange, and pink too. Best part? Deer and rodents won’t eat them.
Planting details:
- Plant 6 inches deep
- Space 3-6 inches apart
- Tolerates partial shade well
- Bloom time: Late winter to mid-spring
Pro tip: Daffodils naturalize well, meaning they’ll multiply and come back stronger each year.
3. Crocuses
These small but mighty flowers often bloom through snow. They’re perfect for naturalizing in lawns or tucking into rock gardens.
Planting details:
- Plant 3-4 inches deep
- Space 2-3 inches apart
- Need full sun to partial shade
- Bloom time: Late winter to early spring
4. Hyacinths
If you want fragrance, plant hyacinths. One flower can perfume an entire room. They come in pink, purple, white, and yellow.
Planting details:
- Plant 4-6 inches deep
- Space 3 inches apart
- Need full sun to partial shade
- Bloom time: Mid-spring
Note: Some people are sensitive to hyacinth bulbs, so wear gloves when planting.
5. Alliums (Ornamental Onions)
These purple globe-shaped flowers add drama to any garden. They bloom on tall stems and look like something from Dr. Seuss.
Planting details:
- Plant 4-8 inches deep (depends on bulb size)
- Space 6-12 inches apart
- Need full sun
- Bloom time: Late spring to early summer
6. Grape Hyacinths (Muscari)
These tiny blue flowers look like miniature grape clusters. They spread easily and create carpets of blue in spring.
Planting details:
- Plant 3 inches deep
- Space 2-3 inches apart
- Tolerates most conditions
- Bloom time: Mid-spring
7. Snowdrops (Galanthus)
True to their name, snowdrops often bloom while snow is still on the ground. These delicate white flowers signal winter’s end.
Planting details:
- Plant 3 inches deep
- Space 3 inches apart
- Prefer partial shade
- Bloom time: Late winter
8. Dutch Iris
These elegant flowers look like miniature bearded iris. They come in purple, yellow, white, and blue.
Planting details:
- Plant 4-5 inches deep
- Space 3-4 inches apart
- Need full sun
- Bloom time: Late spring
9. Fritillaria
These unusual flowers come in many forms, from the checkered patterns of F. meleagris to the crown-like F. imperialis.
Planting details:
- Plant 5-6 inches deep
- Space 6-12 inches apart
- Most prefer partial shade
- Bloom time: Mid to late spring
10. Anemone (Windflowers)
These daisy-like flowers come in bright colors and make excellent cut flowers. Soak the corms in water overnight before planting.
Planting details:
- Plant 2 inches deep
- Space 4 inches apart
- Need full sun to partial shade
- Bloom time: Mid to late spring
11. Scilla (Siberian Squill)
These small blue flowers naturalize easily and create stunning blue carpets under trees.
Planting details:
- Plant 3-4 inches deep
- Space 3 inches apart
- Tolerates shade well
- Bloom time: Early spring
12. Chionodoxa (Glory of the Snow)
Another early bloomer that pushes through the snow. The star-shaped flowers are usually blue with white centers.
Planting details:
- Plant 3 inches deep
- Space 3 inches apart
- Prefer full sun to partial shade
- Bloom time: Early spring
13. Ranunculus
These flowers look like tissue paper roses. They need excellent drainage and work best in containers in cold climates.
Planting details:
- Plant 2 inches deep
- Space 4-6 inches apart
- Need full sun
- Bloom time: Late spring
Note: Soak corms for 3-4 hours before planting.
14. Camassia
These North American natives produce tall spikes of star-shaped flowers in blue or white. They’re perfect for wet areas.
Planting details:
- Plant 4-6 inches deep
- Space 6 inches apart
- Tolerates wet soil
- Bloom time: Late spring
15. Spanish Bluebells (Hyacinthoides)
These tough bulbs produce drooping bells of blue, pink, or white flowers. They spread readily in shady areas.
Planting details:
- Plant 4 inches deep
- Space 4-6 inches apart
- Prefer partial shade
- Bloom time: Late spring
How to Plant Bulbs
Planting bulbs isn’t complicated, but doing it right makes a difference:
- Choose the right spot. Most bulbs need well-draining soil. If water pools after rain, find another location or amend the soil.
- Dig to the right depth. A general rule: plant bulbs three times as deep as they are tall. So a 2-inch bulb goes 6 inches deep.
- Plant pointy side up. If you can’t tell which end is up, plant the bulb on its side. It’ll figure it out.
- Add bone meal or bulb fertilizer. Mix it into the bottom of the planting hole.
- Water after planting. This settles the soil and starts root growth.
- Mulch the area. A 2-3 inch layer of mulch prevents weeds and regulates soil temperature.
Design Tips
- Layer Your Blooms: Plant bulbs at different depths in the same spot. Put larger bulbs like tulips deeper, then layer smaller bulbs like crocuses above them. You’ll get successive blooms from the same space.
- Think About Color:
- Complementary colors (opposite on the color wheel) create drama
- Analogous colors (next to each other on the color wheel) create harmony
- White flowers make other colors pop and brighten shady spots
- Consider Bloom Times: Plan for continuous blooms by choosing bulbs with different flowering times. Start with snowdrops and crocuses, follow with daffodils and hyacinths, then finish with tulips and alliums.
- Natural Planting: For a natural look, toss handfuls of bulbs and plant them where they land. This random spacing looks more like nature planted them.
Common Mistakes to Avoid When Planting Bulbs
- Planting too shallow: Shallow bulbs might bloom the first year, but often fail after that. They’re also more likely to be eaten by animals.
- Forgetting to mark locations: It’s easy to forget where you planted bulbs. Mark spots with golf tees or popsicle sticks.
- Cutting foliage too early: Let leaves yellow naturally before cutting. The plant needs those leaves to store energy for next year’s blooms.
- Planting in wet areas: Most bulbs rot in soggy soil. If drainage is poor, plant in raised beds or containers.
- Adding fertilizer to the planting hole: This can burn new roots. If you want to fertilize, mix it into the soil first or wait until spring.
Caring for Your Bulbs
Once planted, bulbs are pretty low-maintenance:
- Water during spring growth if rainfall is scarce
- Fertilize when shoots appear with a balanced fertilizer
- Deadhead spent flowers, but leave the foliage
- Let foliage die back naturally before removing
- Divide overcrowded bulbs every 3-5 years
Where to Buy Bulbs
Local garden centers have bulbs from September through November. Online sources often have a better selection, but order early – popular varieties sell out.
Buy from reputable suppliers. Cheap bulbs are often small, old, or diseased. Look for firm, heavy bulbs without soft spots or mold.
Final Thoughts
Planting bulbs in fall is one of gardening’s best investments. You do a little work now and get months of color next spring. Plus, there’s something magical about planting a brown bulb and watching it transform into a beautiful flower.
Start small if you’re new to bulbs. Try a few varieties and see what works in your garden. Once you see those first blooms pushing through the spring soil, you’ll be hooked. Trust me – your future self will thank you when everything else is still brown and your garden is already bursting with color.
