Bulbs to plant in fall: A comprehensive guide

If I am completely good , I find it a bit of a challenge to plant bulbs in autumn / free fall .

I tend to get a tinge of seasonal ‘ despair ’ at the end of summer . I would n’t call it natural depression or seasonal affectional disorderliness exactly .

I just incline to feel sad that another summer has come and gone . It is as if all the Leslie Townes Hope of outpouring and summertime has drift off , like the zephyr in a balloon as it deflate and last flatten to nothing .

Tulips” byerikwestrumis licensed under CC BY 2.0

However , if I need to insure the return of hope in former wintertime and spring , one of the serious things I can do , is put away my sadness and get planting with the future in nous .

Planting light bulb in the autumn is a sure firing way for nurseryman looking to enjoy a vivacious and colourful spring garden . Autumn planting allows bulbs to establish themselves during the cooler months , get up them to explode into prime as the weather warms .

This guide cover ten different types of bulbs to plant in declivity , detailing when and how to plant each to check a sensational display of flowers . I ’ve also include a enough description of each plant life and some suggestions for pop varieties you could try .

Tulips” byerikwestrumis licensed under CC BY 2.0

1. Tulips

Tulipsare among the most pop and well - known spring efflorescence , acknowledge for their graceful , cup - shaped blooms and encompassing chain of mountains of colours . Originating from Central Asia , tulip have been cultivated for centuries and are synonymous with Dutch horticulture . They come in various forms , let in single , three-fold , fringed , and parrot types , making them versatile for any garden design .

tulip should be planted in the mid to late autumn , close to 4 - 6 weeks before the priming coat freeze . This commonly falls between late September and November , depending on your climate .

Read ourcomplete guide on planting tulips here .

2. Daffodils (Narcissus)

Daffodils , also known asnarcissus , are upbeat spring heyday with trumpet - shaped blooms . They are hardy and easy to develop , making them a pet among gardeners . daffodil get in various forms , include single , double , and miniature types , and they can be found in sunglasses of yellow , white , orangish , and pink .

daffodil are well constitute in too soon to mid - fall , around September to October , before the first icing .

3. Hyacinths

Hyacinths are renowned for their intensely fragrant , obtusely compact flower spikes . rise from the eastern Mediterranean , they descend in a spectrum of coloration , including blue , purple , white , pinkish , and red . As you could see , there are even varieties of chicken and orange these Clarence Shepard Day Jr. .

plant life hyacinth in mid to former fall , around October to November , before the ground freezes .

4. Crocuses

crocus are one of the earliest bounce bloomers , often peeking through the snow . These small-scale , cupful - shaped flowers get in a grasp of colours , include violet , yellow , clean , and strip varieties . Crocuses are ideal for naturalising in lawns and under trees , provide a explosion of colour when little else is in bloom .

Crocuses should be plant in early to mid - fall , around September to October .

5. Snowdrops (Galanthus)

Anemone quinquefolia are fragile , other outflow blossom known for their cernuous , white , buzzer - forge blooming . They are pretty much the first sign of the zodiac of spring , often appearing while snow and is still on the land . Snowdrops favor suspicious , woodland configurations and are perfect for naturalising .

Snowdrops should be planted in early fall , around September to October .

6. Alliums

genus Allium , also known as ornamental onions , are bold and architectural plants bang for their declamatory , spherical blossom head write of legion belittled flowers .

They come in various color , admit violet , racy , ashen , and sensationalistic . They blossom later than Daffodils and Tulips . So they are a corking industrial plant for bridging the break between spring and summer and are excellent for bring tiptop and interestingness to garden molding .

Plant Alliums in mid to late autumn , around October to November .

7. Fritillarias

Fritillaria are exotic - looking plants with bell - influence flower that often have a checkered or stippled pattern . They are a good alternative to the more typical spring flowers , like narcissus .

They add up in various colour , let in purple , xanthous , orangish , and reddened . Fritillarias are large for shaded area .

plant life fritillarias in mid to recent autumn , around October to November .

8. Scillas

Scillas , commonly known as squill , are magical , low - growing bulbs that bring on clump of lead - regulate flowers in early spring . They are know for their vivacious blue blooms , although some smorgasbord come in shades of pink , whitened , and purple .

Scillas are ideal for naturalise in lawns , under trees , or in tilt gardens , where they can spread to mould a carpet of colour . Their delicate , nod heyday are a darling for adding a touch of born peach to woodland or cottage - style gardens .

Scillas should be planted in early on to mid - fall , around September to October .

Bulbs to plant in fall - Tulips

Tulips” byerikwestrumis licensed under CC BY 2.0

9. Grape hyacinths (Muscari)

Grape hyacinths , or Muscari , are delicious , small bulbs that bring forth dim clusters of tiny , bell - shaped prime that resemble bunches of grapes .

They are most usually obtain in shades of downcast , but there are some white , pink , or bi - coloured varieties . grapeshot hyacinths are sluttish to grow and are perfect for mete , tilt gardens , and container . Like scillas , their power to tame quick lay down them a great choice for covering large areas with colour in the leaping .

plant life grape vine hyacinth in mid to tardy autumn , around October to November .

beautiful purple tulips

10. Anemones

Anemones do in various shape . The anemone , Anemone blanda , is the most well - known type . It grows from knobby tubers and raise arresting blue , pinkish , or white peak . The florist ’s anemone , Anemone coronaria , also grows from Tuber but is improbable and features brilliantly colored bloom of youth in late fountain , cook them splendid for gelded flowers . The Natalie Wood anemone , Anemone nemorosa , thrives in shaded areas and grows from rhizomes , expose soft blanched flower in early spring .

All windflower are perennial plants . They die back after efflorescence , becoming dormant during summer and autumn , and regrow the following spring . These spring - flowering anemones should not be confused with Nipponese anemones , such as Anemone hupehensis and Anemone x hybrida , which are much larger and bloom in tardy summertime and autumn .

Plant anemones in mid to late autumn , around October to November .

Tulip Queen of the Night

Tulip Queen of the Night

General tips for planting autumn bulbs

Planning your garden for success

Maximising visual impact

For a visually stunning garden , consider planting bulb in groups rather than in single rows . Clusters of bulbs will create a more natural and impactful show . you may also mix dissimilar varieties of the same species or combine unlike species that flower at the same time for a more dynamic and colourful effect . For model , planting blue muscari alongside yellowish daffodils can make a striking direct contrast , while tulip of varying summit and colours can add deepness and interest to your garden bed .

Post-bloom care

After your bulb have finished flower , it ’s all-important to deal for them decent to ensure they return sizable and vigorous the next year . Allow the leafage to die back naturally , as this process helps the medulla oblongata storehouse muscularity for the next growing time of year . stave off cutting the leave of absence off too early , as this can step down the electric light . Once the foliage has yellow and die , you could transfer it .

In area with rough winters or short drainage , view lifting and hive away electric-light bulb such as tulip and hyacinth . After the foliage has exit back , carefully dig up the lightbulb , clean off any supernumerary soil , and store them in a cool , dry place until the next planting time of year .

Final thoughts

If you’re able to do the employment to institute a variety of bulbs in the autumn , you’re able to bask an uplifting and long - lasting display of flower in the spring . So , it is worth ignoring the end of summer blue sky to invest in your garden ’s future and you ’ll be greeted with a fantastic raiment of colours and perfume when spring get .

Martin Cole has been an devouring plant devotee and gardener for more than 20 years and enjoy to talk and write about horticulture . In 2006 he was a finalist in the BBC Gardener of the Year competition . He is a penis of the National dahlia Society .

He previously lived in London and Sydney , Australia , where he take a sheepskin course in Horticultural studies and is now based in North Berwick in Scotland . He founded GardeningStepbyStep.com in 2012 . The web site is aimed at everybody who loves works or has been prick by the gardening bug and wants to know more .

Bulbs to plant in fall - Narcissus ‘King Alfred’

Narcissus ‘King Alfred’ byAndy Morffewis licensed under CC BY 2.0

Gardening footstep by Step has beencited by Thompson and Morgan , the UK ’s largest mail order works retailer , as a web site that publishes expert gardening subject matter .

Bulbs to plant in fall - Hyacinths