The Ultimate Guide to Fall Planting: Top 20 Bulbs for Spring and Summer Blooms

Are you ready to enhance your garden with beautiful blooms next spring and summer? Fall is the perfect time to plant bulbs that will burst into color when warm weather arrives. Not only will your garden look spectacular, but you’ll also be able to enjoy months of blossoms when you choose bulbs that bloom at different times. To help you get started, we’ve compiled a list of the 20 best bulbs for fall planting. Whether you’re a seasoned gardener or a beginner, these bulbs are sure to brighten up your outdoor space!

Why Plant Bulbs in the Fall?

Planting bulbs in the fall is a smart gardening strategy for several reasons. When you plant bulbs in the fall, they have time to establish strong root systems before winter sets in. This means they’ll be ready to burst into bloom as soon as spring arrives. Fall-planted bulbs also require less maintenance and attention than seeds or seedlings. Plus, many bulbs are deer resistant, so you won’t have to worry about pesky critters snacking on your garden.

So, without further ado, here are the top 20 bulbs that you should consider planting this fall:

1. Allium
2. Name: Allium
3. USDA Hardiness Zones:
4. Light:
5. Soil:
6. Flower Color:

7. Deer Resistant:

8. Autumn Crocus

9. Name: Autumn Crocus
10. USDA Hardiness Zones:
11. Light:
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14. Deer Resistant:

15. Bluebells

16. Name: Bluebells
17. USDA Hardiness Zones:
18. Light:
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21. Deer Resistant:

22. Daffodils

23. Name: Daffodils
24. USDA Hardiness Zones:
25. Light:
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28. Deer Resistant:

29. Dutch Iris

30. Name: Dutch Iris
31. USDA Hardiness Zones:
32. Light:
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35. Deer Resistant:

36. Fritillaria

37. Name: Fritillaria
38. USDA Hardiness Zones:
39. Light:
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42. Deer Resistant:

43. Glory of the Snow

44. Name: Glory of the Snow
45. USDA Hardiness Zones:
46. Light:
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48. Flower Color:

49. Deer Resistant:

50. Grape Hyacinth

51. Name: Grape Hyacinth
52. USDA Hardiness Zones:
53. Light:
54. Soil:
55. Flower Color:

56. Deer Resistant:

57. Greek Windflower

58. Name: Greek Windflower
59. USDA Hardiness Zones:
60. Light:
61. Soil:
62. Flower Color:

63. Deer Resistant:

64. Hyacinth

    • Name: Hyacinth
    • USDA Hardiness Zones:
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65. Lilies (Lilium spp.)

    • Name: Lilies
    • USDA Hardiness Zones:
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66. Lily of the Valley

    • Name: Lily of the Valley
    • USDA Hardiness Zones:
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67. Rain or Thunder Lily

    • Name: Rain or Thunder Lily
    • USDA Hardiness Zones:
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68. Siberian Squill

    • Name: Siberian Squill
    • USDA Hardiness Zones:
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69. Snowdrops

    • Name: Snowdrops
    • USDA Hardiness Zones:
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70. Spring Snowflake

    • Name: Spring Snowflake
    • USDA Hardiness Zones:
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71. Starflower

    • Name: Starflower
    • USDA Hardiness Zones:
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72. Tulip

    • Name: Tulip
    • USDA Hardiness Zones:
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73. Wild Hyacinth

    • Name: Wild Hyacinth
    • USDA Hardiness Zones:
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74. Winter Aconite

    • Name: Winter Aconite
    • USDA Hardiness Zones:
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Now that you have a list of the best bulbs for fall planting, let’s dive deeper into each one and explore their unique characteristics, planting tips, and more.

Allium

Alliums are carefree plants that don’t need deadheading and rarely need dividing. They bloom in May and June, with tall varieties reaching up to four feet in height. Alliums are also deer resistant, making them a great choice for your garden. Consider planting a variety of allium bulbs to enjoy blooms throughout the spring and summer months.

Autumn Crocus

Name: Autumn Crocus
USDA Hardiness Zones:
Light:
Soil:
Flower Color:
Deer Resistant:

Autumn crocus bulbs bloom in the fall, bringing beautiful flowers to your garden during the cooler months. These bulbs benefit from being divided every four years to keep them healthy and prevent clumps from dying out. However, it’s important to note that all parts of the plant are toxic to humans and pets, so handle them with care.

Bluebells

Name: Bluebells
USDA Hardiness Zones:
Light:
Soil:
Flower Color:
Deer Resistant:

Bluebells, such as the Spanish and English varieties, are ideal for fall planting. These bulbs will naturalize and spread, creating a stunning carpet of flowers in your garden. With their fragrant blooms and easy-to-care-for nature, bluebells are a must-have for any garden.

Daffodils

Name: Daffodils
USDA Hardiness Zones:
Light:
Soil:
Flower Color:
Deer Resistant:

Daffodils are long-lived and low-maintenance plants that come in a variety of colors and bloom shapes. From ruffled pink blooms to long-necked trumpet daffodils, there’s a daffodil variety for every garden. Consider planting mail-order daffodil bulbs for larger and more abundant blooms.

Dutch Iris

Name: Dutch Iris
USDA Hardiness Zones:
Light:
Soil:
Flower Color:
Deer Resistant:

Dutch iris bulbs produce delicate, orchid-like blooms in a range of colors. These low-maintenance plants are easy to grow and make great cut flowers. Plant Dutch iris bulbs in a large drift for a stunning display of blooms in late spring to early summer.

Fritillaria

Name: Fritillaria
USDA Hardiness Zones:
Light:
Soil:
Flower Color:
Deer Resistant:

Fritillaria bulbs offer a wide range of colors and bloom shapes. From delicate bell-like flowers to spiky clusters of bells, these bulbs are sure to make a statement in your garden. Keep in mind that all parts of the plant emit an unpleasant odor, so they are not suitable for indoor cut flowers.

Glory of the Snow

Name: Glory of the Snow
USDA Hardiness Zones:
Light:
Soil:
Flower Color:
Deer Resistant:

Glory of the Snow is an early spring blooming bulb with star-shaped blue-purple flowers. These bulbs are easy to grow and can be used as ground cover in rock gardens and woodland settings. With their tolerance for dry summers, glory of the snow is a great choice for low-maintenance gardeners.

Stay tuned for the continuation of the guide, where we will explore more bulbs for fall planting and share helpful tips for creating a vibrant garden that blooms throughout the spring and summer months!