Bulbs For Fall Growing: What Are Fall Flowering Bulbs

Bulbs that flower in the fall adds beauty, color, and variety to the late-season garden. Different types of bulbs produce different flowers, and each has specific growing needs. Be sure to pick bulbs for fall growing that do well in your area, soil, type, and amount of sunlight. Let's take a look at some common fall flower bulbs.

What Are Fall Flowering Bulbs I Can Plant?

Here are some of the more common bulbs that flower in fall or late summer:

Autumn Crocus - This beautiful flower can be pink, red, or purple and have very large leaves. It blooms in early fall and can reach a height of 8 inches (20 cm.). It prefers well-drained soil and partial shade.

Calla Lilies - Calla lilies have green speckled pointed leaves and funnel-shaped flowers. These fall bulbs are usually white, pink, orange, or yellow. This plant can be 1 to 4 feet (0.5-1 m.) high and likes full sun or partial shade. Calla lilies need to have well-drained soil, and can be brought inside during the colder winter months.

Climbing Lily - This climbing vine has yellow and red flowers that look like lilies. It blooms in early fall and can climb up to 6 feet (2 m.) high. This vine prefers to grow in an area with filtered sunlight.

Fall Blooming Crocus - These pretty flowers can bloom white, purple, or blue, as well as red and orange. These plants can grow up to 6 inches (15 cm.) high and bloom from the middle to the end of fall. For best growth, crocuses require well-drained soil and full to partial sun.

Lily-of-the-Nile - This pretty plant has small flowers that bloom in blue and white clusters in the early fall. This plant grows to be around 3 feet (1 m.) high and likes to have full sun. These lilies do well in containers and can be brought indoors over the winter.

Rain Lilies - These beautiful flowers only show their blooms after a rainstorm, which makes them a fun addition to your garden. The blooms are pink and white and they will bloom all through summer and fall. They only grow to about 6 inches (15 cm.) high and prefer wet, shaded areas.

Summer Hyacinths - These interesting-looking plants grow tall spikes with small white flowers and are considered some of the most beautiful summer plant bulbs available. These little flowers are very fragrant and bloom all summer into early fall. The stems of this plant usually reach 40 inches (1 m.) tall. Hyacinths prefer well-drained soil and partial shade.

Peacock Orchids - These beautiful blooms are white with a deep purple center. They bloom from the late summer to early fall and grow up to 4 feet (1 m.) high. They like to be grown in full sun or partial shade. They do best with heavy mulch in the winter.

Tips for Planting Fall Bulbs

Select quality bulbs that are firm and big. Small mushy bulbs will most likely not bloom well. Plant bulbs at the proper depth. Most bulbs do well in a hole three times as deep as they are tall. Check planting instructions that come with your purchased bulbs for further information.

Plant them facing the right way. The pointy side of the bulb needs to be facing upright. Don't just throw them in a hole and expect them to grow well. Give them some compost. Improving your soil quality will help your bulbs grow into big beautiful blooms. Add compost and mulch well. Water your bulbs after planting. Check the soil around them a few days after planting. If it seems dry, give them a drink.