Gardening Plants & Flowers Flowers Bulbs

20 Best Bulbs for Fall Planting

Oriental trumpet lilies 'Conca d'Or' with white flowers and yellow centers closeup

The Spruce / Evgeniya Vlasova

Planting bulbs in the fall will bring spring and summer blooms. While rabbits and squirrels nibbling on bulbs can be a problem, many flowering bulbs are deer resistant. Whether you choose to plant bulbs in a container, formal garden, or woodland setting, here are 20 best bulbs for fall planting.

Tip

Choose bulbs that bloom at different times, so you can enjoy months of blooms in your garden once warm weather arrives.

  • 01 of 20

    Allium

    Allium plant with globe-shaped clusters of tiny purple flowers on thin stems

    The Spruce / Evgeniya Vlasova

    Alliums are carefree plants that don't need deadheading, rarely need dividing, and even deer don't fuss with them. Alliums generally bloom in May and June, and many will stay in bloom for four to five weeks. Tall varieties, such as 'Gladiator', 'Mount Everest', and 'Globemaster' can reach four feet tall with six- to eight-inch globe-shaped florets. The smaller varieties are among the first bulbs to emerge and bloom in spring. Medium sizes include 'Purple Sensation' and Allium schubertii, often called the 'Fireworks allium".

    • Name: Allium (Allium, spp.)
    • USDA Hardiness Zones: 4a to 9b
    • Light: Full sun
    • Soil: Well-draining, slightly acidic
    • Flower Color: Purple, white, red, yellow, pink
    • Deer Resistant: Yes
  • 02 of 20

    Autumn crocus

    Autumn Crocus (Colchicum)

    The Spruce / Marie Iannotti

    Autumn crocus bulbs are planted in late summer and bloom the next fall. The flowers appear first, blooming for two to three weeks, and then die back. The next spring, long leaves will sprout and then disappear as summer heats up. The plant remains dormant throughout the summer and blooms in early fall. The flowers are about four inches across, and each plant blooms in a cluster of up to four blossoms. The bulbs benefit from being divided every four years to keep the clumps healthy and prevent the center of the clump from dying out. All parts of the plant are toxic to humans, cats, dogs, and horses.

    • Name: Autumn crocus (Colchicum autumnale)
    • USDA Hardiness Zones: 4a to 9b
    • Light: Full sun
    • Soil: Well-draining, neutral
    • Flower Color: Pink, lavender, white
    • Deer Resistant: No
  • 03 of 20

    Bluebells

    Bluebell plant with small light purple bell-shaped flowers clustered on stems

    The Spruce / Evgeniya Vlasova

    Two bluebells ideal for fall planting are Hyacinthoides hispanica (Spanish bluebells) and Hyacinthoides non-scripta (English bluebells). Often called wood hyacinth, the bulbs will naturalize and spread with each plant producing dozens of nodding tubular flowers for an incredible carpeting effect. English bluebells prefer dappled sun and are fragrant for cut flowers. Spanish bluebells are tougher plants and can take a bit more sun. Both species will bloom from mid-spring to early summer.

    • Name: Bluebells (Hyacinthoides spp.)
    • USDA Hardiness Zones: 3a to 8b
    • Light: Full sun, partial shade
    • Soil: Well-draining, slightly acidic
    • Flower Color: Blue, pink, lavender
    • Deer Resistant: Yes
  • 04 of 20

    Daffodils

    Daffodil plants clustered in garden with yellow and orange star-shaped flowers

    The Spruce / Evgeniya Vlasova

    Daffodils are incredibly long-lived and low-maintenance plants. Not all varieties of daffodils are the trademark brilliant yellow flower. You can get ruffled pink blooms, long-necked trumpet daffodils, tiny three-inch charmers, and more. Mail-order daffodil bulbs can be more expensive than the bulbs often sold at garden centers, but they will also be larger, which means more and larger blooms.

    • Name: Daffodil (Narcissus spp. and hybrids)
    • USDA Hardiness Zones: 4a to 8b
    • Light: Full sun
    • Soil: Well-draining, neutral
    • Flower Color: Yellow, white, pink, orange, variegated
    • Deer Resistant: Yes
    Continue to 5 of 20 below
  • 05 of 20

    Dutch Iris

    Dutch Iris

    The Spruce / Marie Iannotti

    A surprisingly small bulb produces a delicate, slender plant with orchid-like blooms in a variety of colors often used in florist bouquets. The plants are low-maintenance and easy to grow. The flowers bloom for about two weeks in the late spring to early summer. So consider planting a large drift to really enjoy them while they're around. They make great cut flowers, with the blooms lasting up to five days after cutting. The plants are toxic if ingested by humans, cats, dogs, and horses.

    • Name: Dutch Iris (Iris x hollandica)
    • USDA Hardiness Zones: 6a to 9b
    • Light: Full sun
    • Soil: Well-draining, neutral
    • Flower Color: Black, blue, yellow, orange, purple, red, white, variegated
    • Deer Resistant: No
  • 06 of 20

    Fritillaria

    Fritillaria plant with white and purple bell-shaped flowers drooping on thin stems

    The Spruce / Evgeniya Vlasova

    Blooming in the late spring to early summer, fritillaria bulbs offer a wide range of colors. Fritillaria meleagris (snakehead or checkered lily), pictured, produces delicate bell-like flowers that dangle from slender stems. Fritillaria imperialis (crown imperial) is a large bulb that produces a three-to-four-foot single stem topped by a cluster of yellow, orange, or red bells and a spiky green top knot. All parts of the plant emit an unpleasant odor, so they are not suitable as indoor cut flowers.

    • Name: Fritillaria (Fritillaria spp.)
    • USDA Hardiness Zones: 3a to 8b (snakehead) and 5a to 8b (crown imperial)
    • Light: Full sun to dappled shade
    • Soil: Well-draining, neutral
    • Flower Color: Pink, lavender, white
    • Deer Resistant: Yes
  • 07 of 20

    Glory of the Snow

    Glory of the Snow Chionodoxa luciliae

    Martin Wahlborg/ iStock/ Getty Images Plus

    An early spring blooming bulb with star-shaped blue-purple flowers, Glory of the Snow blooms from February to March and the foliage dies down by late spring to early summer. Plant bulbs three inches deep and two to three inches apart. They need moisture during the growing season but tolerate dry summers. The plants spread and can be used as a ground cover and work well in rock gardens and woodland gardens.

    • Name: Glory of the Snow (Chionodoxa luciliae)
    • USDA Hardiness Zones: 3a to 8b
    • Light: Full sun, dapple shade
    • Soil: Well-draining, neutral
    • Flower Color: Blue, white, violet
    • Deer Resistant: Yes
  • 08 of 20

    Grape Hyacinth

    Grape Hyacinth

    The Spruce / Marie Iannotti

    The tiny grape hyacinth bulb produces flower clusters that look like bunches of grapes and they are deceptively hardy. Don't plant bulbs more than two inches deep. They are fleshy bulbs that can dry out quickly because they are so small, so water them well after planting. And keep them watered until the ground freezes or is covered by snow. Once established, they won't need any extra care. The bulbs multiply rapidly, so divide them in late summer while they are dormant.

    • Name: Grape Hyacinth (Muscari armeniacum)
    • USDA Hardiness Zones: 4a to 8b
    • Light: Full sun, dappled light
    • Soil: Moist, Well-draining, neutral to slightly acidic
    • Flower Color: Blue, lavender, white
    • Deer Resistant: Yes
    Continue to 9 of 20 below
  • 09 of 20

    Greek Windflower

    Anemone blanda, Greek Windflower An early flowering anemone growing in the shade of the garden. It comes in blue,white and pink.

    brytta/ E+/ Getty Images

    Greek Windflower bulbs flower in spring and grow only six inches high. The large blue-purple flowers appear in early spring and last for about four weeks. Plant the bulbs in partially shady areas, and moist soil. They can grow in full sun if kept moist during fall and spring. The bulbs are ideal for planting in rock gardens, under trees or shrubs, and in woodland settings.

    • Name: Greek Windflower (Anemonoides blanda)
    • USDA Hardiness Zones: 4a to 9b
    • Light: Full sun
    • Soil: Well-draining, neutral
    • Flower Color: Blue, purple, pink, white
    • Deer Resistant: No
  • 10 of 20

    Hyacinth

    Blue hyacinth Hyacinthus orientalis

    Alex Potemkin/ E+/ Getty Images

    Known for their distinctive shape, sweet fragrance, and bold colors, hyacinths bloom in mid-spring with each bulb usually producing only one flower. Bulbs are commonly grown in containers, especially when forced for indoor winter bloom. For outdoor landscapes plant in mass or to edge beds. Grown as an outdoor perennial, expect smaller-sized, widely-spaced flowers each successive year. Toxic to dogs, cats, and horses.

    • Name: Hyacinth (Hyacinthus orientalis)
    • USDA Hardiness Zones: 4a to 8b
    • Light: Full sun
    • Soil: Well-draining, neutral
    • Flower Color: Pink, purple, white, blue, red, orange, yellow
    • Deer Resistant: No
  • 11 of 20

    Lilies (Lilium spp.)

    Oriental trumpet 'Redford' lilies with pink flowers closeup

    The Spruce / Evgeniya Vlasova

    Chosen for their rainbow of colors and sweet scents, lilies are a rugged flowering bulb in the garden. Start with the largest bulbs you can afford because large bulbs are the most hardy. Make sure the soil has good drainage, and because lilies never go into full dormancy, leave the plants standing after they bloom and continue to keep them watered regularly. Good bulb choices are L. longiflorum x Asiatic hybrid (Asiatic lilies), Lilium martagon (Turk's cap lilies or martagons), Lilium longiflorum (Trumpet lilies), and late-blooming Lilium hybrids (Oriental lilies). Lily blooms are toxic to cats.

    • Name: Lilies (Lilium spp.)
    • USDA Hardiness Zones: 3a to 8b
    • Light: Full sun to dappled shade
    • Soil: Well-draining, acidic
    • Flower Color: Orange, pink, red, white, yellow, purple, variegated
    • Deer Resistant: No
  • 12 of 20

    Lily of the Valley

    Close up of a group of tiny white-bloomed Lily of the Valley

    The Spruce / Evgeniya Vlasova

    Lily of the valley, (Convallaria majalis) forms a groundcover that grows to a height of 10 inches and a spread of one to two feet with lush green leaves and delicate, fragrant, bell-shaped white flowers. Tolerant of summer drought and heavy clay soils, plant the bulbs in shade or dappled shade. Propagated by division in the fall or by seed, though they grow slowly, their dense rhizomes can spread and choke out other plants.  Toxic to cats, dogs, and horses.

    • Name: Lily of the Valley (Convallaria majalis)
    • USDA Hardiness Zones: 3a to 7b
    • Light: Shade or dappled sun
    • Soil: Neutral, well-draining
    • Flower Color: White
    • Deer Resistant: Yes
    Continue to 13 of 20 below
  • 13 of 20

    Rain or Thunder Lily

    Rain lily plant with white upright petals and sepals

    The Spruce / Adrienne Legault

    Native to southern North America, Central America, and South America, there are more than 70 species in the Rain Lily family. In the wild, plants often burst into bloom immediately following periods of significant thunder and rain, giving them their common name. The bulbs prefer well-drained soils located in sun to part shade and produce fragrant blooms in spring, summer, or fall depending on the species.

    • Name: Rain or Thunder Lily (Zephyranthes spp.)
    • USDA Hardiness Zones: 7a to 10b
    • Light: Full sun, dappled sun
    • Soil: Neutral to acidic, moist, but well-drained
    • Flower Color: Cream/Tan, yellow, pink, white
    • Deer Resistant: No
  • 14 of 20

    Siberian Squill

    Siberian squill with blue flowers and long leaves

    The Spruce / Evgeniya Vlasova

    Siberian squill plants don't get much taller than about four to eight inches, but they bloom profusely. The tiny bulbs grow and multiply easily and the plants will also self-seed, making Siberian squill easy to grow and a perfect choice for naturalizing. Thin, sword-like leaves grow from the base of the plant and arch outward, allowing the plant's star or bell-shaped blooms to nod and droop. They are toxic to humans.

    • Name: Siberian Squill (Scilla siberica)
    • USDA Hardiness Zones: 4a to 8b
    • Light: Full sun
    • Soil: Well-draining, neutral
    • Flower Color: Blue, lavender, white
    • Deer Resistant: Yes
  • 15 of 20

    Snowdrops

    Snowdrop plant with small white bell-shaped flowers drooping on short stems

    The Spruce / Evgeniya Vlasova

    Tiny snowdrop flowers break through the frozen or snowy ground in the late winter to early spring. Because they are small blooms, plant snowdrop bulbs in groups of 12 or more about two to three inches deep. They do not need to be divided, however, if you want to move some, immediately after flowering is the best time to dig them up. Don't remove the foliage until it has considerably yellowed and degraded, as this gives the plant a chance to store nutrients for the next year.

    • Name: Snowdrops (Galanthus spp.)
    • USDA Hardiness Zones: 3a to 9b
    • Light: Full sun
    • Soil: Well-draining, neutral
    • Flower Color: White, pale green
    • Deer Resistant: Yes
  • 16 of 20

    Spring Snowflake

    Leucojum vernum, Spring Snowflakes growing in a woodland with mossy log

    SimonSkafar / Getty Images

    The bulbs grow easily grown in rich, moist, well-drained soils in full sun to partial shade. They need constant moisture during their growing and blooming season, they need consistent moisture, but they will tolerate drier soils during their dormant period. The bulbs should be planted three to four inches deep and about four to six inches apart. They are best left undisturbed once planted. Mulching is recommended to keep the soil cool and moist. The bulbs will naturalize over time. There are three species of Leucojum: L. vernum or Spring Snowflake blooms in early spring or mid-March; L. auctumnle or Autumn Snowflake blooms in the late summer and fall; and L. aestivum or Summer Snowflake blooms in mid-spring or late April and then goes dormant during the summer.

    • Name: Spring Snowflake (Leucojum vernum)
    • USDA Hardiness Zones: 4a to 8b
    • Light: Full sun to dappled shade
    • Soil: Moist, well-draining, neutral
    • Flower Color: White, green
    • Deer Resistant: Yes
    Continue to 17 of 20 below
  • 17 of 20

    Starflower

    Star flower Ipheion uniflorum

    Masahiro Makino / Getty Images

    Growing up to 10 inches tall, this plant has grass-like leaves with a garlic/onion scent and multiple flowering six-inch stems with single white to violet-blue star flowers. It becomes dormant after blooming and naturalizes into a larger spread. Plant bulbs five inches deep and space two to four inches apart, about 10-20 bulbs per sq. ft. 

    • Name: Starflower (Ipheion uniflorum)
    • USDA Hardiness Zones: 4a to 9b
    • Light: Full sun, dappled shade
    • Soil: Well-draining, neutral
    • Flower Color: White, blue, lavender
    • Deer Resistant: No
  • 18 of 20

    Tulip

    tulips

    The Spruce / Evgeniya Vlasova

    Tulips, part of the lily family, are one of the most commonly sold bulbs and are available in a wide range of blossom colors and shapes. The stems can grow from four to 28 inches in height and bloom in middle to late spring. They grow best in areas with cool, moist winters and warm dry summers and are typically grown in mass plantings. While the plants can be grown as perennials or as annuals. Species tulip bulbs perform best as perennials, while hybrids are better grown as annuals. Toxic to dogs, cats, and horses.

    • Name: Tulip (Tulipa spp.)
    • USDA Hardiness Zones: 3a to 8b
    • Light: Full sun
    • Soil: Well-draining, organic
    • Flower Color: Every color except true blue
    • Deer Resistant: No
  • 19 of 20

    Wild Hyacinth

    Wild hyacinth plant with tall stems covered with tiny lilac star-shaped flowers

    The Spruce / Evgeniya Vlasova

    Wild hyacinth, Camassia scilloides, plants like full sun, and moist soil. The bulbs bloom with star-shaped flowers in the late spring to early summer. When planting, position the pointed end of each bulb upward, about four inches deep, and water well. The foliage will begin to degrade by mid-summer, but don't remove it. The plant is still using the foliage to store nutrients for next year's blooms.

    • Name: Wild Hyacinth (Camassia scilloides)
    • USDA Hardiness Zones: 4a to 8b
    • Light: Full sun, dappled shade
    • Soil: Well-draining, moist, acidic
    • Flower Color: Lavender, pale blue, white
    • Deer Resistant: No
  • 20 of 20

    Winter Aconite

    Yellow winter aconite flowers

    The Spruce / Evgeniya Vlasova

    Blooming in late winter or early spring, Winter aconite has showy, solitary, bright yellow, cup-shaped blooms surrounded by bright green leafy bracts. The plant is low-growing and measures three to six inches tall and about six inches wide. It is long, winter-blooming but goes dormant by late spring. The bulbs are best planted in late summer to early fall. Toxic to cats, dogs, horses, and humans if ingested.

    • Name: Winter Aconite (Eranthus hyemalis)
    • USDA Hardiness Zones: 3a to 7b
    • Light: Full sun
    • Soil: Well-draining, alkaline
    • Flower Color: Yellow
    • Deer Resistant: Yes
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  1. Allium 'Globemaster.' Missouri Botanical Garden

  2. Allium. North Carolina State University Extension Toolbox.

  3. Colchicum autumnale. North Carolina State University Extension Toolbox.

  4. Autumn Crocus. ASPCA

  5. Hyacinthoides hispanica. North Carolina Extension

  6. Hyacinthoides Non-Scripta. Missouri Botanical Garden

  7. Narcissus. North Carolina State University Extension Toolbox.

  8. Iris. ASPCA

  9. Iris hollandica. North Carolina State University Extension Plant Toolbox.

  10. Fritillaria meleagris. North Carolina State University Extension Plant Toolbox.

  11. Fritillaria imperialis. North Carolina State University Extension Plant Toolbox.

  12. Chionodoxa luciliae. North Carolina State University Extension Plant Toolbox.

  13. Muscari armeniacum. North Carolina State University Extension Plant Toolbox.

  14. Anemonoides blanda. North Carolina State University Extension Plant Toolbox.

  15. Hyacinthus orientalis. North Carolina State University Extension Plant Toolbox.

  16. Hyacinth. ASPCA.

  17. Lilium. North Carolina State University Extension Plant Toolbox.

  18. Lily. ASPCA.

  19. Convallaria majalisa. North Carolina State University Extension Plant Toolbox.

  20. Lily of the Valley. ASPCA.

  21. Zephyranthes. North Carolina State University Extension Plant Toolbox.

  22. Scilla siberica. North Carolina State University Extension Plant Toolbox.

  23. Galanthus nivalis. North Carolina State University Extension Plant Toolbox.

  24. Leucojum. North Carolina State University Extension Plant Toolbox.

  25. Ipheion uniflorum. North Carolina State University Extension Plant Toolbox.

  26. Tulipa. North Carolina State University Extension Plant Toolbox.

  27. Tulip. ASPCA.

  28. Camassia sciloides. North Carolina State University Extension Plant Toolbox.

  29. Eranthis hyemalis. North Carolina State University Extension Plant Toolbox.

  30. Winter Aconite, Eranthis hyemalis. University of Wisconsin Horticulture.