Fall Planting for Spring Flowers: Timing and Selection Guide
If you want a spring garden full of flowers, fall is the ideal time to get started. Join gardening expert Melissa Strauss for a guide to planting now so you'll have an extra floriferous spring garden.
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Planting spring flowers in the fall is one of the best ways to guarantee a colorful, bountiful garden in the spring. By planting in the fall, you give your plants plenty of time to establish underground. This happens best when temperatures are cool and the soil is still workable.
Fall’s natural moisture also helps bulbs and perennial roots settle in, reducing the need for extra watering. Not only will you save yourself some time in the spring, you’ll conserve resources as well by planting this time of year.
Many of our favorite, classic spring bloomers need a chilling period in the soil. This is how they form strong roots and prepare for blooming when the weather warms. Cooler air and warm soil create the perfect conditions for root development without stressing plants with summer heat.
When spring arrives, these plants burst into bloom earlier and more vigorously than those planted in spring. By planning ahead, you set the stage for a beautiful garden. One that comes alive with fresh color, fragrance, and pollinator activity just as the season shifts.
Power Planter Bulb Planting Auger & Bedding Plant Tool
Power Planter Bulb Planting Auger & Bedding Plant Tool (3″ x 7″)
What Flowers Should You Plant in the Fall for Spring Flowers?
Most bulbs require a period of cold weather to bloom properly. Some need more than others, which is why tulips typically won’t perform well south of zone 7. For these, if you want to grow them in a warmer climate, you’ll need to give them an artificial cooling period. You can do this by placing them in the refrigerator.
Here is a list of some of the spring bulbs that require fall planting for a chilling period:
- Hyacinth
- Tulip
- Daffodil
- Crocus
- Snowdrop
- Allium
- Muscari
- Crown Imperial
Beyond bulbs, fall is also an excellent time to plant hardy spring-flowering perennials. Some of the seeds that produce these plants also need a chill period. Others will spend the fall establishing strong roots. If they form roots in the spring, they will have more energy to grow and bloom in the spring.
Some of the spring-blooming perennials that you can plant in the fall include:
- Coneflower
- Coral Bells
- Dayliliy
- Dianthus
- Phlox
- Salvia
- Yarrow
- Black-eyed Susan
- Russian Sage
- Shasta Daisy
- Hellebore
- Peony
- Iris
In addition to these smaller flowering perennials, there are some beautiful flowering shrubs that you should plant in the fall. Planting them this time of year will help them to develop strong roots without the stress of summer heat. That means more well-established plants that will produce more flowers in the spring.
Here are some shrubs you can plant in the fall:
- Lilac
- Forsythia
- Flowering quince
- Japanese Magnolia
- Witch Hazel
- Spirea
- Weigela
- Azalea
Sowing Seeds
Sowing seeds in the fall is a way to work with nature’s rhythms. It mimics the natural habits of plants, setting up the garden for a lush and early spring display. Most plants release their seeds at the end of summer and early fall.
Many spring flowers benefit from planting as temperatures cool and days shorten. In the fall, the soil is still warm enough for roots to establish, and increased rainfall helps keep the ground moist. Some seeds actually need the winter’s chill to break dormancy. This makes fall the perfect time to scatter them.
The ideal time for fall planting of spring flowers will depend on your climate zone. It’s important to time it correctly, or your seeds may sprout early and die off from frost. If you wait too long, they may not settle in before winter. Ideally, this window runs between September and November. The farther north you are, the earlier you should sow those seeds.
Prep your soil by removing weeds and loosening the soil. If you think you have depleted soil, it’s a good time to work in some compost. This will break down over time, and those nutrients will be ready to feed your seeds in the spring.
Pay attention to the planting instructions for each of your seeds. Seed depth is important for many of them. If your seed packet says to press them lightly into the soil, it means that they need light to germinate. These will be the most difficult, with the poorest germination rate, so overseed.
For these seeds that require light to germinate, the challenge is keeping them in place throughout the fall and winter. In warm climates, you should wait until just before your first frost to sow them. Don’t cover them with mulch, or you’re unlikely to have much success. A thin layer of leaves is ok, and will help keep them in place, but light needs to reach them.
For seeds that don’t need light to germinate, simply plant them at the correct depth. Cover them with a thin layer of mulch or straw to protect them from washing away. It’s also a good idea to mark the places where you’ve sown those seeds, as this will help you identify them in the spring long before they flower.
Planting Bulbs
There are stricter guidelines for planting flower bulbs in the fall, as your objective is more complicated. The idea here is to encourage your bulbs to take root before the ground freezes, and they fall dormant. Not only do they need the cold of winter to bloom well, but forming roots in the fall will mean earlier sprouting and flowers in the spring.
The time for fall planting of spring flowers for bulbs is similar to sowing seeds, but there is a more specific window. You want to plant them at least six weeks before the ground freezes, or they won’t have time to form those roots. In the colder zones, this means that late August and early September are the right time.
Prepare your soil by loosening it up about one foot deep. Amend it with organic compost or manure to add nutrients. Space your bulbs generously, as most of them colonize. This will leave space so that you can wait a year or two before you need to dig them up and divide them.
At the time of planting, add a small amount of organic, low-nitrogen fertilizer or bone meal to each hole. Plant your bulbs at a depth of two to three times their height. After planting, water well and then cover with a layer of mulch to insulate the soil and suppress weeds.
After this deep, initial watering, you will want to water carefully for the remainder of the fall. They don’t have foliage, so they won’t need much. If you’re getting regular rain, you probably don’t need to water at all. In dry climates, water lightly once every week or two. Stop watering when the ground freezes.
Planting Shrubs
When it comes to long-lived flowering shrubs, fall planting for spring flowers is a smart choice. The soil is still warm enough to encourage strong root development, and the cooler air reduces stress. By establishing roots in the fall, your shrubs will enter dormancy with a strong root system. They will be ready to push out vigorous growth and flowers in the spring.
Time your spring flowering shrubs the same way you would with your spring flowering bulbs. They need about six to eight weeks of warm soil to establish roots and get ready for dormancy. The farther north you garden, the earlier you should plant.
Choose the right location for your shrub based on its specific needs. Make sure you have well-draining soil, and amend it with compost or manure if you are planting a heavy feeder. Dig a hole that is as deep and twice as wide as your root ball. This loosens the soil around the root ball for faster rooting.
After planting, water your shrub thoroughly and layer on some mulch. The mulch will insulate the soil and also hold in moisture. Mulch also breaks down over time and enriches the soil further. As your shrub won’t be dormant yet, water it regularly for the first few weeks to encourage root development.
