Autumn is the perfect time to prepare your garden for vibrant spring blooms. Planting bulbs in the autumn rewards hard-working gardeners with a burst of colour as winter fades away, and also sets the stage for a thriving garden the following year.
So, if you’re preparing your garden to make the most of the season, what are the best bulbs to plant in autumn?
Essentially, the best bulbs to plant in autumn are spring-flowering bulbs, though hardy summer-flowering bulbs that can withstand winter’s harsh elements work well in autumn as well.
Explore our guide to the best bulbs to plant in autumn to give your garden beautiful blooms next year.
How to Plant Autumn Bulbs
Before we get into the bulbs themselves, it’s a good idea to go over how to plant bulbs in autumn.
September and October are ideal times for planting spring-flowering bulbs. The soil is warm enough for the bulbs to grow roots, establishing them well before turning dormant in winter.
The exception is tulip bulbs, which are best planted in November. This helps to avoid tulip fire, a disease which makes tulip leaves appear scorched as if burned by fire. The colder weather in late autumn can help eliminate any diseases hiding in the soil.
Hardy summer-flowering bulbs, like crocosmias or lilies, should also be planted in September and October. These tend to be from drier climates, so giving them a sunny, warm location with decent draining soil will give them a better chance for growth.
Spring bulbs need free-draining soil in full sun or partial shade. Many spring bulbs are perennial, so as long as the conditions are right, they should return after every year (apart from tulips). Don’t remove the foliage until it has died completely, as this feeds the following year’s bulbs.
Those with large gardens should consider planting spring bulbs in big groups, as they look great in large clusters. Try choosing a variety of bulbs which bloom at different times, as this creates a continuous display of colour, from spring to summer.
If you’re unsure about which bulbs you should add to your garden, the team at Raine Garden Design can help. With years of experience creating incredibly beautiful gardens, we can guide you in selecting the best bulbs to suit your space and style.
Give us a call at 07702 042559 to chat with us about your thoughts, or check out our planting service page for more information about the service.
What Are the Best Bulbs to Plant in Autumn?
Now you know how to plant autumn bulbs, here are 5 of the best bulbs to plant in autumn:
1. Bluebells
Bluebells are incredibly loved within the UK, as they’re very easy to grow in your garden. These pretty bulbs help create an oasis and bring blue and purple to the garden in early spring, and their nectar draws in pollinators such as bees.
However, keep in mind that the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 states that bluebells are legally protected, so it’s illegal to dig up the plant or bulb from the wild. Always check to ensure your bluebell bulbs are cultivated rather than wild-collected. Ensure the bulbs are UK-grown to prevent overseas diseases from affecting your garden.
Bluebells do best in moist, well-drained soil in partial shade. Plant their bulbs between September and November, taking care to water them well after planting.
Once your bluebells have flowered each year, leave the foliage alone. Bluebell leaves use sunlight to produce food, keeping the plant strong for the next year.
2. Daffodils (Narcissus)
Nothing says spring quite like a daffodil. Daffodils bring vibrant yellow shades to your garden when the weather gets warmer. According to The National Trust, there are over 27,000 cultivated varieties of daffodils, available in classic yellow, cream, lemon, or white shades. Their contrasting petals against their orange centre make them a great addition to garden borders and pots.
Daffodil varieties bloom at different times depending on the type you choose, so keep this in mind when selecting your bulbs.
If you want some colour when winter comes to a close, go for the appropriately named ‘February Gold’ narcissus. If you’re looking for a mid-spring daffodil, ‘Dutch Master’ narcissus is a better choice.
Plant daffodils between September and October for best results, letting them die back naturally once they’ve finished flowering.
3. Lilies
Lilies are an example of a hardy, summer-flowering bulb. Hailed for their distinct scent and large, elegant flowers, lilies stimulate the senses and make a wonderful addition to your garden.
Lilies can be planted from late autumn to early April. Look for firm, large bulbs for the best results. They are available in several different kinds, but if you want lilies that add lots of colour to your space, look for Asiatic or Oriental lilies.
Oriental lilies tend to have impressive, aromatic pink flowers, while Asiatic lilies come in lots of different colours, like red, orange, yellow, and even near-black.
Asiatic lilies are very hardy and easy to grow, but they aren’t fragrant and are usually smaller than Oriental lilies. However, their size makes them a nice choice for those looking to make the most of a small garden.
Oriental lilies do best in acidic soil, so it’s best to plant these in ericaceous compost. Asiatic lilies do better in alkaline soil, so you can plant these bulbs in multipurpose, peat-free compost, or simply add them to your garden.
All lilies need a sunny, sheltered location, but if you’re growing the bulbs in pots, do so in a deep container. This gives them more protection against winter conditions.
4. Hyacinth
These aromatic bulbs are known for their bold purple and blue shades, though they can bloom in yellow and light pink colours. This makes them ideal if you’re looking to transform your outdoor space with vibrant colours.
Most hyacinths are sold in two types: bulbs for spring flowering and prepared bulbs for flowering around Christmas time. The RHS says that prepared bulbs tend to be more expensive as they’ve been heat-treated to bloom earlier, so keep this in mind before making a purchase.
Hyacinths are best planted at the beginning of autumn to flower in March and April. The exception is with prepared bulbs, which are best planted in September if you want blooms to flower around Christmas time. This is because they need between 10 and 12 weeks to establish their roots and shoots.
5. Tulips
Tulips are known for their beautiful colours, as they’re available in practically every colour you can think of. From pale yellow to bold purple, they are great for bringing your borders to life between April and May, though they also do well in pots.
Tulips are classed into 15 different divisions, based on when they begin blooming or their flower characteristics. Examples include the Rembrandt, which has a mix of colours, and the Parrot, which has shades that resemble a parrot’s feathers.
Tulips are perennials, but many breeding years are needed to obtain the best flowers, which is why many types of tulips only bloom well for a year. November is best for planting, but December may work if you live in a mild climate.
Tulips flower at different times, depending on the type you choose. If you want your tulips to flower between late March and April, go for early-flowering bulbs.
Go for early-season bulbs if you want them to flower between late March and April, mid-flowering varieties for blooms between April and May, or late-season bulbs for flowers during May.
Need Help Choosing the Best Bulbs to Plant This Autumn?
Planting bulbs is one of the easiest ways to guarantee colour next spring — but choosing the right varieties, getting the timing right and layering them so something is always in flower takes a bit of planning.
If you’d like help deciding which bulbs will work best in your garden, or want a planting scheme that carries colour from February through to May, we’d be glad to advise.
At Raine Garden Design, our award-winning designer, Raine, has over 23 years of experience in landscape design and a comprehensive understanding of the design and construction process.
Want to know more about our garden design services? Email us at studio@rainegardendesign.co.uk, or give us a call at 07702 042559 to talk to us about your ideas.
For more news and insights, check out our garden design blog, featuring topics such as ‘When Is the Best Time to Plant Spring Bulbs?‘, ‘What to Sow in the Autumn in the UK’ and ‘How to Have a Year-Round Garden‘.
