The 10 most beautiful bulbs to plant now in autumn to have colorful gardens in spring

Autumn is a bit like a second spring, especially for planting bulbous plants and waiting to see them bloom with their riot of colors in spring

“Autumn planting is about cultivating your garden so that it can look its best as soon as the snow melts” is one of the best-known folk sayings and October is the ideal month to plant bulbs, but which one to choose?

The possibilities are very numerous and you can select the flowers according to your tastes or favorite colors.

From daffodils to tulips, here are some useful tips for choosing bulbs to plant in autumn in preparation for the spring garden. (Read also: The 10 most beautiful autumn flowers to have a shining garden even after the summer)

Crocus (Crocus)

Crocuses, flowers from the same family as saffron, bloom at the beginning of spring and herald its arrival. They are able to pop up even in the snow. The flowers are usually yellow or violet. You can plant the bulbs in pots or in the gardenat the foot of the already bare trees, where the earth will not be disturbed. Place the bulbs about 10cm deep, with the flat side facing the ground. It is possible to find bulbs from nurseries or even online (affiliate link). (Read also: Saffron, September is the right month to bury the bulbs of the precious plant to have free red gold in the kitchen)

Daffodils

daffodils

Daffodils are the protagonist flowers of legends and poems, as well as true symbols of spring. Their typical yellow color is flattering cheerfulness. You can find daffodils (affiliate link) of different shades and sizes. They will flower when the sunny days of spring arrive. You can plant daffodils at the edge of the garden or the garden, or create a multicolored flowerbed.

Tulips

tulips

Who doesn’t love tulips? It’s the ideal time to bury their bulbs. They will bloom in spring and will cheer you up with their colorful petals. Plant the bulbs between September and Octoberbefore the onset of frost. Place them at a distance of 100-15 cm from each other, with the tip facing upwards and 5-10 cm deep. (

Snowdrop

bulbs 4 snowdrops

THE snowdroplike crocuses, proverbially mark the end of winter. Their white flowers can resist even cold temperatures. Their presence creates a wonderful contrast in the still uncultivated land. Snowdrops love the company of other flowers. Plant them in small groups and transplant them, to space them, when the leaves or the first buds have appeared. Place the bulbs 5 cm deep and 5 cm apart from each other.

Bluebells

bluebells

Bluebells are a classic of lawns and gardens. Over time they will multiply creating a wonderful blue carpet and violet. Bluebells love partial shade. Plant their bulbs at the foot of trees that remain bare in autumn, or next to snowdrop. Place the bluebell bulbs 10cm deep and away from each other.

Iris

iris name 00

Blue, purple, orange and yellow. Thanks to irises you can create a real rainbow of colors in the garden. You can sow poppies, cornflowers and wild herbs next to them, to create a very pleasant effect. They grow in both cold and mild climates. Plant the iris bulbs about 6 cm deep and at the same distance from each other.

Allium

allium

Plant the bulbs allium in autumn if you want to see them flower in late spring or early summer, with a real explosion of colours. They are suitable for vegetable borders. They can range from pink to purple to violet. They love to be positioned in full sun. For early flowering, grow allium bulbs in pots, in a place sheltered from the cold. Plant the bulbs at a depth of 6-8 cm and at a distance of 10-12 cm. (

Lilies

lilies

Choose spring-flowering lily bulbs, which you can plant in autumn. Grow lilies on the terrace or in the garden, in one semi-sunny position. Bury the bulbs at a depth of at least 10 cm and at a distance of 5 cm from each other. Lilies don’t like too wet soil. Therefore, add a little sand to the soil to encourage their development.

Hyacinths

hyacinth

Plant hyacinth bulbs in autumn, before the frosts arrive. You can choose between various colors: blue, pink, violet, orange and others. Plant hyacinth bulbs in pots or in the garden. You can keep the bulbs ofprevious year and plant them again when autumn arrives. Place them at a depth of at least 10 cm and a distance of 10-15 cm.

Muscari

muscari bulbs

Muscari flowers in full spring, between April and May. It can reach a height of 25 cm. It is especially suitable for women borders of vegetable gardens and gardens, as well as for flowerbeds. It is also known as bunch hyacinth. You can find light blue, blue and violet flowers. Plant the muscari bulbs about 5-7 cm deep.

Useful tips for planting bulbs in autumn

What soil to use

For a successful autumn planting, it is essential to choose the right soil, most bulbs, such as tulips and lilies, prefer well-drained soil to avoid waterlogging, which can cause rot. In clay or compact soils it is best to mix coarse sand or perlite into the soil to improve drainage. Climatic conditions are also important: if you live in regions subject to heavy frosts, consider covering the bulbs with a thin layer of mulch or dry leaves. This natural protection will keep the soil warm and prevent freezing, facilitating their development over the winter.

How to care for and protect them in winter

Winter can put a strain on newly planted bulbous plants, but with some simple natural strategies it is possible to preserve them without using polluting materials. A carpet of dry leaves, straw or pine needles not only protects from the cold but nourishes the soil once it decomposes. Covering bulbs is especially useful in colder regions, while pot growers can move containers to sheltered areas such as covered porches or balconies.

Protecting bulbous plants from parasites does not necessarily mean resorting to chemicals. Neem oil, for example, is an ecological ally: just dilute it in water and spray it in the places where the bulbs are buried to ward off parasites such as aphids and soil insects. Rotating planting areas is another effective method for preventing fungal and parasitic diseases that tend to affect the same areas. This practice improves the health of the soil, promoting healthier and more resistant plants and reducing the need for further interventions.

How to organize bulbous plants to have blooms all year round

For an explosion of colors that lasts from late winter to late spring, arrange your bulbous plants with graduated blooms. Snowdrops and crocuses are the first to bloom, often as early as February, while daffodils and tulips fill the garden between March and April. Hyacinths color April, and around May the allium makes its appearance with flowers that resemble colored spheres. This sequence allows you to have a garden always full of fresh flowers and bright colors, without ever leaving it bare during spring.

Then combine the bulbs thinking about colors and contrasts to create spectacular visual effects, you can combine white tulips with pink lilies; if you prefer a lively contrast, try combining red tulips with blue hyacinths. For an elegant effect, however, combine pale yellow daffodils and cream tulips.

Annual bulb planning sheet

To simplify your sowing, we have prepared a summary sheet on autumn bulbous plants and their flowering period:

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