How to Plant Fall Flower Bulbs

daffodils and hyacinth blooming in gardendaffodils and hyacinth blooming in garden

Planting Fall Flower Bulbs is fast, easy, and nearly foolproof!

Fall-Planted Flower Bulbs, such as Tulips, Daffodils, Crocus, Hyacinths, Grape Hyacinths, Scilla, and Snowdrops, which bloom in spring, are loved by both beginner and master gardeners alike! They are easy to grow, so gardeners can put all the effort into the fun part of gardening – designing!

The cooler weather allows spring blooming bulbs to winter over – an essential process that's needed for Fall Bulbs in order for them to bloom in spring! Plus, the cool weather in fall helps to make a more enjoyable experience when working outside in the garden.

When To Plant Fall Bulbs

 

Areas With Cold Winters (Zones 1-7)

Fall Bulbs should be planted as soon as the ground is cool, when evening temperatures average between  40° - 50° F. Ground temperatures reaching 40° - 50° F during fall is most common in cold climates (zones 1-7), generally 6-8 weeks before the ground freezes. However, as long as you can dig and your ground is workable, you can still plant! You can, if necessary, store bulbs for a month or longer if you keep them in a cool, dry place.

Find Your Current Soil Temperature With This Interactive Map

 

Areas With Warm Winters (Zones 8-11)

Planting Fall Bulbs in warm climates (zones 8-11), where bulbs will not experience enough cold temperatures in the ground, will require pre-chilling in order to bloom. To pre-chill, leave bulbs in their bags and place in a refrigerator. Be careful not to store bulbs near fruit, especially apples, because all ripening fruit gives off ethylene gas, which can damage or kill the flower inside the bulb. Once bulbs have chilled, plant them at the coolest time of the year. Most importantly, bulbs won't last till next season, so make sure to plant them!

Hyacinth: Chill for 11-14 weeks

Crocus, Grape Hyacinth, Scillia, and Tulips: Chill for 12-15 weeks

Daffodils and Specie Iris: Chill for 15 weeks

How To Plant Fall Bulbs - Step By Step Instructions

First, read the label: Try to keep the label together with the bulbs until planting. Without the label, you can't tell the red tulip bulbs from the white tulip bulbs just by looking at the bulbs.

Choose where to plant: You can plant bulbs just about anywhere in your garden, as long as the soil drains well. The Dutch say, "bulbs don't like wet feet." So, avoid areas where water collects, such as the bottom of hills. Bulbs like sun, and in many areas, the spring garden can be very sunny since the leaves on the trees are not out yet. So keep in mind when planting in the fall that you can plant in many places for spring blooms.

Illustration of bulb - pointy side upIllustration of bulb - pointy side up

Prepare the planting bed: Dig soil so it's loose and workable. If it's not an established garden bed, chances are the soil could use the addition of some organic matter such as compost or peat moss, available at most local garden retailers. Loosen soil in the planting bed to a depth of at least 8”. Remove any weeds, rocks or other debris. You can mix in compost, other organic matter or slow releasing fertilizer if your soil lacks nutrients.

Plant: Depending on the bulb, follow the recommendation on the label for planting depth. As a general rule, plant big bulbs about 8" deep and small bulbs about 5" deep. Set the bulb in the hole pointy side up or the roots down. It's easy to spot the pointy end of a tulip, and tougher with a crocus. If you can't figure out the top from the bottom, plant the bulb on its side, in most cases, even if you don't get it right, the flower will still find its way topside.

Water: Now that the bulbs are planted, back fill with soil over the hole, lightly compress the soil but do not pack it. Water once to stimulate root growth and to fill any air pockets. There is no need to water continuously unless you live in an area with low precipitation in the winter months.

Now, all you have to do is wait for warm spring weather and blooms!

Learn More: Quick & Easy Trench-Style Planting For Big Color

Recommended planting depths for Fall-Planted BulbsRecommended planting depths for Fall-Planted Bulbs
Recommended planting depths for Fall-Planted Bulbs

Watch: How to Plant Tulips & Daffodils

 
 

Aftercare In The Spring & Summer

Fertilizing: For bulbs that are intended to naturalize, or return for several years, or for bulbs that are coming into their second year, spread an organic fertilizer such as compost, or a slow release bulb fertilizer on top of the soil. 

Pruning: When the flowers have completed blooming, cut the flower head off, but do not cut the foliage. Bulbs will use the foliage to gather nutrients from the sun and store for the following seasons. Once the foliage have turned yellow or brown, you can cut them to ground level.

Design Ideas For Fall Flower Bulbs

how to plant fall bulbs grpahichow to plant fall bulbs grpahic
  • Plant flower bulbs in clusters. If you plant one flower bulb alone, or make a long thin line along the walk, the impact is less desirable. Clusters give a concentration of color for greatest impact. Even if you don't have enough bulbs for a big bed, small clusters can make a super spring show.
  • Plant low bulbs in front of high. This is a good general rule for bulbs that bloom at the same time. Of course there are times to break this rule. For example, if the low growing bulbs bloom early and the tall bulbs bloom late, plant the tall in front. Their display will camouflage the dying foliage of the smaller bulbs!
  • Try a double-decker effect. You can plant small bulbs in a layer right on top of large bulbs. If you plant bulbs that flower in the same period you can create an interesting double-decker effect.
  • Stagger bloom time. Plant mid- and late-season bloomers together, creating a spring display that blooms in succession, for a whole season of color!

Learn More: Designing With Fall-Planted Bulbs in Small and Large Gardens

 

In the end, what you do with fall flower bulbs is limited only by your imagination. A few hours one brisk autumn afternoon can yield months of colorful excitement in your yard or garden next spring. For more information on planting bulbs in the fall visit Flower Bulbs Planting Guides. We want you to be successful in your garden all of our plants are backed by our 100% Satisfaction Guarantee.

Shop Fall-Planted Flower Bulbs

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  1. Annika Lady Tulip, Tulipa clusiana 'Annika'

    Annika is a wildflower tulip cultivar with a romantic coloration that shifts from soft buff pink to a deeper rose pink as the flower age. Deep purple centers are like a faded ink blo...

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    Annika Tulip Annika Lady Tulip Tulipa clusiana 'Annika'
    As low as $18.66 Sale $13.99
    Per Bag of 15
    Annika is a wildflower tulip cultivar with a romantic coloration that shifts from soft buff pink to a deeper rose pink as the flower age. Deep purple centers are like a faded ink blot. Each bulb will send up 2-3 flowers on dainty stems, kicking off Tulip season with a burst of blooms in early to mid spring. A bee-friendly bulb with a strong tendency to spread and naturalize in grassy areas or rock gardens. (Tulipa clusiana)
  2. 'Barrett Browning' Small Cupped Daffodil, Narcissus 'Barrett Browning'

    The Barrett Browning Small Cupped Daffodil is named for poet Elizabeth Barret Browning, who penned the famous line “How do I love thee? Let me count the ways.” True to it...

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    Barrett Browning Small Cupped Daffodil Barrett Browning Small Cupped Daffodil Narcissus 'Barrett Browning'
    As low as $11.99 Sale $8.99
    Per Bag of 8
    The Barrett Browning Small Cupped Daffodil is named for poet Elizabeth Barret Browning, who penned the famous line “How do I love thee? Let me count the ways.” True to its namesake, this cultivar has been a beloved favorite since its introduction in 1945. Blooming in mid-spring, it is an early season delight with broad, crisp white petals contrast a frilled tangerine-orange cup. Winner of the Wister Award for outstanding garden daffodils from the American Daffodil Society. (Narcissus)
  3. Red Hunter Tulip or Wisley Tulip, Tulipa linifolia (Batalinii Group) 'Red Hunter'

    Red Hunter Tulip, also called Wisley Tulip, features brilliant red flowers around a black center. Starting Tulip season with a pop of color and blooming longer than most species tuli...

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    Red Hunter Tulip Red Hunter Tulip or Wisley Tulip Tulipa linifolia (Batalinii Group) 'Red Hunter'
    As low as $15.99 Sale $11.99
    Per Bag of 15
    Red Hunter Tulip, also called Wisley Tulip, features brilliant red flowers around a black center. Starting Tulip season with a pop of color and blooming longer than most species tulips, its mid-to-late spring flowers are surrounded by narrow, upright, silver-green leaves. Plant at the front of the garden or in containers, where the scarlet flowers and attractive foliage will catch your eye. Winner of the RHS Award of Garden of Merit. (Tulipa linifolia Batalinii Group)
  4. Woodstock Hyacinth, Hyacinthus orientalis 'Woodstock'

    With deep plum blooms with a rich fragrance, Woodstock Hyacinth is a gorgeous addition to the spring garden. The warm purple blossoms will complement bright yellow daffodils and pair...

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    Woodstock Hyacinth Woodstock Hyacinth Hyacinthus orientalis 'Woodstock'
    As low as $11.99 Sale $8.99
    Per Bag of 6
    With deep plum blooms with a rich fragrance, Woodstock Hyacinth is a gorgeous addition to the spring garden. The warm purple blossoms will complement bright yellow daffodils and pair nicely with jewel-toned tulips. Early-to-mid-spring blooms are known for attracting bees with plentiful nectar. Plant in the front of the garden or in containers to enjoy the sight and scent of Woodstock Hyacinth. (Hyacinth orientalis)
  5. Wild Woodland Tulip, Wild Tulip, or Florentine Tulip, Tulipa sylvestris

    Wild Woodland Tulip is an heirloom Wildflower Tulip, or Botanical Tulip, that has been cultivated for hundreds of years. With luminous yellow flowers atop burgundy stems, this tulip ...

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    Wild Woodland Tulip Woodland Tulip, Wild Tulip, or Florentine Tulip Tulipa sylvestris
    As low as $11.99 Sale $8.99
    Per Bag of 15
    Wild Woodland Tulip is an heirloom Wildflower Tulip, or Botanical Tulip, that has been cultivated for hundreds of years. With luminous yellow flowers atop burgundy stems, this tulip will light up the mid to late spring garden and delight with a sweet lemony fragrance. Vigorous, long-lived, and relatively tall for a Species Tulip, Wild Woodland Tulips are a great choice for naturalizing in grassy areas. (Tulipa sylvestris)
  6. Anemone blanda Bulb Mix, Anemone blanda, Grecian Windflower

    Daisy-shaped flowers in jewel-toned colors bloom atop ferny foliage on this world-famous wildflower native to Greece. Give these anemone room to spread and you‚ll soon have a b...

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    Anemone blanda Mix Grecian Windflower Mix Anemone blanda Mix
    $9.99 Sale $7.49
    Per Bag of 25
    Daisy-shaped flowers in jewel-toned colors bloom atop ferny foliage on this world-famous wildflower native to Greece. Give these anemone room to spread and you'll soon have a beautiful living carpet of 4-6" low-growing flowers. (Anemone blanda)
  7. Purple Saffron Crocus Bulbs, Crocus sativus, Saffron Crocus

    Saffron is worth its weight in gold, so it pays to grow your own! These beautiful purple crocus flower in fall and offer you pure, prized edible saffron on each flower‚s stigma...

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    Saffron Crocus Saffron Crocus Crocus sativus
    As low as $11.99 Sale $8.99
    Per Bag of 15
    Saffron is worth its weight in gold, so it pays to grow your own! These beautiful purple crocus flower in fall and offer you pure, prized edible saffron on each flower's stigmas. Easy to grow and exceptional in containers. (Crocus sativus)
  8. White Autumn Crocus Bulbs, Crocus kotschyanus, Autumn Crocus zonatus

    Glistening pure-white crocus flowers sparked with orange and yellow anthers catch everyone‚s attention against the deep-blue skies of autumn. As welcome in fall as the famous w...

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    White Fall Flowering Crocus Autumn Crocus White Crocus kotschyanus 'Albus'
    $9.99 Sale $7.49
    Per Bag of 6
    Glistening pure-white crocus flowers sparked with orange and yellow anthers catch everyone's attention against the deep-blue skies of autumn. As welcome in fall as the famous white crocus is in springtime. (Crocus kotschyanus)
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