Fall is a busy time for us gardeners as we work hard to get our yards ready for winter and prepared for spring. One of the most vital things to get done in October is planting all your spring bulbs, ahead of the first frost.
Bulb planting earns its place at the top of the fall gardening checklist for a good reason. Getting your bulbs in the ground now gives them a crucial cold period, setting them up for strong root establishment and bright blooms. Careful planning around which bulbs to plant in October will reward you with a spring garden exploding with vibrant color.
From yellow daffodils to purple hyacinths and a rainbow range of tulips, there are so many possibilities for a spring display. If you're feeling overwhelmed by the choice, look no further. Here, I've compiled the best bulbs to plant in October for spring color, with tips from experts on how to get the most out of them.
7 bulbs to plant in October for spring color
Many of these bulbs are perennial bulbs to plant in fall, meaning they will provide you with returning blooms each year. Just take care to consider your US hardiness zone when choosing from the spring bulbs below, to ensure you plant ones that are suited to your local climate.
1. Crocus
- US hardiness zone: 3-8
- Flowering time: January-March
Crocus is one of the most versatile 'bulbs' (technically corms) to plant in October. As pictured above, these typically purple and white blooms are impactful when planted en masse on a lawn as a bulb for naturalizing, but they can also work well in borders and pots.
'Crocuses tend to do well in cold climates, and many multiply well. As long as winter has regular cool nights and cool days, crocus should perform well,' says master gardener Mary Jane Duford from Home for the Harvest
'In warm winter climates (US hardiness zone 9–10 and above), crocuses struggle because they require winter chilling. If your area doesn't drop below about 40°F for a month or two, you'll need to pre-chill crocus corms for reliable blooms,' Mary advises.
When planting crocus bulbs, plant them 3-4 inches deep and close together. You can use this bulb planting tool with a depth marker from Amazon to help with this.
Find crocus bulbs at Burpee.
Find crocus bulbs at Amazon.
Find crocus bulbs at True Leaf Market.
2. Daffodils
- US hardiness zone: 3-8
- Flowering time: January-May
Daffodils are some of the most classic spring bulbs and for many, they're the first sign of spring as they emerge early in the season.
'Daffodils are a fantastic choice for a perennial garden as they reliably return year after year and are naturally deer-resistant,' says Laura Janney, CEO of The Inspired Garden.
'For an appealing garden layout, plant daffodil bulbs about a third of the way back in your garden beds rather than along the border. This allows other plants to hide their fading foliage,' she advises.
While the iconic yellow varieties bring lots of color, there are other varieties of narcissi bulbs to consider, too.
For example, these Replete Daffodil Bulbs from Burpee are a beautiful white variety with ruffled petals and a peach center.
To enhance your display, pair them with plants that complement daffodils, such as monkey grass and irises.
Find daffodil bulbs at Burpee.
Find daffodil bulbs at Amazon.
Find daffodil bulbs at True Leaf Market.
3. Tulips
- US hardiness zone: 3-8
- Flowering time: March-May
Tulips are the ultimate spring flower and one of the best bulbs to plant in October for spring color because they come in an endless number of hues, variegations, and even shapes – just take a look at our guide to the different types of tulips. Some of the most eye-catching are fringed tulips.
'Tulips are a delightful way to bring vibrant color to your spring garden. However, they tend to have a shorter bloom time compared to other bulbs. To extend the display, mix different tulip varieties with varying bloom times,' Laura suggests
'Since tulips typically last only a year or two, we often treat them as annuals and replant them each season,' she adds.
For this reason, after tulips bloom and their foliage has died back, you should lift them and store them over the summer until it's time to replant in the fall.
They work particularly well in containers as some of the easiest spring bulbs to grow in pots. Just take care to plant tulip bulbs correctly, with the pointed tip facing upwards.
Find tulip bulbs at Burpee.
Find tulip bulbs at Amazon.
Find tulip bulbs at True Leaf Market.
4. Camassia
- US hardiness zone: 4-9
- Flowering time: April-June
Alongside the classic yellows and pinks of spring bulbs, consider adding some blue flowers into the mix. Camassia is a great option for this, and it also comes in hues of creamy white and pale pink.
To grow camassia, plant the bulbs 3–4 inches deep. They can reach a height of three feet heigh, making them a good addition to the back of displays.
For this reason, camassia are on the list of bulbs to never plant in pots, though they do perform well in sunny borders and adapt well to partial shade.
Find camassia bulbs at Burpee.
Find camassia bulbs at Amazon.
5. Hyacinths
- US hardiness zone: 4-8
- Flowering time: March-April
For pastel spring hues, choose hyacinth varieties. These are particularly impressive when you grow hyacinth bulbs in containers packed closely together.
'Hyacinth bulbs are a bit smaller than large tulips or daffodils, but still substantial. Plant hyacinth bulbs about 4–6 inches deep and space them a minimum of 4–6 inches apart,' Mary advises.
'You should use gloves (like these floral gardening gloves from Amazon) when handling hyacinth bulbs, as they contain oxalic acid that can cause minor skin irritation for some people,' she warns.
These bulbs produce clusters of charming blooms in all colors, from pink, purple, white and even yellow. They're great for filling in gaps between taller bulbs, too, as they typically reach between 6–12 inches tall.
Find hyacinth bulbs at Burpee.
Find hyacinth bulbs at Amazon.
Find hyacinth bulbs at True Leaf Market.
6. Alliums
- US hardiness zone: 3-9
- Flowering time: May-July
If your aim is to create a pollinator garden for spring, then add alliums to your list of bulbs to plant in October. These spherical blooms are bee and butterfly magnets.
The most common colors of alliums are purple and white, with 'Purple Sensation' (bulbs from Amazon) being one of the most popular varieties, thanks to its large flowerheads and staggering height of three feet.
Other varieties of alliums are much smaller. 'Ping Pong' (bulbs from Amazon), for example, reaches just 24 inches in height.
Plant allium bulbs at a depth of two or three times the height of the bulb. You can use this garden bulb trowel with a depth marker from Amazon to help with the measurements.
Find allium bulbs from Burpee.
Find allium bulbs at Amazon.
Find allium bulbs at True Leaf Market.
7. Snake's head fritillary
- US hardiness zone: 3-8
- Flowering time: April-May
One of the most unusual bulbs to plant in fall delivers a unique purple bloom with a checkered pattern. Snake's head fritillary is an eye-catching flower that is popular for planting in lawns, borders, and pots.
As well as the classic purple variety, these bulbs also come in white.
To grow snake's head fritillary, plant bulbs at a depth of 3-5 inches in the fall. Make sure to choose a partial shade position, where they tend to perform best.
It's also key to let them naturally die back after flowering, allowing green foliage to stay for as long as possible to conserve energy in the bulb for next year's growth.
Find snake's head fritillary bulbs at Burpee.
Find snake's head fritillary bulbs at Amazon.
FAQs
Is it too late to plant spring bulbs in November?
November is not necessarily too late to plant spring bulbs, especially if planting bulbs in containers undercover (like in a greenhouse) for earlier blooming. But many regions will already be experiencing frost by November. Once frost arrives, it can be very difficult to work with the ground to plant bulbs. Instead, aim to plant bulbs before frost, which will also give them a sufficient amount of cold exposure through fall and winter before starting root development.
Choosing a number of these bulbs to plant in October is guaranteed to put on a colorful display in your yard come spring. For more tips on planting this season, check out our guide to planting bulbs in fall.
Shop bulb planting tools:
This long handled bulb planting tool makes bulb planting less strenuous. Simply step down to push the tool into the soil, leaving behind a hole for bulbs.
