Fall Bulbs: Complete Guide for a Beautiful Spring Garden

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Have you ever marveled at the beauty of someone’s yard when tulips and daffodils are in full bloom?

I do- every year.

It can be a breathtaking sight after a long, cold Ohio winter.

I want more of that for my yard next spring.

For that to happen, I need to start planning now.

Tulips, daffodils, hyacinths, crocus, and many other flowers are known as “fall bulbs” as they must be planted in fall to develop roots and experience winter’s cold temperatures.

This is a necessary part of their life cycle to activate spring flowers.

For folks in the southern parts of the U.S. bulbs are pre-cooled since ya’ll don’t experience the chill of winter!

Regardless of where you live, fall is the time to plan, buy, and prepare so I (we!) can have beautiful blooms next spring!

Other Great Reasons to Plant Fall Bulbs!

• They are extremely low-maintenance plants.
• They are perennials and return each year (in the Midwest U.S.).
• Bees and other pollinator insects love them! Early flowering bulbs provide nectar to these insects until wildflowers and other summer-blooming flowers emerge.
• They are a beautiful addition to any landscape bringing flowers and color into the yard early in the season!
• Some bulbs start blooming in February!
• They make great cut flowers.

 

What are Bulbs?

Bulbs are a classification of plants that have an underground storage structure.

The entire plant’s life cycle is stored inside the bulb.

This means that next year’s flowers are contained in the bulbs you buy this fall. Amazing!

 

 

Examples of Fall Bulbs

The following bulbs are considered winter hardy (can survive freezing temperatures) in most of the Midwest U.S. and return each spring (perennial):

If you live in a southern U.S. climate (zones 8-10), bulbs will need to be cooled for 8-12 weeks prior to planting to simulate winter.

To check your zone, click here.

• Daffodil (Narcissus spp.)
• Tulip (Tulipa spp.)
• Hyacinth (Hyacinthus orientalis)
• Grape Hyacinth (Muscari botryoides)
• Crocus (Crocus spp.)
• Glory-of-the-Snow (Chionodoxa luciliae)
• Winter Aconite (Eranthis hyemalis)
• Snowdrop (Galanthus nivalis)
• Siberian Squill (Scilla siberica)

 

When to Plant

Ideally, bulbs should be planted in October once the soil begins to cool.

As long as the soil isn’t too wet or frozen, bulbs can be planted in November.

I recommend buying bulbs in early September to get the best selection.

Online, mail order, and your local garden center are great sources for quality bulbs.

Bulbs are graded and priced based on their size.

Bigger bulbs will have larger flowers and will cost slightly more than smaller bulbs.

Investing in larger bulbs will pay dividends.

Planting once and getting years of large, beautiful blooms is worth it!

I prefer to plant bulbs before a stretch of rainy weather sets in.

I watch the forecast for one of those beautiful, sunny, cool fall days that make gardening a joy!

Until planting, keep bulbs cool, dry, and out of direct sun.

Where to Plant Bulbs

The key to having a successful bulb garden is to plant in an area with good drainage.

Wet soils that don’t drain well will cause the bulbs to rot.

A sunny location is ideal, but because most bulbs bloom before leaves emerge on trees, most locations are suitable.

Designing a Bulb Garden

My personal preference is to plant an area with one type of bulb.

I like the bold statement of a single flower and color.

It creates a dramatic display that creates curb appeal.

There are several ways to approach the layout of a planting area.

For a formal garden, bulbs are planted in straight lines with each bulb spaced uniformly apart.

Since my gardens are far from formal, I like to plant bulbs in large, natural drifts.

This creates waves of color.

It also removes the pressure of creating straight lines!

Before planting, I recommend laying the bulbs on top of the soil to estimate where each bulb will be planted.

This helps determine if there are enough bulbs to fill the space.

I prefer to space bulbs approximately 3 inches apart.

They can be planted farther apart; it is a matter of preference.

Another type of bulb garden is referred to as “naturalized.”

This is when bulbs are planted in a natural area such as at the edge of woods or under a grove of trees.

In order to make the flowers appear as if they were placed there by Mother Nature herself, they are planted randomly and farther apart.

The distances are up to you.

To achieve this look, I have heard of garden designers tossing bulbs into an area and planting them wherever they land.

Another garden design consideration is each plant’s bloom time.

Fortunately, most bulbs are available in different varieties that bloom at varying times throughout the spring.

Using the guide below, you can have flowers blooming from February until late May when annuals are available.

Sequence of Flowering for a Mid-West Garden

Early Spring (February-March)

• Snowdrop (Galanthus nivalis)
• Winter Aconite (Eranthis hyemalis)
• Crocus (Crocus spp.)
• Glory-of-the-Snow (Chionodoxa luciliae)
• Wood Squill (Scilla siberica)
• Striped Squill (Puschkinia scilloides)
• Grape Hyacinth (Muscari botryoides)
• Early Daffodils (Narcissus spp.)

Mid Spring (April)

• Early Tulips (Tulipa spp.), examples include Emperor or Fosteriana tulips, Water Lily Tulips, Darwin Tulips
• Hyacinths (Hyacinthus orientalis)
• Summer Snowflake (Leucojum aestivum)
• Daffodils (Narcissus spp.) examples include Large Cupped, Large Trumpet Daffodils

Late Spring (May)

• Mid-season Tulips (Tulipa spp.)
• Wood Hyacinth (Hyacinthia spp.)
• Late Daffodils (Narcissus spp.) examples include Double Narcissi, Jonquilla Narcissi
• Late Tulips (Tulipa spp.), examples include Darwin tulips, Peony tulips, Fringed tulips

 

 

How to Plant Bulbs

Plant daffodils, tulips, and hyacinths approximately 6 inches deep.

Crocus and other smaller bulbs grow best when planted approximately 3 inches deep.

One method is to dig a hole for each bulb.

A shovel, trowel, bulb planter, or even a specialized drill bit work nicely.

Another method is to dig a wide hole that accommodates more bulbs (3+).

Either way will work, it is a matter of preference.

Once the hole is dug, add bulb fertilizer to the bottom.

The package instructions will provide an application rate; generally,  a teaspoon per bulb is sufficient.

Place the bulb in the hole with the pointed side facing upward.

Roots will emerge from the bottom, flatter side.

Cover with soil and water the area when complete.

Watering bulbs is essential as it encourages roots to emerge and establish the plant before winter arrives.

If it is a particularly dry fall with little rainfall, it will be beneficial to water the planted area until the fall rains arrive.

Spring Maintenance & Grooming

Once the flowers emerge in spring, enjoy! I like to cut a few and enjoy in a vase inside.

The leaves and flowers are very resilient to a late snow or ice storm.

They will bounce back nicely on their own.

Sprinkling a bulb fertilizer on the soil surface once flowers emerge will keep the plant healthy.

Once the flowers have faded, trim the flower stalk to the ground, leaving the leaves.

A critical maintenance step is to allow the leaves to become brown before trimming.

This enables the bulb to store energy and develop the next spring’s flowers.

Pests

Daffodils are poisonous to wildlife, so they will avoid digging and eating them.

They are a great option for yards that are frequented by deer, moles, and squirrels.

Tulips are a notorious favorite of deer.

If you love tulips but struggle with deer damage, try applying a product called Liquid Fence.

It is a deer repellent that will prevent deer from eating them.

Apply when the leaves are 2” high and repeat applications every 10 days.

The best strategy for growing bulbs in an area frequented by deer is to plant types they do not like.

Below is a list of deer-resistant bulbs:

• Daffodils (Narcissi spp.)
• Wood Squill (Scilla siberica), also rodent resistant
• Blue Grape Hyacinth (Muscari)
• Snowdrops (Galanthus)
• Crocus (Crocus spp.)
• Hyacinth (Hyacinthus orientalis)
• Wood Hyacinth (Hyacinthoides spp.)
• The Glory of the Snow (Chionodoxa spp.)

Planting spring-blooming bulbs in fall is an easy way to increase the beauty and curb appeal of your home for years to come.

The powerhouse of blooms contained in a simple bulb is amazing.

Following these simple planting and design tips will make your neighbors marvel at the beauty that emerges from your yard after winter!

I hope you will be inspired to plant bulbs this fall for a colorful display of blooms next spring and for years to come!

Did you know fall bulbs can be grown in pots and forced to bloom indoors? Click here to learn how!