Which flower bulbs do you plant in the autumn?

Autumn is just around the corner. Want to know when to plant flower bulbs to enjoy colour again in spring? The answer is shorter than you think. From mid-September until the first frost, you can plant flower bulbs that will bloom next spring. Think of crocuses, daffodils, hyacinths, tulips, alliums, anemones and grape hyacinths. They all go into the ground in autumn while the soil is still warm.

In this article, we list the seven flower bulbs you can plant in autumn, including the planting depth, flowering time and the best time to put them in the ground.

Why plant flower bulbs in autumn?

Flower bulbs that bloom in spring need cold. This is because everything is already ready inside the bulb, including the flower, leaves and stored food, but it must first experience a period of several weeks of cold before the bulb starts to form a stem. It only gets this cold period if it spends the winter in the ground.

What's more, the soil is still nice and warm in September and October. The bulb can then grow roots steadily without anything happening above ground. By the time it really gets cold, it is firmly established. If you wait until March to plant, it will miss out on both the cold and the root-growing period, and it will often only produce leaves.

When exactly should you plant which flower bulbs?

September, October or November. The planting period for autumn bulbs runs from mid-September until the first night frost, but not every bulb wants to go in at the same time:

• From mid-September to October is the time for daffodils, alliums, crocuses, grape hyacinths and Anemone blanda. These bulbs like to grow long roots and can be planted first.
• From October to early November is the time for tulips and hyacinths. With tulips, wait until the soil temperature drops below 10 degrees. If you plant them in warm soil, the risk of mould and bulb diseases is higher. We never plant the first tulips in September at the nursery either.
• November is often still fine, as long as the ground is not frozen or waterlogged. Planting later usually means that flowering will be delayed by a week or two. That's no disaster. A bulb planted late in the ground is still better than a bulb left in the bag.

The seven autumn bulbs listed

At Bulbs4You, we offer a variety of flower bulbs that you should plant in autumn to enjoy a colourful garden in spring. We have listed the 7 flower bulbs and their ideal planting time for you:

When should you plant crocuses?

Crocuses are the first flowers you see. They poke through the bare ground in February and sometimes bloom while there is still a little snow. Plant them in groups of ten or more, 5 to 8 cm deep, and leave them to stand undisturbed after they have finished flowering: crocuses return year after year and look lovely as they naturalise in the grass. A delightful sight and the true beginning of spring!

When should you plant grape hyacinths?

Grape hyacinths do the same job as crocuses, but in a deep blue colour that photographers love. They are small, usually inexpensive and exceptionally hardy. Plant them 5 to 8 cm deep along a path or under a tree and then forget about them. After a few years, you will have more than you planted!

When should you plant daffodils?

Daffodils can be planted first, from mid-September. They like to be planted deeper than the rest, 12 to 15 cm, and they do not like having wet feet. In March and April, they bloom in yellow, white, orange or a combination of these colours. Daffodils are also the bulbs that moles and voles do not want to dig up, so they are a safe choice in a garden with lots of visitors.

When should you plant hyacinths?

Plant hyacinths in October or November, 10 to 15 cm deep. You will often smell them before you see them. Did you know that one group of hyacinths by the front door is enough to make your whole path smell wonderful? They bloom in March and April, at the same time as the daffodils. Hyacinths also do well in a pot indoors.

When should you plant anemones?

Anemone blanda is one of the true autumn bulbs. Plant it from September to November, 5 cm deep. It will bloom in March and April in blue, white or pink. Note: the larger Anemone coronaria is different. Plant it in February or March, or in autumn in a sheltered spot.

When should you plant tulips?

Tulips do not need to be planted first. Wait until October, when the soil temperature is below 10 degrees, and plant them 10 to 15 cm deep with the point facing up. They will then bloom beautifully in April and May. If you want to know exactly how and when, we have written a separate article about it!

When should you plant alliums?

Allium, also known as ornamental onion, is the bulb that rounds off the season. It blooms in May and June, after the tulips have finished flowering. Plant large bulbs deep, up to 20 cm. Plant smaller varieties 10 to 15 cm deep. Leave the bulbs in the ground after they have finished flowering, and they will return. The dried flower heads are also beautiful in a vase.

How to plant flower bulbs effectively

The rule of thumb is actually very simple. Plant a bulb two to three times as deep as it is tall. If you have a 5 cm bulb, plant it 10 to 15 cm deep, measured from the top of the bulb to the soil surface. Also keep the following points in mind:

• Point facing up: with an irregular corm, such as an anemone, the flat side is the bottom.
• Spacing: approximately twice the width of the bulb. Planting them close together will give a fuller effect.
• Loose, well-drained soil: mix heavy clay with some sand or potting compost; bulbs really cannot tolerate standing water.
• Plant in groups: seven, ten or fifteen bulbs together in an irregular shape will look more natural than a row.
• No need to fertilise: the bulb already contains all the nutrients needed for the first year.

Flower bulbs in a pot or on your balcony?

No garden? Most bulbs also work excellently in pots. Use a pot that is at least 20 cm deep with holes in the bottom, fill it with fresh potting compost and plant the bulbs closer together than you would in the garden. Place the pot against a wall in winter, sheltered from the wind, and keep the soil moist but not wet.

Brenda's tip: you can also layer bulbs. Put the large bulbs at the bottom and the small ones on top. This way, the same pot will bloom from February to May.

Buy flower bulbs from Bulbs4You

In autumn, order quality flower bulbs from Bulbs4You, which you can often start planting straight away in autumn. Our bulbs come from growers here in the Bollenstreek whom we know personally. We live and work among the fields, so we know exactly where a batch comes from and how it has been treated. Before shipping, we check the bulbs again for quality, so that you can put strong, healthy bulbs in the ground.

Your order will be dispatched within a few days and will usually arrive within 4 working days. From €70, you pay no shipping costs. This way, you can enjoy a wonderful spring garden soon.

View all autumn bulbs

Frequently asked questions about flower bulbs

Can you still plant flower bulbs in December?

You can still plant flower bulbs in December, as long as the ground is not frozen. Flowering will be delayed and sometimes will be slightly shorter. If you only get around to it after the frost, plant the bulbs in pots and place them in a cool, sheltered spot; this works better than waiting until spring.

How deep should you plant flower bulbs?

Plant flower bulbs two to three times as deep as the bulb is tall, measured from the top of the bulb. For most autumn bulbs, this means 10 to 15 cm; crocuses, grape hyacinths and anemones need to be planted shallower, around 5 cm.

Do you need to replant flower bulbs every year?

No, you do not need to replant most flower bulbs every year. Daffodils, crocuses, grape hyacinths and alliums return year after year and often look even better. Tulips and hyacinths become less effective after a few years; replant them when the flowers become smaller.

Which bulbs are poisonous to cats and dogs?

Tulips, hyacinths and daffodils are poisonous to cats and dogs, especially the bulb itself. Plant them in a place where your pet does not like to dig, or choose a pot out of reach. If you are unsure after your pet has eaten parts of a plant, call the vet or the NVIC. We have written a separate article about it.

Which flower bulbs return every year?

Naturalising bulbs return year after year and often spread on their own. Think of daffodils, crocuses, grape hyacinths, snowdrops, ornamental onions and botanical tulips. Large-flowered tulips are not among them: they usually give a strong display for one year and then become weaker. It is important that the soil is well-drained and that you leave the foliage after flowering until it turns yellow. This is how the bulb gets its energy for the next year.

How many flower bulbs do you need per square metre?

That depends on the size of the bulb. Plant small bulbs such as crocuses and grape hyacinths at around 100 to 150 per square metre, medium-sized bulbs such as tulips and daffodils at 50 to 70, and large bulbs such as ornamental onions at 10 to 25. If you want a full field of flowers, aim for the upper end of those ranges. For a natural look, plant more widely and in groups of seven to fifteen bulbs of each variety.