5 Spring-Flowering Bulbs to Plant in the Fall

We all look forward to the first signs of spring -- crocuses peaking up through the snow, daffodils raising their cheery yellow heads, tulips adding color to the garden. It is in the fall, however, when you need to plant these bulbs if you want flowers in the spring. You should also look for other types of flowers besides crocuses, daffodils, and tulips. Bulbs are so easy to plant and grow that there is no reason not to have a plethora of different varieties of blooms in a wide variety of colors in your spring garden ... and even later. [For photos of each of the flowers mentioned in this article, see my slideshow.]

Allium (Ornamental onion): rounded flower heads.
Bloom color: rosy-purple with other varieties in yellow and white.
Bloom time: late spring to summer.
Height: varies from low-growing to over 3 feet.
Plant in the fall at a depth 3 times the height of the bulb. They like well-drained soil enriched with organic matter. Add lime to acidic soil before planting. Alliums prefer full sun but will tolerate partial shade.

Anemone (Windflower): daisy-like blooms or cup shaped blooms resembling poppies.
Bloom color: white, blue, violet, pink, red.
Bloom time: late-winter to mid spring, with some varieties blooming from late-spring into early-summer.
Height: 4-10 inches.
Plant anemones in September and October for spring blooms. (You can also plant them in March and April for summer blooms.) Soak the tubers overnight. This will enable them to establish themselves more quickly. Some varieties prefer full sun while others like dappled sun. (Read the information on the package of the particular ones you purchase.) All anemones, however, need to be planted in a location where they have protection from the wind.

Camassia (Quamash): spikes covered with star-shaped flowers.
Bloom color: white, pale-blue, pale-lavender, deep purple.
Bloom time: late spring through early summer.
Height: 3-4 feet.
Plant early- to mid-fall about 3-4 inches deep. Quamash can handle full sun or light, dappled shade and are usually quite trouble-free.

Chionodoxa (Glory of the Snow): a dozen or more star-shaped flowers on short spikes.
Bloom color: various shades of blue, as well as a purplish-pink -- all with distinctive white centers.
Bloom time: early- to mid-spring.
Height: 4-10 inches.
Plant in early fall. Glory of the Snow is not too particular about its growing conditions and can handle either full sun or dappled shade. Perfect for rock gardens and for naturalizing in the lawn.

Dierama (Fairy fishing rods, wandflower): bell-shaped flowers on long swaying stems.
Bloom color: pale-pink to deep rosy-pink.
Bloom time: mid-summer to early fall.
Height: foliage up to 20 inches with stems up to 6 feet.
Plant in mid- to late-fall in a site where it will receive full sun for the entire day. This is one of my favorite plants for the middle of the bed where the long stalks with their lovely flowers can weave in and out among the other plants in the bed. (I once thought a sedum had developed a weird bloom until I realized that it was my wandflower peaking out of the foliage.) While this particular flower blooms later than the others mentioned here, it must be planted in the fall. The foliage begins to appear in the early spring, and some of the variegated varieties are quite attractive even without the flowers.

You should be able to find these different spring-blooming bulbs at your local gardening center; however, there are also some good catalog/online stores that offer them for sale. Be sure to read the planting instructions on the package for planting times and planting depths, since these may vary among different varieties of the same flower. Also, be sure to water well after planting and then mulch.

Reference:
Scarlett, Kay, pub. The Complete Garden Flower Book. London, England: Murdoch Books UK Ltd., 2001.