So, the reason I’m writing this article is a little personal. You see, last year in the fall, I had nothing new to plant in my garden. Fall was slowly slipping away and I was still incredibly confused…..till I had an idea.
The idea was to experiment with flowering bulbs and see the look they would bring to my garden. To my surprise, I was blown away! As spring arrived, my garden was looking more colorful and magnificent than ever!
If you’re in a similar situation or just looking for fall planting ideas, this article will guide you through a list of different flowering bulbs that can bring life to your garden.
Let’s dive right into it!
13 Bulbs To Plant This Autumn For Stunning Spring Blooms
13- Wild Tulips
This bulbous perennial works well for fall planting.
Although wild tulips offer slightly smaller and more delicate yellow blooms compared to some of the other tulip varieties, they actually require less care and maintenance.
Planting in well-drained soil and getting them enough full to partial sunlight should be enough to grow them to their fullest capacity.
12 – Daffodils
Daffodils sort of resemble lilies due to their trumpet-like shape. They bloom in a diverse array of lighter colors including white, yellow, orange, and sometimes pink.
There are many interesting facts surrounding daffodils; the craziest one being that they’re the official 10th wedding anniversary flower!
11 – Winter Aconites (Eranthis)
If your garden lacks fullness, especially in the lower extremities, winter aconites can make for excellent ground cover and give your garden an aesthetic look.
The blooms typically grow closer to the ground and are gracefully small and bright yellow in color.
Keep in mind, however, that winter aconite tubers and foliage are toxic if ingested. Therefore, they may not be the best option for people who either have children or pets at home.
10 – Camas (Camassia)
This perennial is known to produce incredibly vibrant, star-shaped flowers in colors like blue, violet, and rarely white. Camas blooms can bring a unique sense of peace and serenity to your garden. Believe it or not, the plant’s bulbs are edible and actually quite nutritious.
They can be eaten either roasted or boiled.
9 – Alliums
Alliums offer large, spherical blooms predominantly in different shades of blue and purple.
Crimson and pink alliums exist too but they’re very rare.
These perennials return every year and thrive in full sun. You can plant alliums in partial shade but it definitely won’t be ideal for growth.
8 – Hyacinth
Hyacinths too are perennials, meaning they’ll return every spring. Compared to some of the other bulbous plants, they’re relatively easy to grow and offer enchantingly beautiful blooms that often have an appealing cylindrical shape to them.
A combination of pink and blue or white and purple colored hyacinth flowers can really uplift your garden and make it more vibrant than ever.
7 – Scillas
Scillas can be planted in the fall so that they’re able to develop a solid root system before winter sets in. They can thrive in multiple lighting conditions and anything from full sun to partial shade is enough to grow them pretty well.
Typically, you’ll find scilla blooms in deep shades of blue and their long, strap-like foliage actually complements them in the garden.
Do keep in mind, however, that both scilla blooms and their foliage are toxic and can be harmful if ingested by pets or humans.
6 – Grape Hyacinths
No, grape hyacinths are not called that because they grow grapes. Rather, their blue, upside-down, bell-shaped blooms resemble the shape and appearance of grapes.
They require little maintenance and aren’t too picky about lighting conditions either.
5 – Iris
The iris plant features crimson, purple, pink, white, yellow, and blue flowers that uniquely have 3 tall and upright petals and 3 that hang down.
The plant offers pointy, sword-like foliage and is perfect for filling your garden with stunning blooms in spring.
4 – Snowdrops
This rapidly growing bulb multiplies every year and can cover a large area of your garden in little time. Snowdrop blooms offer jasmine-like flowers that are pearly white in color and grow in clusters.
The plant’s bulbs are toxic to pets and humans, so just be a little extra careful with them.
3 – Crocus
If your eyes suddenly lit up because you just read a word that resembled “crocs” then I’m sorry to disappoint you – we’re not talking about crocodiles here.
The crocus plant features incredibly unique, cup-shaped flowers often in shades of white, yellow, blue, and purple. Planting crocus in fall 6-8 before the first frost is a good idea since it allows the roots to fully develop and hold their ground. (No pun intended)
2 – Common Bluebells
The reason they’re given this name is because fully bloomed bluebell flowers resemble upside-down bells. In most cases, you’ll find them in blue but there are bluebell varieties that bloom white flowers as well.
They’re best for planting in shaded areas of the garden and offer vibrant, fragrant flowers that won’t fail to grab anyone’s attention.
1 – Squills
Striped squills do well in shaded areas and can’t tolerate excessive moisture and “wetness”.
They multiply rather quickly and will give your garden a denser, more attractive look when the foliage is fully developed and flowers are vibrantly blooming.
So, My Final Words…
When looking to experiment with bulbous flowers, fall planting options can be a little confusing and limited. Hopefully, this article was helpful and gave you the kind of ideas you were looking for!
