What are fall planting bulbs?

Created by Kinsey Harris, Modified on Mon, 06 Jun 2022 at 03:00 PM by Kinsey Harris

What Are Fall Bulbs? Fall bulbs don't flower in the fall. They're planted in the fall to then bloom in the springtime! Think tulips, crocus, daffodils, alliums and hyacinth, among others!


Why do we plant spring-flowering bulbs in the fall? These spring bloomers are what we call “dormant perennials.” They need cool, moist soil to awaken them from their dormancy so they can begin growing roots in preparation for the spring showcase.


If you’re a beginner gardener, bulbs are super easy to pop in the ground. They’re foolproof to plant and really lift the spirits, not to mention feed the early pollinators.


Fall Bulb Planting Chart

Common Name

Zone

SoilSun/ShadeSpacing (in)Depth (in)Blooming SeasonHeight (in)
Bluebell4–9Well–drained/
fertile
Full sun/
Partial Shade
43-4Spring8–20
Christmas Rose/
Hellebore
4–8Neutral—alkalineFull sun/
Partial Shade
181-2Spring12
Crocus3–8Well–drained/
moist/fertile
Full sun/
Partial Shade
43Early Spring5
Daffodil3–10Well–drained/
moist/fertile
Full sun/
Partial Shade
66Early Spring14–24
Fritillary3–9Well–drained/
sandy
Full sun/
Partial Shade
33Midspring6–30
Glory of the snow3–9Well–drained/
moist
Full sun/
Partial Shade
33Spring4–10
Grape hyacinth4–10Well–drained/
moist/fertile
Full sun/
Partial Shade
3–42–3Late winter
to spring
6–12
Iris, bearded3–9Well–drainedFull sun/
Partial Shade
44Early spring
to early summer
3–48
Iris, Siberian4–9Well–drainedFull sun/
Partial Shade
44Early spring
to midsummer
18–48
Ornamental onion3–10Well–drained/
moist/fertile
Full sun123–4Late spring
to early summer
6–60
Snowdrop3–9Well–drained/
moist/fertile
Full sun/
Partial Shade
33Spring6–12
Snowflake5–9Well–drained/
moist/sandy
Full sun/
Partial Shade
44Spring6–18
Spring starflower6–9Well–drained loamFull sun/
Partial Shade
3–63Spring4–6
Star of Bethlehem5–10Well–drained/
moist
Full sun/
Partial Shade
2–54Spring to summer6–24
Striped squill3–9Well–drainedFull sun/
Partial Shade
63Spring4–6
Tulip4–8Well–drained/
fertile
Full sun/
Partial Shade
3–64–6Early to
late spring
8–30
Winter aconite4–9Well–drained/
moist/fertile
Full sun/
Partial Shade
32–3Late winter
to spring
2–4

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