When autumn arrives, there are two approaches to gardening: pack everything away until spring, or plant these amazing flowers that will reward you with early blooms!
After years of gardening with my kids, these 10 fall-planted varieties have become our absolute favorites.
1. Crocus
The crocus holds a special place in my heart as it’s always the first to peek through the last bits of winter snow.
These tiny warriors come in the most gorgeous range of colors – from sunny yellows to deep purples and pristine whites. My kids love spotting the first crocus shoots pushing through the soil!
I’ve found the secret is planting them about 6-8 weeks before the first hard frost. For the best impact, I always plant them in clusters of at least three bulbs – trust me, they may be small, but grouped together, they make quite the statement!
2. Tulips
September and October are my go-to months for planting tulips. After years of trial and error, I’ve learned these beauties need some careful planning.
I plant my tulip bulbs about 4-6 inches deep in the sunniest spots of my garden. Good drainage is crucial – I learned that lesson the hard way after losing an entire batch to root rot!
One tip I always share with my gardening friends: don’t forget to trim back the foliage after blooming and give them their annual fall fertilizer treat. Just remember they might not return every spring in all areas – something I wish I’d known when I first started gardening!
3. Hyacinth
If you could bottle up spring’s fragrance, it would smell exactly like hyacinths. Their star-shaped blooms in tight clusters are simply breathtaking.
I’ve planted them in various colors over the years, but the blues and purples remain my absolute favorites. They look stunning along my garden pathway!
Plant these beauties 4-6 inches deep in well-draining soil. I’ve had great success with them in both sunny spots and partially shaded areas.
4. Daffodil
Nothing says “spring is here” quite like daffodils! These cheerful flowers have become my go-to for brightening up those last dreary days of winter.
While the traditional golden yellow varieties are classics, I’ve fallen in love with some creamy white and pale pink varieties too. Their trumpet-shaped centers always remind my kids of tiny megaphones!
Plant these hardy bulbs 3-6 inches deep (depending on size) in a sunny spot. They’re incredibly resilient – even my black thumb can’t kill them!
5. Allium
These show-stoppers look like nature’s own fireworks display! My children call them “flower lollipops” because of their perfect spherical shape.
While purple is the most common color, I’ve experimented with white and pink varieties too. They create the most magical effect in my garden from early summer.
The blooms last an impressive three weeks, making them perfect for those Instagram-worthy garden photos I love to share!
6. Peony
Oh, peonies! These dramatic bloomers are worth every bit of extra care they demand. Their fragrance alone makes me swoon every spring.
I’ve learned to support them with stakes early in the season – nothing breaks my heart more than seeing these gorgeous blooms face-down in the mud after a spring rain!
Just watch out for powdery mildew and keep up with regular pruning. These high-maintenance divas need attention, but they reward you with the most spectacular blooms from April to June.
7. Lily
Summer wouldn’t be the same without my lilies! I plant these bold beauties about 4 weeks before the first frost.
One word of caution from a cat mom: keep these away from areas where your feline friends might venture – they’re toxic to cats!
I divide my lily clusters every 3-4 years to keep them healthy and spreading beautifully throughout the garden.
8. Bluebells
These delicate flowers create the most magical woodland feel in my garden’s shaded areas. Their sky-blue blooms never fail to enchant visitors from March to May.
I plant them 4-8 inches deep in the shadier spots of my garden. They prefer partial to full shade, making them perfect for those tricky areas under trees.
The cascading effect they create reminds me of a fairy garden – my daughter’s favorite spot for her imaginary adventures!
9. Lily of the Valley
These sweet-smelling ground covers have transformed the shadier corners of my garden into something truly special.
Their white, bell-shaped flowers might be tiny, but their fragrance is mighty! Plus, the decorative berries that follow the flowers add extra visual interest.
I plant these in late fall, and they’ve formed the most beautiful dense communities under my large oak tree.
10. Snowdrops
These brave little flowers are often the first sign that winter is waning. They’ve been known to bloom as early as February in my garden!
I love watching them push through the snow, proving that nature’s strength comes in all sizes. They’re incredibly hardy and perfect for those of us in colder climates.
These early bloomers are also a crucial food source for the first pollinators of the season – making them both beautiful and beneficial to our garden ecosystem!