Fall Bulbs - Here's what to expect!

Fall is the perfect time to plant spring-flowering bulbs because they need a period of cold dormancy to bloom beautifully when the weather warms. By planting bulbs like tulips, daffodils, and crocuses in the autumn, you’re giving them time to establish roots before winter sets in. Then, as the snow melts and the days grow longer, these early bloomers are among the first signs of spring. Check out our social media or website homepage to see if the fall bulbs have arrived for the season. Sign up for email notifications to find out when our bulbs arrive!

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Here's a sneak peek of some of the flower bulbs arriving for fall planting:

How do I plant fall bulbs?

Generally, you can expect to plant fall bulbs from mid-September to early October, however, this may vary due to weather conditions. Check your local weather authorities for more accurate and up-to-date information. The goal of fall planting is to allow the bulb to establish roots, without expending energy to actually start popping up from the soil.

You'll want to choose a sunny, well-draining spot to prevent your bulbs from rotting. Excess water or areas of water pooling can favour bacterial and fungal buildup, which causes bulbs to soften and decay. The soil should be loosened to allow the roots to form well in the soil. Consider adding compost to provide nutrients.

As a general tip, plant bulbs 2 to 3 times as deep as the bulb is tall, measured from the base of the bulb to the soil surface. Below is some information for planting depth and spacing, however this may vary slightly depending on the variety and size of bulb, so using the bulb size as reference is a good strategy.

Bulb Type	Planting Depth	Plant Spacing
Allium	6-8 inches	6-8 inches
Amaryllis	Top 1/3 of bulb exposed	12-15 inches
Crocus	2-4 inches	2-3 inches
Hyacinth	4-6 inches	4-6 inches
Fritillaria	3-4 inches	3-4 inches
Narcissus	6-8 inches	4-6 inches
Snowdrop	2-3 inches	3 inches
Tulips	6-8 inches	4-6 inches

Mix bone meal or a bulb-specific fertilizer into the soil at planting time. You'll want to avoid high-nitrogen fertilizers since these can promote leafy growth instead of strong blooms. Some options include GardenPRO Bulb Food 2-9-6 and GardenPRO Bone Meal 2-11-0. After planting, cover the bed with 2–4 inches of mulch, straw, shredded leaves, or bark. This helps insulate the bulbs from freeze-thaw cycles.

Alliums:

Add architectural drama to the late spring garden. Their globe-shaped blooms are made up of dozens of tiny, star-like flowers. Depending on the variety, alliums can range in height from 12 inches to a towering 48 inches. While the flower itself has little scent, the foliage may carry a faint onion-like aroma. Alliums are beloved by pollinators, especially bees, and their unique form brings structure to perennial borders.

Hyacinths:

If fragrance is what you’re after, hyacinths won’t disappoint. Their sweet, powerful scent is unmistakable in early spring, and their clustered flowers offer vibrant hues of blue, pink, purple, and white. Typically growing 8 to 12 inches tall, hyacinths are ideal for borders, containers, or forcing indoors. You may want to wear gloves when handling the bulbs, as they can cause mild skin irritation.

Crocus:

Crocuses bloom low to the ground, creating a carpet-like effect when planted in large drifts, especially under trees or in rock gardens. Their delicate grass-like leaves, accented with a central silver stripe, emerge at the same time as the blooms and blend beautifully with turf or other early perennials. Being one of the earliest bloomers, these flowers provide early nectar to pollinators.

Narcissus (Daffodil):

Daffodils are bright reminder of spring's return. With cheerful trumpet shapes and sunny colors, they brighten the surrounding landscape. One of the best things about daffodils? They’re deer- and rodent-resistant, making them a reliable perennial choice for Zone 3 gardeners.

Snowdrops (Galanthus):

These nodding white blooms with green accents grow just 4 to 6 inches tall, making them perfect for woodland gardens, shady borders, or under deciduous trees. Though small, they often have a faint honey-like fragrance.

Fritillaria:

Some varieties display delicate bell-shaped flowers with a checkerboard pattern, while others feature tall stalks crowned with bold orange or yellow blooms. Heights range from 12 to 36 inches, and though some carry a musky or skunky scent, this actually deters pests like deer and squirrels.

Tulips:

Few flowers are more iconic in spring than the tulip. With hundreds of varieties and forms—from classic cups to ruffled parrots—they offer an almost endless range of colors and bloom times. For a long-lasting tulip display, plant a mix of early, mid, and late blooming varieties. This way, you’ll have color in your garden for 4–6 weeks instead of just a short burst of 1-2 weeks.

Bloom Time	General Period	Types Included
Early-Spring	Late April to early May	Single Early, Double Early, some Species tulips
Mid-Spring	Mid to late May	Triumph, Darwin Hybrid, some Fringed (Crispa), some Species tulips
Late-Spring	Late May to early June	Parrot, Lily-Flowered, Fringed, Viridiflora, some Fringed (Crispa), Rembrandt types

Scilla:

Scilla produces an enchanting sea of nodding, bell-shaped flowers in early spring. Typically growing 4 to 8 inches tall, Scilla boasts starry or bell-like blooms in intense shades of deep blue, sky blue, lavender, or white, depending on the species. Cold-hardy and low-maintenance, this flower thrives in both sun and partial shade.

Amaryllis:

Known for its bold, trumpet-shaped flowers in dramatic reds, whites, and pinks, this plant is a true holiday classic. Each thick, sturdy stem can bear two to five enormous blooms. While not highly fragrant, the amaryllis is set apart by its imposing size, extended bloom time, and ability to flower indoors with little effort. It is typically planted indoors in containers or as a standalone bulb coated in wax as a showy centerpiece.

Stay tuned for more information about fall garlic!

Happy planting