Top Fall-Planted Bulbs for Spring Blooms

Planning a bulb garden is simple when you choose tried-and-true varieties. Here are some of the most popular, eye-catching fall-planted bulbs for spring flowers.

Winter Aconite: One of the earliest spring-flowering bulbs, buttery-yellow Winter Aconite blooms will light up the spring garden into summer.

Allium: Given their large blooms, Allium are stand-outs in the garden. Overall flower shape can be round, oval or cascading.

Crocus: Their arrival is one of the most dramatic, as Crocus often pop up through snow-sparkled soil. Pollinators “beeline” to Crocus for the nectar and pollen.

Daffodil: These garden classics are long-lived, and relatively pest-free. Trumpet-shaped flowers in shades of white, cream, and yellow are cheerful and welcoming.

Hyacinth: Sweetly-scented, Hyacinth flowers bloom in a rainbow of colors, including soft pastels and bright primary hues. The blooms add star-studded flair to the landscape.

Muscari: A member of the Lily family, Muscari is a mid-spring bloomer. Green leaves poke through the soil first, followed by cobalt blue flowers shaped like grapes (hence the nickname “Grape Hyacinth”).

Peonies: Low-maintenance, sun-loving Peonies bring unsurpassed elegance to the landscape. The gorgeous ruffled flowers are magnificent in the garden and as cut flowers for bouquets.

Snowdrops: Small, white bell-shaped flowers bring a gentle beauty to the early spring garden. Easy-going and pest-resistant, Snowdrops are a sweet sight to behold.

Tulips: Another show-stopper, Tulips have graced gardens for centuries, offering a wide range of colors and shapes. Petals can be solid or color-patterned, adding visual pizazz to the garden!

Choosing Bulbs for Your Climate

As you plan a bulb garden, be sure to choose spring-flowering varieties suited to conditions in your area. Check for your growing zone here. You can also get great gardening information from your local county extension office in-person, and online.

Steps to Planting Success

Bulbs require very little care, as their built-in storage units supply energy and nutrients. Once planted in fall, bulbs grow strong roots underground, rest in winter, and make grand debuts in spring!

While bulbs are relatively self-sufficient, they need your help to keep hungry animals away. Following are some tips for effectively protecting bulbs through the entire lifecycle, from planting through blooming.

*Before planting, coat bulbs with eco-friendly, long-lasting Bobbex-R Animal Repellent to mask their scent, so critters can’t locate them. Bobbex-R is comprised of organic elements, so it is safe for people, plants and animals. Visit this Bobbex YouTube video for easy instructions on how to dip your bulbs before planting.

*Follow instructions for planting depth, which is generally to dig a hole 2-3 times the height of the bulb.

*Once the bulbs are set and holes filled, water well, and consider putting a light cover of hay or leaves around the site.

*Do a thorough clean-up, so it is not evident there are new plantings. Bobbex-R can be sprayed directly on the soil for extra protection.

*Stroll the area in winter and early spring. If the soil has been upset, or plants have begun to emerge, apply another coat of Bobbex-R.

Fall-Planted Bulbs Bring Instant Spring Blooms

Of nature’s many gifts, bulbs are one of the most spectacular. Once planted in fall, they quietly develop underground, where their only need is to be kept safe from animals. Add some fall-planted bulbs to your garden, keep them shielded, and in spring you’ll enjoy bursts of blooms.