Who doesn’t love flowers any time of the year? Get started with these Bulbs now, and plant them in September for Spring Blooms!
Some of the most beautiful blooms in the garden emerge from bulbs. But the vigor and floral viability of these fully depend on when you plant them! As we enter fall, here’s our pick of Bulbs to Plant in September for the prettiest and healthiest Spring Blooms.
Bulbs to Plant in September for Spring Blooms
1. Alliums
Botanical Name: Allium
USDA Zones: 4-8
Allium is a bulbous flowering herb genus comprising over 700 species, including our edible onion, garlic, and extraordinary ornamentals. This pollinator attractor produces globe-like flowerheads in purple, pink, and white in spring and summer if its bulbs are sown in fall, in September. It also repels certain pests due to its strong fragrance.
The slightly chilly weather of September ensures that these bulbs have enough time to establish strong roots before winter sets in. Doing it too late may make the soil too hard and rigid for proper development.
Plant alliums about four times as deeply as their bulb size—for instance, if the bulb is two inches big, then plant it about eight inches deep in the soil and space them out adequately as per variety. Larger varieties need about eight inches between bulbs, while smaller ones need only 3-4 inches.
2. Glory-of-the-Snow
Botanical Name: Chionodoxa luciliae
USDA Zones: 3-8
Despite the name, the Glory-of-the-Snow does not bloom in the dead of winter among snow-covered terrains but actually blooms early in spring by February. It produces tiny, magical star-shaped flowers that are often sky blue with pale white centers.
Plant these bulbs in September or October, so they produce attractive flowers by spring. These bulbs are relatively small and don’t need to be planted too deep in the soil. Sow them about 2-3 inches deep and 3-4 inches wide for best results.
3. Common Crocus
Botanical Name: Crocus
USDA Zones: 3-8
Crocuses are another iconic plant that can be planted in September to get blooms in early spring. These bulbous flowers are one of the first to emerge in the spring season, often poking through a thin layer of frost!
Since the chill in fall is still mild, with moments of heat, this warm respite allows roots to develop and adapt before the onset of extreme winter. And then, come spring and warmth again, small, cup-shaped blooms appear that open during the day and close at night!
Plant crocus bulbs about 2-3 times as deep as their size—roughly about 4-5 inches into the soil. And space them out about four inches apart.
4. Daffodils
Botanical Name: Narcissus
USDA Zones: 4-8
The image of spring is incomplete without the classic daffodils. Its scented bright yellow and white sunny blooms are a pleasure to have in your garden, especially as winter frost melts away. But for that, plant the bulbs in September.
Note: If you have curious pets and toddlers, note that daffodils and their bulbs are toxic! They contain phenanthridine alkaloids that can cause nausea, vomiting, low blood pressure, and cardiac arrhythmias when ingested.
5. Fritillaria
Botanical Name: Fritillaria
USDA Zones: 3-8
If you want a bit of quirky fun in your garden, plant fritillarias! These perennial bulbs produce upside-down, bell-shaped, droopy blooms that resemble tulips and appear in chequered patterns and hues—hence the names Chequered Lily and Chess Flower.
Fritillarias have much larger bulbs than most others on this list, so they need more space and depth. Bulbs larger than three inches usually need a planting depth of about six or more inches and should be at least nine inches apart.
Tip: Plant fritillaria bulbs in September to allow them to set roots before winter. They prefer soil temperatures in the range of 50-60 F (10-15 C). So, if you’re in the southern parts of the US, where fall is slightly warmer, you can sow these bulbs a little later, around October instead.
6. Irises
Botanical Name: Iris
USDA Zones: 5-9
Taking its name from the Greek word for rainbow, irises will make your garden pop in colors in spring if you sow bulbs in fall. These perennials produce blooms with large, colorful petals and sport sword-like grassy leaves.
Iris roots need wiggle room, and the perfect time is before it gets too cold and the soil gets too hard or frosty—that is, in September!
Iris bulbs are moderately sized and can be sown about six inches deep and three inches apart. They do need some personal space, but planting them close leads to overlapping foliage, which looks pretty good for clusters and borders.
Note: Bulb irises perform better when planted in September, while bearded irises need more warmth. The latter, too, can be planted in fall but prefer mid to late summer to produce the best blooms in spring.
7. Hyacinths
Botanical Name: Hyacinthus
USDA Zones: 4-8
Hyacinths can be nudged to bloom around the festive season, but they flower naturally during early spring. These bulbous perennials grow in clusters and resemble dense, stout bottle brushes or cotton candy.
Plant them in September and allow them to overwinter. Hyacinths need a cold dormancy period in their early stages to ensure higher survival chances but should be planted well before frost takes over.
Hyacinth bulbs vary in size, but simply follow our guide of adequately sowing the bulb at least twice as deep as its size and space, at about 3-4 inches.
8. Tulips
Botanical Name: Tulipa
USDA Zones: 3-8
How can we talk about bulbs and not feature tulips? Arguably the most famous and iconic flowers on this list, you can plant tulips when fall feels a little bit more chill—just before the first night of frost, experts say! So, depending on the region, it could be anywhere from September to November.
And come spring; your bulbs will produce showy 6-petalled, upright, bowl-shaped blooms in colors varying from bright yellow, red, and pink to darker shades like purple, burgundy, and black! Once they bloom, do this for a surprise.
The biggest tulip bulbs can reach up to four inches wide, so plant them about eight inches deep and four inches apart.
9. Snowdrops
Botanical Name: Galanthus Nivalis
USDA Zones: 3-7
Galanthophiles—snowdrop collectors—spend loads of money on a single galanthus bulb! If planted in fall, this onion family member produces precious fragrant milky white blooms even in late winter, as the ground is still covered in snow. This early sowing allows them to overwinter and build a strong root system before everything gets too icy.
Snowdrops have tiny bulbs barely crossing two inches in size, reducing the planting space they need. An easy, shallow depth of 2-3 inches and three inches wide will do the trick!
Now that you know when to plant these bulbous plants, also learn the rule to find out the perfect depth of a bulb here!
