Every spring, neighborhoods come alive with color — tulips, daffodils, hyacinths, and more bursting through the soil as the very first signs of life after winter. It feels like magic, but here’s the truth: that spring magic starts in the fall.

Why Plant Bulbs in the Fall?

Fall may feel like the end of the gardening season, but for spring-blooming bulbs, it’s just the beginning. Bulbs like tulips, daffodils, hyacinths, fritillaria and crocus need a period of cold weather to grow strong roots and prepare for their big show in the spring. When planted in the fall, they spend the winter underground, quietly developing and storing energy until they’re ready to burst into bloom.

Planting bulbs in the fall ensures:

Healthier roots: Cool soil helps bulbs establish strong root systems.
Low maintenance: Once planted, bulbs require very little care.
Year-after-year beauty: Many bulbs naturalize, meaning they’ll return and multiply for blooms years to come.
An early splash of color: Bulbs are among the very first flowers to sprout and bloom, bringing joy to your garden while everything else is still waking up.

A little planning now means a lot of beauty later.

Bulbs We Love To Plant

Below are some of our favorite typs of bulbs to plant to get a dramatic and beautiful spring garden.

Daffodils/Narcissi

Welcome spring with daffodils—the golden stars of the season! These carefree bulbs burst to life just as winter fades, filling your garden with bright, joyful color year after year. Plus, unlike tulips, daffodils aren’t on the squirrel menu—making them a reliable (and stunning) choice for early spring blooms.

Alliums

Turn heads this spring with the bold, globe-like blooms of alliums! Part of the onion family, these stunning flowers range from white to soft lavender to deep purple and can grow 2–4 feet tall, making them perfect for adding height and texture to your garden. Loved by pollinators and resistant to deer and rabbits, Alliums are as easy to grow as they are striking. Plant them this fall for a unique, long-lasting display next spring.

Tulips

A true spring classic, tulips bring bold color and elegance to any garden. With thousands of varieties in nearly every shade, tulips bloom in early to late spring and create dazzling displays when planted in groups. Easy to grow and perfect for borders, beds, or containers, they return each year with timeless beauty. Plant tulip bulbs this fall and look forward to a vibrant, cheerful garden next spring.

Crocus

Be the first to see color in your garden with crocus! These petite blooms often break through the last snow, signaling that spring has finally arrived. Available in shades of purple, yellow, and white, crocus naturalize easily and return year after year in larger clusters. Plant them this fall for an early splash of cheer next spring.

Fritillaria

Bring drama and elegance to your spring garden with fritillaries! This diverse group of bulbs is known for their unique, nodding, bell-shaped flowers in a range of colors and patterns — from the bold, exotic Crown Imperials in fiery orange, red, and yellow, to the delicate, checkered blooms of Fritillaria meleagris. Whether you want a tall focal point or a charming naturalized look, fritillaries add something truly different to spring plantings. Best of all, deer and rodents usually leave them alone, making them as practical as they are stunning.

Plant Fall Bulbs For A Beautiful Spring Garden