Fall Bulbs

While the spring and summer selection of garden bulbs is numerous, there are only a few fall bulbs.

When discussing fall garden bulbs, I'm talking about bulbs that flower in the fall which get planted in late spring to mid summer. Fall is the time to plant all your spring flowering bulbs also, so it can get confusing at times. Companies typically carry bulbs at the times when they should be planted, so you won't find summer and fall flowering bulbs in stock if you shop during September and October.

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Fall Flowering Bulbs

Meadow Saffron (Colchicum species)
The white to pinkish flowers reach a height of 6 to 8 inches in height. Colchicum bloom early to mid fall
They grow best in full sun to part shade.
Colchicums are poisonous, so make sure you get them planted as quickly as you can and don't let your pets dig them up.

Fall Flowering Crocus(Crocus species)
These flowers look exactly like the spring variety and come in yellow, lavender, blue and white.
These fall bulbs bloom in mid to late fall adding a nice splash of color to your garden.
Plant in a full sun to part shade area of your yard.

Flower Bulbs You Can Entice To Bloom In Fall

Elephant Ears(Colocasia esculenta)
Ok, this isn't a flower producing bulb, but it's well worth growing for the large ornamental leaves it produces. The green or black leaves produced reach a huge 3 to 6 feet.
Plant in full sun.
Dig the bulb up before the first frost and carefully store the bulb in a dry area for the winter.

Surprise Lilies, Magic Lilies or Naked Ladies (Lycoris species)
One of those mystery plants that bears no leaves during its time of bloom. The flowers on ones I grow have pink flowers produced on a stalk between 24 to 30 inches.
Bloom time is mid to late summer.
The first year you plant these fall bulbs you can spread the planting time over several weeks in order to stagger the flowering so that some will flower in early fall. During the second year if left in the ground over the winter, their internal clock will revert the flowering times back to the mid to late summer time period.

Tuberous Begonias(Begonia species)
This popular flower will bloom during fall if you plant the tuber in early to mid summer.
Flowers range in colors from white to deep red, with some really neat oranges and pinks also available. Plant reaches 12 to 24 inches in height.
The bulb is not hardy so dig the plant up after the first killing frost and store in a dry place for the winter.

(purple in color) and other colorful gladiolus can be enticed to bloom late by staggering the planting over a series of weeks.

Not What You Were Looking For?

Were you looking for Fall Bulbs for planting in the fall so they bloom in spring? Look at the spring bulbs page

More About Bulbs

Garden Bulbs
Bulb Care
Bulb Food
Flower Bulbs
Deer Resistant Bulbs
Summer Bulbs
Storing Bulbs
Buying Flower Bulbs
Planting Bulbs
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