If there were such a thing as a primer for fall bulbs, it would be a very thin book. Bulbs are almost foolproof—there is little you can do to prevent their natural flowering cycle. Plant spring garden flowers in the fall and they bloom in the spring, often popping up right through late winter snows.
The only caveat is this: buy your fall-planted bulbs from a reputable company that guarantees their product unconditionally. I chose years ago to rely on Breck's. The company has been around for over 200 years and has bulb experts in the fields in Holland inspecting the crops and choosing the very best bulbs for my garden. They offer a guarantee, and they also provide some new and exclusive plants that nobody else on my block will have.
Fall Planting Tips for Spring Flowers
Here are a few things to check off the list when starting your fall planting for spring flowers:
- Choose a sunny location—the more sun spring garden flowers get, the better they bloom. Most bulbs that bloom in spring prefer full sun to partial shade, though light afternoon shade is fine in warmer zones.
- Make sure there is adequate drainage in the bed—fall bulbs don't like "wet feet." Raised beds or amended soils help fall bulbs for spring thrive.
- Don't plant the bulbs too deep—a good rule of thumb is to multiply the bulb's height by three. (So a tulip bulb that is two inches high would be planted six inches deep.)
- Most bulbs have one side that's pointed—plant that end up. Of course, if you can't tell, take your best guess. Even if you're wrong, the bulb knows its roots should grow down and its flower stem up, and it usually rights itself.
- Plant at the right time: the best window to plant fall bulbs for spring blooms is after soil cools to about 55°F, typically from early to mid-fall, and before the ground freezes hard. Don’t plant too early, or bulbs may sprout in fall and risk frostbite. If the ground has frozen solid, wait for a thaw; if you can still dig, you can plant. Breck's ships bulbs at the proper time for your garden zone.
When your bulbs bloom in spring, there will be a few other tasks—some taller flowers may need staking, the foliage will need to be removed when it fades and withers, and after many seasons, the bulbs may need to be dug and divided - but maintenance is minimal for fall bulbs.
The Best Spring Garden Flowers
After several years of planting fall bulbs, identifying these bulbs becomes a bit easier. Unlike most summer-flowering bulbs, many spring varieties grow from "true bulbs," not tubers or bareroots. The biggest flowers tend to come after dainty early-spring flowers, and some of the biggest heights come from summer bulbs like dahlias and glads. However, there are exceptions to every rule—some tulips and early-flowering alliums grow quite tall. And, while we typically think of spring bulbs as flowering in pastels, that notion is truly out of date.
Which flowers bloom in the spring? Here are some classics—and a few less-prolific species to try. These are excellent bulbs that bloom in spring and should be planted in fall:
- Tulips are the absolute picture of springtime, truly the quintessential fall-planted bulb. From short dwarf varieties and early-blooming species tulips to tall, proud Darwin hybrid varieties, these bowl-shaped beauties make it feel like spring has sprung.
- In many Midwestern climates like mine, crocuses are the very first flowers to break through the snow in springtime. Classic, diminutive snow crocus are popular for naturalizing, and giant crocus can make quite the statement, too.
- Daffodils are another of the most-popular spring-blooming flowers. While buttery yellow daffs are a perennial favorite, I love to mix in some paperwhites, pink daffodils, and multi-colored species to keep things exciting.
- Hyacinths are attractive, but the real story with these flowers is their wonderful scent! You'll be glad you planted jewel-toned hyacinths, which tend to bloom in time for some of those mid-to-late spring occasions. Hyacinths in an Easter basket or at a Mother's Day brunch are always welcome.
- Alliums bridge the gap between spring and summer. These are actually members of the onion family, and they're some of the tallest bulb-grown perennials in the garden.
- Spanish Bells are early bloomers and are really well-loved by fans of cottage and woodland styles of gardening. Nodding buds open to petite trumpet flowers in shades of pink, white or blue.
- If you're looking for something completely different, don't skip fritillaria. Regal stalks of downward-facing, nearly tulip-shaped bells create a modern look among woodland flowers. Great foliage, too.
All in all, planting fall bulbs for spring flowers is easy for the beginning gardener, giving you maximum garden impact for minimum maintenance—easy as A-B-C! Enjoy the most beautiful and colorful flowers when you trust Breck's as your provider of flowers to plant in fall for spring!