If you are looking to add big, bold, eye-catching beauty to your early spring flowerbeds next year, then you need to be plant a few gorgeous spring flowering bulbs this fall!
There is nothing more inviting in the landscape than the first flowers of the early spring season. Especially after going months and months through a long, cold, dark winter. And although there are some perennial bushes that begin to flower early – nothing will bring color faster earlier than fall planted bulbs!
The good news is that planting fall bulbs really couldn’t be easier. And by simply getting out this fall and planting a few low-care, easy maintenance bulbs, you can fill your spring beds with massive color and interest like never before.
One thing is for sure, fall bulb varieties have come a long way. No longer do you have settle for plain red tulips or simple yellow daffodils to be your only choice for autumn planting. Now there are hundreds of bulb varieties that can paint nearly any size and color palette you can dream of.
With that in mind, today’s article highlights 5 of the biggest and best showstopping fall bulbs around that can help bring big life and color to your landscape next spring!
5 Gorgeous Fall Bulbs To Plant Now For Huge Spring Color!
#1 Mixed Large Cup Daffodils – Assorted Colors Narcissus
Daffodils are one of the hardiest fall bulbs to plant of all. Even better, once planted, they require little long term care other than cutting back when they finish blooming. And when it comes to beautiful daffodils, it’s hard to beat the color and size of large cup daffodils!
Large cup daffodils shoot up bright green foliage in early spring, and fill out with white, yellow and orange blooms. Once they finish blooming, the foliage dies back until next spring, and is virtually care-free.
In addition to their low-maintenance, daffodils are also a great choice for those with pesky deer, mice and squirrel problems. For the most part, animals and pests leave daffodil bulbs and blooms alone. Product Affiliate Link: 50 Perennial Daffodil Bulbs – Assorted Colors Narcissus
#2 Purple Sensation Allium Bulbs – 5 Gorgeous Fall Bulbs To Plant Now
It is hard to top the stunning beauty that big, oversized allium bulbs can bring to a landscape. This onion family member will produce some amazingly large flower heads from spring to early summer that will turn heads for sure.
With round, globe-shaped blooms that can reach 4 to 6 inches or more in diameter, Purple Sensation (photo at the top of the article) allium bulbs provide plenty of early season interest.
What makes allium bulbs even better are that most pests simply won’t bother with them. Deer leave them alone, as do squirrels and chipmunks – but pollinators love them, providing plenty of early season food for bees, butterflies and more.
Plants will grow around 24 inches tall, producing their massive flower heads on long, sturdy stems. The plants make for excellent cut flowers and arrangements, especially considering the blooms can last for up to a few weeks or more.
Winter hardy in zones four through nine, allium bulbs can go in the ground in late fall. Space plants 4 to 6 inches apart in a sunny or partly sunny location. Affiliate Bulb Link: BRECK’S – Purple Sensation Allium Spring Flowering Bulbs
#3 – Blue Jacket Hyacinth – 5 Gorgeous Fall Bulbs To Plant Now
Hyacinth blooms are among the first flowers of the season and are usually known for their brilliantly bright tiny flowers that seem to leap from the landscape. But when it comes to really leaping far and wide – the Blue Jacket hyacinth variety takes first prize!
This big blooming variety grows to a robust height of 12 inches tall and is it ever a showstopper! The spikes of Blue Jacket hyacinth fill with deep blue flowers from top to bottom. In fact, the blooms are some of the most aromatic around, filling the air with the fresh scent of spring.
Hyacinth bulbs should be planted in late fall. The best time for planting is after the first frost but before the ground freezes. Although the bulbs will grow in partial shade to full sun, it is best to plant them where they will receive at least 6 hours of sunlight a day.
Unfortunately, without enough sun, the plants simply do not bloom to their full potential. The good news is that this variety adapts to most soil types as long as they are not overly wet.
Hyacinths are a great multi-purpose spring bulb for planting. They are great for borders or to plant in large clusters for a big pop of color. With blooms that usually last two to three weeks, they also make for great cut flowers too. They truly are one of the most beautiful hyacinth blooms you will ever see. Affiliate Bulb Link: Blue Jacket Hyacinth Bulbs
#4 Mixed Triumph Tulip Bulbs – 5 Gorgeous Fall Bulbs To Plant Now
Tulips have come a long way since the plain red tulips we all grew up with. Now, there are dazzling bulbs in all shades of color and sizes. And one of the best showcases of this are Mixed Triumph tulip bulbs! Affiliate Bulb Link: Mixed Triumph Tulip – 50 bulbs
Hardy to Growing Zone 3, these bulbs require very little in the way of maintenance. They are one of the most drought resistant bulbs of all, and will push forth a wide variety of beautiful tulip colors early next spring. See our article: Planting Tulip Bulbs In The Fall – How To Plant For Big Spring Blooms!
#5 Double Freesia Mix – 5 Gorgeous Fall Bulbs To Plant Now
Freesia is probably one of the most underrated blooming spring and early summer bulbs of all. Not only are they resistant to deer and rabbits, their flowers also have one of the most incredible scents around. And you can really hit a home run with a Freesia Double Mix planting!
The Freesia Double Mix is a collection of brilliant blooming colors. From white, red, blue and yellow, to a mix of nearly everything in between, they will leave your flowerbeds full of vibrant color. And just like many of today’s selections, they are also wondrous for using as a cut flower. Bulb Link : Double Freesia Mix Bulbs
Where you live will determine whether or not freesia bulbs should be planted in the fall or early spring. Freesia can be planted in the fall in zones 7 through 11, but should be planted in early spring in cooler climates. Fall planted freesia will bloom from early spring to early summer, while spring planted bulbs will flower from early to mid summer.
Plant bulbs two to three inches in the ground and space at least a foot apart. Freesia will do best in full sun but will tolerate partial shade. Either way, this drought tolerant bulb will light up your landscape with beauty and interest.
Here is to planting fall bulbs now for a showstopping color display in your landscape next spring!
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This Is My Garden is a garden website created by gardeners, for gardeners. Jim and Mary Competti have been writing gardening, DIY and recipe articles and books and speaking for over 15 years from their 46 acre Ohio farm. They publish three articles every week, 52 weeks a year. Sign up today to follow via email, or follow along!