As the days grow shorter following a long warm summer, 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.
Here’s a guide to the best bulbs to plant in autumn to give your spring 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 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 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 be planted in September and October. These tend to be from drier climates, so give these a sunny, warm location with decent draining soil.
Spring bulbs require free draining sun, partial shade, and sun. 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 some 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 a garden oasis, bringing blue and purple shades come early spring, and pollinators, like bees that fly towards their nectar.
However, keep in mind that the Wildlife and Countryside Act of 1981 states that bluebells are legally protected, so it’s illegal to dig the plant or bulb from the wild. Always check to ensure your bluebell bulbs aren’t wild-collected, but cultivated. Ensure the bulbs are UK-grown to prevent overseas diseases from affecting your garden.
Bluebells do best in moist, well-draining 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)
The picture of spring, 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 containers. Asiatic lilies do better in alkaline soil, so you can plant these bulbs in multipurpose, peat-free containers, 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, light pink, and light yellow colours. This makes them ideal if you’re looking to transform your outdoor space with vibrant colours.
Most hyacinths are on sale 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 flowers 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.
There we have it! We hope you learned more about the best bulbs to plant in autumn and how to plant bulbs in autumn.
How We Can Help
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.
