Top 10 Bulbs to Plant in Fall That You Aren’t Growing Yet
Updated: Oct. 13, 2022Turn to this list for the best bulbs to plant in fall for carpets of color the following year.
Bulbs to Plant in Fall: Pagoda Trout Lily
Erythronium californicum, Zones 3 to 9
Pagoda is one of the largest trout lilies, standing up to a foot tall. With sulfur yellow flowers, it brightens partly shaded gardens, and deer and rabbits leave it alone. This lily goes dormant after blooming, so plant these bulbs in fall among perennials that start to shine in early summer.
Why we love it: In addition to the bright flowers, the plant’s leaves are a glossy green, sporting bronze and maroon markings that fade later in the season.
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Camas
Camassia leichtlinii SSP. suksdorfii, Zones 5 to 9
Lovely stalks of blue-purple star-shaped flowers grow up to 4 feet tall and bloom from April to May. Camas plants tolerate a range of soils from clay to wet or dry ground, and work well in rain gardens. The flowers come in an array of colors, including white, purple, blue and cream. The yellow anthers make flower petals pop.
Why we love it: Camas is native to the western U.S., and bees appreciate the pollen in late spring.
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Spring Starflower
Ipheion species, Zones 5 to 9
The shape of the blooms is the best way to identify this plant, also known as springstar. The flowers exude a spicy fragrance and the leaves smell like garlic when crushed. Stems grow 6 inches tall in full sun and tolerate some shade. They look right at home in woodland and rock gardens.
Why we love it: Bees and other early pollinators are attracted to the plant.
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Siberian Squill
Scilla siberica, Zones 2 to 8
Small clusters of brilliant blue flowers grow on stems accompanied by long strappy leaves. Their nodding heads look like a wave across the garden during a spring breeze. Do not plant Siberian squill in the Great Lakes region or the Northeast, where it’s invasive.
Why we love it: Siberian squill looks fantastic clustered around a tree and is hardy in very cold areas.
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Persian Lily
Fritillaria persica, Zones 4 to 8
From mid-to-late spring Persian lily puts on quite a show with its flowers, which range from deep purple to cream. The flowers can tower over the garden, maxing out at 3 feet tall. They prefer well-draining soil and full sun to part shade. Each stalk holds dozens of blossoms. It’s an excellent cut flower, adding drama to bouquets.
Why we love it: Persian lily adapts to varying soils, as long as they’re well-draining.
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Windflower
Anemone blanda, Zones 5 to 8
Windflowers are an excellent ground cover, and can be found in blue-purple, white and pink varieties. The lobed leaves add beautiful textured interest. You can also plant the tubers in pots mixed with other bulbs and perennials.
Why we love it: The plant features charming 8-inch-tall daisylike flowers and is disease and pest resistant.
Winter Aconite
Eranthis hyemalis, Zones 4 to 7
Tough and resilient, winter aconites provide brilliant yellow morsels of joy in the garden as they begin to awaken around March in many areas. The tubers multiply over time, providing even more brilliant color. The low, buttercuplike flower’s frilly green collar accents the yellow petals. Full to part sun is ideal.
Why we love it: This low-grower shines along pathways, is exceptionally deer resistant, and can even grow under black walnut trees.
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Gravetye Giant Summer Snowflake
Leucojum aestivum, Zones 4 to 8
Growing a little over 2 feet tall once they’re established, Gravetye Giant features deep green, grasslike leaves and white, bell-shaped flowers with a green marking on the tip of each petal. It naturalizes in full sun or part shade, and the flowers smell slightly like chocolate.
Why we love it: You can plant these bulbs in fall in a range of soils, including clay. The bulbs are resistant to disease in well-draining soil.
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Glory of the Snow
Chionodoxa luciliae, Zones 3 to 8
This diminutive plant stands 4 to 6 inches tall with blooms in purple, blue or sometimes pink with a white center. It covers the ground from March to April, depending on your location, and does well in snow. The plants fade quickly after the initial bloom, but come back year after year with the right care.
Why we love it: Glory of the snow grows under black walnut trees, deer don’t seem to care for it, and it makes lovely small flower arrangements in early spring.
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Spanish Bluebell
Hyacinthoides hispanica, Zones 3 to 8
Spanish bluebell varieties come in shades of blue, pink and white with deep green foliage accentuating the 1-to-2-foot-tall flower stalks. Plant bulbs in fall in part sun to part shade for the best results. But Spanish bluebell also grows in full sun or full shade.
Why we love it: Pollinators can’t get enough and it’s a fantastic transitional bulb to bridge late spring and summer.
Next, discover the best daffodil bulbs to plant.