Fall-flowering bulbs are a great option to liven up your garden in autumn. They are planted in the spring or summer and they bloom in the fall. This article lists the varieties of flower bulbs that you can plant and some tips for caring for them.

Spring-flowering bulbs include daffodils, roses, and tulips; these bloom in spring. But there are many flowers that bloom in autumn which are grown from bulbs as well. Fall-flowering bulbs are usually planted in spring or early summer. Some fall flowers are dahlia, colchicum, cyclamen, and magic lily. These flowers are perfect to brighten your garden even in autumn.

Bulbs for Spring Planting

To add visual appeal to your garden in autumn, you need to plan ahead. The best way to ensure that you have beautiful fall flowers is to plant a selection of flowering bulbs during spring or summer. Some of the best bulbs for this are cyclamens, autumn crocuses, and hardier varieties of lilies.

The most spectacular of fall plants are the colchicums or meadow saffron crocuses. They grow very close to the ground in great profusion. The blooms are purple and lavender, and their size ranges from 2-8 inches in diameter. They have multiple petals and are star shaped. They require well-drained soil with a moderate amount of sunlight to grow. A single saffron crocus bulb produces many flowers.

Another fall flower is the canna. There are many varieties of cannas that can be planted in spring; the most common are in colors of yellow, orange, red, and pink. Some cannas are striped or spotted. They grow up to 5-6 feet in height and require well-drained soil with lots of sunlight to grow.

A variety of lily that blooms from August to September is the belladonna lily. These plants grow to a height of up to 36 inches, and produce bright pink funnel shaped flowers with large petals. A classic fall flower is the calla lily which blooms from July to October. These flowers are funnel shaped and grow in colors of pink, yellow, and white.

Peacock orchids are great to brighten up your garden. These fall-blooming bulbs look very similar to gladioli, they are white with a deep purple center. The plant grows up to 3 feet in height, and requires well-drained soil with partial sunlight. They are highly fragrant and bloom in profusion. Other bulbs that are popular among gardeners and landscape artists are tuberous begonias. They come in a lot of different colors from brilliant fuchsia to sober peach. These plants require rich soil with moderate sunlight to grow.

Some other fall-flowering bulbs are asters, goldenrods, anemones, cornflowers, marigolds, thunbergias, violas, pansies, snapdragons, and nasturtiums. Adequate sunlight, well-drained soil, and proper fertilizers will produce the most amazing flowers in your garden during the fall.