Planting Bulbs in Autumn for Spring Blooms
Guidelines for When and Where to Plant Spring-Blooming Bulbs
Oct 17, 2009
From the earliest brilliant squills until the dazzling beauty of lilies to accompany the late-summer singing of cicadas, bulbs are an easy-care alternative in Northern gardens. October and November are the best months to undertake this gardening task. Bulbs need to be planted as soon after purchasing them as possible, so have all the tools and supplies you need on hand before beginning. Keep bulbs stored in paper bags in a cool area if you can't plant them in the first few days, or in the vegetable bin in your refrigerator if you won't be planting them within ten days.
Plan Ahead
Refer to pictures of your garden taken throughout the season to plan where you will establish new bulbs. For a large, showy bed with a drift of several dozen plants, loosen the soil ahead of time and incorporate some humus to lighten and enrich it. Most bulbs should be planted by late October, but tulips, grape hyacinths and hybrid lilies should be planted in late November. The smallest bulbs will dry out the fastest, so get them into the ground first.
Selecting Bulbs
Select firm, dry, single bulbs that are as large as possible. Larger bulbs are more mature and more likely to flower. Avoid bulbs with obvious signs of disease or that have already started sprouting.
Planting Guidelines
Generally, bulbs should be planted two to three times deeper than the size of the bulb, and roughly the same distance apart. Make large holes and loosen the soil around the sides to provide good drainage and encourage strong root growth. Plant them with the tip end upwards. If you can't tell the difference between the basal plate and the tip, plant them on their sides. Sprinkle some bone meal in the bottom, cover the bulbs, and add more bone meal on top. Water in well, and cover with a loose mulch to keep the soil temperature consistent. Remember to remove the mulch in the spring.
Bulbs prefer rich, well-drained soil in sunny locations. Be sure to follow the planting instructions that come with the bulbs for the correct depth, distance and sun preference information.
Spring-blooming bulbs look best when planted in large groupings for a dramatic display. Because bulb foliage must be allowed to die naturally rather than being cut back, mix bulbs with perennials to provide interest while hiding withering greenery.
Naturalizing Bulbs
Many kinds of bulbs can be naturalized, meaning they will easily spread once planted. Gently drop the bulbs onto the ground and plant them where they land for a more natural look.
Foiling Bulb-Eating Critters
The most effective way to keep mice, squirrels and other furry critters from eating your bulbs is by planting them in cages devised from wire hardware cloth. You can try planting the bulbs deeper, or interspersing them with daffodils, which are somewhat poisonous. You could also try drenching the ground with hot-pepper tea or tobacco juice.
Shade-Tolerant Bulbs
Most of these bulbs can be grown in full sun, but will tolerate partial shade. Bulbs planted in shade will generally have fewer flowers.
- Allium - summer bloomer; good in containers; Zones 4-9
- Crown-imperial - red, yellow and orange; leaves and flowers have an unpleasant smell; Zones 5-9
- Daffodil - white, yellow, orange, pink and bicolored varieties; Zones 5-8
- English bluebell - violet-blue, with a honey scent; tolerates wet conditions; Zones 4-8
- Giant snowdrop - white; Zones 4-8
- Glory of the snow - white and blue varieties; very early spring bloomer; Zones 4-8
- Grape hyacinth - tiny purplish-blue or white flowers; Zones 3-8
- Hyacinth - white, pink, blue and yellow varieties; also good in containers; Zones 5-9
- Lily - white, yellow, orange, red, and purple varieties; summer-blooming; Zones 4-10
- Lily of the valley - extremely fragrant; in white or pink; all parts are poisonous; Zones 3-9
- Siberian squill - vibrant blue, pink and white varieties; early spring bloomer; Zones 4-8
- Snowdrop - brilliant white; blooms even earlier than crocuses; repels deer and mice; Zones 3-8
- Star of Bethlehem - white, star-like blooms; Zones 5-9
- Summer snowflake - white blooms with green tips; Zones 4-8
- Wood hyacinth - blue, pink and white varieties; summer bloomer; Zones 4-9
Bulbs for Naturalizing
These can all be grown in full sun to partial shade, except as noted.
- Daffodils
- English bluebell - partial shade
- Giant snowdrop
- Glory of the snow
- Grape hyacinth
- Siberian squill
- Star of Bethlehem - can become invasive
- Summer snowflake
Sun Loving Bulbs
These bulbs require full sun; at least 6 to 8 hours per day.
- Iris - wide range of colors available; Zones 3-9
- Peruvian daffodil - white summer-blooming flowers; hardy to Zone 7; can be dried and overwintered indoors
- Tulips - wide range of colors and forms; Zones 2-9
These are just a fraction of the flowering plants that can be planted in the fall for spring blooms the following season. There are also many corms, tubers and rhizomes that can enhance the beauty of your garden.
For more detailed information on some of these bulbs, please read Planting Flowering Bulbs for Spring Blooms by Feature Writer Teresa Shaw.
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