15 Bulbs to Plant This Fall for Spring Blooms

Fall Bulbs

Get an early start in the fall and plant your favorite spring flower bulbs. The cold, wet soil creates a habitat for the roots growing and prepares them to bloom its flowers. By the time spring arrives, you’ll be pleasantly surprised by the plethora of blossoms decorating your garden.

Research the spring flowers you want before you decide to plant your bulbs. When you select flowers that complement each other, their shapes and colors make your garden aesthetically pleasing.

Daffodils, Tulips, and Daylilies will make your garden and backyard a portrait of vivid reds, purples, and a creamy blend of yellow and pink. So, don’t be afraid to get your fingers dirty in the fall. The vivid spring flowers decorating your home will make you the envy of your neighborhood.

Below we explore 15 of our most beloved spring bulbs that make fabulous accessories to any garden, business, or home.

Daffodils

Daffodils

Daffodils (Narcissus) are beautiful plants. The bulbs are planted in the fall and they bloom mid-spring. They grow in zones 3 to 10. Daffodils thrive in full sun or partial shade. These plants do well in well-drained soil. Have deer? Daffodils are also known to be deer resistant.

Giant Allium

Giant Allium

Allium giganteum blossoms huge gorgeous purple flowers.  Allium bloom in late spring and they attract butterflies and hummingbirds. They thrive in well-drained soil and do great in full sun or partial shade. Allium bulbs should be planted in the Fall.

Hyacinth

Hyacinth

If you love color, Hyacinth is a great choice for your early spring garden. Plant Hyacinth 4″-6″ deep in the fall in well-drained soil. Hyacinth does well in full sun or partial shade in zones 4-8.

Scilla

Scilla

Scilla is another early spring bloomer. They are short plants that grow about 4-8″ tall making them great for bed borders or edging. They can grow in full shade, so you could plant them under a tree where grass doesn’t grow. Plant Scilla in the Fall 2-3″ deep in well-drained soil.

Crocus

Crocus

Crocus attracts butterflies and hummingbirds. They are early spring bloomers. They add beautiful color to your flowerbeds and lawns. Crocus thrives in full sun or partial shade and well-drained soil. Crocus is also deer resistant making them a great choice if you have deer.

Tulips

tulips in backyard Spring

Tulips will look gorgeous in any garden. They love the sun or partial shade. Plant Tulips in the Fall for mid-Spring blooms (blooming time depends on the Tulip variety). Plant Tulips 6-8″ deep. Tulips grow in zones 3-9. 

Daylilies

Daylilies

Daylilies come in a variety of colors. Daylilies bloom early to mid-summer. And some Daylily varieties are repeat bloomers so they will bloom again later in the season. Plant Daylily in the Fall 1-2″ deep. Daylilies do great in full sun or partial shade. They like well-drained soil. Daylilies grow best in zones 3-10.

Sweet Iris

Sweet Iris

Iris are very attractive plants, they attract butterflies and hummingbirds and are also deer resistant. Plant the bulbs in the Fall 1-2″ deep. Iris typically bloom in late spring-early summer. Iris are tough and reliable and have beautiful foliage that will look great all season long making them an excellent choice for your garden.

Muscari (Grape Hyacinth)

Muscari

The Muscari armeniacum or Grape Hyacinth looks like they have little grape clusters. Muscari bloom in mid-Spring. Muscari can grow to be 4″ to 8″ inches in height making them great for borders. Muscari likes full sun or partial shade. They grow in zones 5-9. Plant the bulbs in the Fall 2-3″ deep in well-drained soil.

Dutch Iris

Dutch Iris

Dutch Iris has sword-like leaves, they bloom with blue and yellow flowers that are simply beautiful. They grow to be 20″-24″ inches in height. They love the sun or partial shade. Plant the bulbs in the Fall 4-5″ deep in well-drained soil. Dutch Iris grows in zones 3-8.

Fritillaria

Fritillaria

Fritillaria grows to be tall at 32″-40″ inches in height. Plant Fritillaria in the Fall 6-8″ deep in well-drained soil. You’ll see beautiful blooms in mid-Spring. Fritillaria prefers full sun or partial shade. They are also deer resistant.

Foxtail Lily

Foxtail Lily

Foxtail Lily is another tall, beautiful and showy plant. They grow to be 72-96″ inches in height. They’ll bloom in early summer and they are known to attract butterflies and hummingbirds. They’re also deer and rabbit resistant. Plant Foxtail Lily bulbs in the Fall 2-3″ deep in well-drained soil. Foxtail Lily loves the sun so plant these tall beauties in full sun.

Golden Spider Lily

Golden Spider Lily

Golden Spider Lily has beautiful golden blossoms. They grow to be 18″-24″ in height and they bloom in late summer. Golden Spider Lily prefers full Sun. Plant the bulbs in the Fall in well-drained soil in a sunny spot. 

Dwarf Iris    

Dwarf Iris

A gorgeous early spring bloomer! Dwarf Iris grows to be 4-6″ in height making them great for borders, rock gardens, and woodlands. Plant them in the Fall in well-drained soil 4-5″ deep. Pick a sunny or partial shade spot in your garden for these cuties. Dwarf Iris grow in zones 3-8.

Snowdrop

Snowdrop

Snowdrops could probably be the first blooms you’ll see after a long winter. You’ll sometimes see them peek out through the snow. Snowdrops bloom all-white flowers in early Spring, they grow to be 4-8″ in height. They prefer full sun or partial shade. Plant these beauties in the Fall 2-3″ deep.