9 Essential Bulbs to Plant in September for Spectacular Spring Blooms
Tired of disappointing spring gardens with sparse blooms and lackluster color? You’re not alone—and the secret isn’t better spring care, it’s what you do this September. While most gardeners rush to plant in October and wonder why their bulbs underperform, smart gardeners know that September planting delivers stronger root development and dramatically more vibrant spring displays. Here are the 9 bulbs you need to plant now for a spring garden that will make your neighbors stop and stare.
Most people miss September and this is the most optimum time to plant spring bulbs. The soil temperature is approximately 60°F and it is not too hot or too cold, allowing roots to develop and yet sufficiently cool to undergo the chilling process necessary to produce great spring flowers on bulbs. The planting now will install a garden that will be a stunner in the spring.
The September Advantage: Timing is Everything
September planting is not just a process of beating the fall rush—it is also a process of providing the bulbs with a real boost enabling them to develop strong roots which will remain healthy during winter and therefore provide them with energy to grow tremendously during spring. The warm soil of September allows roots to grow rapidly and the process of warming followed by a gradual cooling provides the chilling period of 12-16 weeks necessary for spring blooms. This combination allows the bulbs to store much energy and develop quality flower buds that appear in spring.
In western Pennsylvania, the best time to plant bulbs is September to October, before the first frost of the season. Bulbs will have time to develop a solid root system before the ground freezes.
Preparation of Soil: The Keystone To Success
Prepare your soil before you plant, and 80 percent of your spring will be determined. Check the pH of your soil first—most bulbs prefer a slightly acidic to neutral soil (6.0-7.0). When the soil is excessively alkaline, then add peat moss or elemental sulfur in order to reduce the pH. If it’s too acidic, add lime.
Bulbs prefer a soil pH between 6 and 7. Introducing organic matter, such as compost, helps stimulate and support root development.
Add compost, old manure, or leaf mold into the upper 12-14 inches of the soil. This provides good drainage (it is essential as wet soil leads to bulb rot) and provides nutrients which the bulbs require. In case of heavy clay soils, raised beds should be prepared or coarse sand and organic matter should be added to enhance drainage.
The 9 September Bulbs You Must Have in Spring
Daffodils (Narcissus): The Foolproof Spring Champion
Daffodils cannot be considered any spring garden without them, and their planting in September provides them with a head start that yields spectacular effects. They are deer resistant and they go back to the same place every year.
Best Varieties for September:
- ‘Dutch Master’: classic yellow trumpet, 18-20 inches tall, in mid season
- ‘Ice Follies’: White large petals with yellow cup which turns cream, 16-18 inches high
- ‘Tete-A-Tete’: Small mini, fits in containers, 6-8 inches high
- ‘Carlton’: Early blooming, real naturalizer, soft yellow, 14-16 inches tall
Planting Specifications:
- Depth: 6-8 inches (3 times of bulb height)
- Spacing: 4-6 inches apart
- USDA Zones: 4-8 (pre-chill 9-10: 12-15 weeks)
- Soil pH: 6.0-7.0
- Sun: Full sun to light shade
Natural looking drifts: Plant 5-7 bulbs in clumps. They flower very early and mid-spring and provide 4-6 weeks of color.
Grape Hyacinth (Muscari): The Wonder Naturalizers
These little flowers produce much blue and purple and white carpets, which remain many years. Planting in the month of September allows them to sprout fast and cover a lot of area.
Standout Varieties:
- ‘Blue Spike’: Bi-flowered, high scent, 6-8 inches
- ‘Album’: pure white, very contrasting, 4-6 inches
- ‘Pink Surprise’: Pale pink, 6-8 inches tall
- ‘Big Smile’: Bunches of deep blue, 8-10 inches
Planting Specifications:
- Depth: 3-4 inches
- Spacing: 2-3 inches apart
- USDA Zones: 4-8
- Soil pH: 6.0-7.5
- Sun: Full sun to partial shade
Grow grape hyacinth in well-drained soil in sun to shade. Place in full sun for maximum vigor. However, the flowers last longer in partial shade.
Hyacinths propagate quickly and hence plant where you would like them to grow. They suit well in lawns and in trees that are deciduous.
Crocus: The First Harbinger of Spring
Crocuses are small yet usually they emerge out of snow making the initial splash of color. They flower 2-3 weeks earlier than Dutch daffodils to the spring appearance.
Early-Blooming Species:
- Crocus tommasinianus: Silvery-lavender, is naturalized in lawns, in the first years
- Crocus chrysanthus: Golden yellow, very early
- Crocus sieberi: Lilac-blue, with orange stamen, flowering in February
Dutch Hybrids—Later Colour:
- ‘Flower Record’: deep purple and white throat
- ‘Golden Yellow’: The golden yellow flowers
- ‘Jeanne d’Arc’: Pure white with orange stamens
Planting Specifications:
- Depth: 3-4 inches
- Spacing: 2-3 inches apart
- USDA Zones: 3-8
- Soil pH: 6.0-7.0
- Sun: Full sun to light shade
Come up with natural drifts created by scattering bulbs. They return annually and increase gradually.
Darwin Hybrid Tulips: The Long-lasting Performers
Tulips do not live long, which is several years, though Darwin hybrids are strong and remain in many seasons. Putting them in September provides them with a good commencement.
Darwin hybrid tulips are tough as nails. They’re ideal landscape tulips, producing long-lasting flowers at peak tulip-flowering season that are able to put up with wind, rain, ice and snow.
Exceptional Varieties:
- ‘Apeldoorn’: cherry-red, 24 inches, in late April
- ‘Golden Apeldoorn’: bright yellow, cutting, 22 inches high
- ‘Pink Impression’: light pink, light green, 24 inches high
- ‘White Triumph’: White, 20 inches high
Planting Specifications:
- Depth: 8-10 inches (Darwin hybrids benefit from deeper planting: 10-12 inches)
- Spacing: 6 inches apart
- USDA Zones: 3-7
- Soil pH: 6.0-7.0
- Sun: Full sun
The striking mass displays should be carried out with planting in groups of 10-15 bulbs. They can be able to re-bloom in 3-5 years, provided the circumstances are favorable.
Alliums: The Architectural Statement
Alliums are decorative onions that are run through spring until summer making impressive forms. They are also immune to deer and pollinating.
Spectacular Varieties:
- ‘Purple Sensation’: 4 inch purple balls, 24-30 inches high
- ‘Globemaster’: 36 inch high 10 inch purple heads, huge
- ‘Mount Everest’: Globes made of pure white, height 32 inches
- ‘Drumstick’: Head, egg-shaped, of burgundy, 24 inches high
Planting Specifications:
- Depth: 6-8 inches
- Spacing: 8-12 inches apart
- USDA Zones: 4-9
- Soil pH: 6.0-7.0
- Sun: Full sun
Alliums grow at the end of spring and the beginning of summer extending the bulb season.
Hyacinths: The Sweet Delight
One hyacinth has the power to fragrance a whole garden making them ideal in close walkways or sitting places.
Classic Varieties:
- ‘Blue Jacket’: Blue, rich, very perfumed
- ‘Carnegie’: Pure white, traditional preference
- ‘Fondant’: Soft pink, romantic
- ‘Jan Bos’: Deep red, dramatic
Planting Specifications:
- Depth: 6-8 inches
- Spacing: 4-6 inches apart
- USDA Zones: 4-8
- Soil pH: 6.0-7.0
- Sun: Full sun to light shade
Collect 5-7 bulbs in order to have the best scent. Hyacinths will also be beautiful in a winter that is indoor.
Fritillaria: The Exotic Showstoppers
Fritillarias bring exotic appearance with checkered or bell-shaped flowers that add unique character to spring gardens.
Captivating Varieties:
- Fritillaria meleagris: “Snake head” spotted purple, 10-12 inches in height
- Fritillaria imperialis: 48 inches tall, 36 to 48 inches, large, orange or yellow
- Fritillaria persica: Plum-colored bells, 24-36 inches high
Planting Specifications:
- Depth: 4-6 inches (go deeper when it is hot outside)
- Spacing: 6-8 inches apart
- USDA Zones: 4-8
- Soil pH: 6.0-7.5
- Sun: Full sun to light shade
Plant where men may see the great flower. The big ones form very broad points of focus.
Snowdrops (Galanthus): The Winter Defiers
Even when there is snow on the ground, snowdrops bloom giving hope in the winter. September planting assists in getting roots to develop in early spring.
Reliable Varieties:
- Galanthus nivalis: Traditional single snowdrop, 4 inches high
- ‘Flore Pleno’: 5 in. high, double-flowered
- ‘Sam Arnott’: Honey odoured large flowers
- Galanthus elwesii: Giant snowdrop, 8 inches high
Planting Specifications:
- Depth: 3-4 inches
- Spacing: 2-3 inches apart
- USDA Zones: 3-7
- Soil pH: 6.0-7.0
- Sun: partial sun or light shade
Grow snowdrops in a location that has full sun during the spring when the foliage is apparent. They prefer rich, well-drained soil.
Plant under trees that grow in the early spring when the bulbs will receive an amount of sun before the leaves emerge. They develop gradually into colonies.
Winter Aconite (Eranthis): The Golden Carpet
These kinsfolk of buttercups wear yellow carpets bright and usually blooming with the snowdrop, and contributing to the color of early spring.
Best Species:
- Eranthis hyemalis: Yellow, bright, 3 inches high
- Eranthis cilicica: Later, larger
Planting Specifications:
- Depth: 2-3 inches
- Spacing: 3-4 inches apart
- USDA Zones: 4-7
- Soil pH: 6.0-7.0
- Sun: Partial sun to light
They propagate in the woods by nature and thrive in large colonies under the giant trees.
The One Bulb to Wait On: Tulips (With the Exception of Darwin Hybrids)
Majority believe that tulips need to be planted in September, however, majority of the varieties perform better when planted in the later months, between October to early November. Premature planting might result in premature development which results in one disease known as tulip fire (Botrytis tulipae) and decreased winter resistance.
Darwin hybrids can only perform well in September since they develop rapidly and are more resistant against diseases. Other varieties, such as species tulips and most spring tulips, must wait until soil remains approximately 55°F to plant.
Success with Container Planting: “Planting on Steroids”
It is not only beds that can be planted in September, containers allow you to create great displays and be longer.
Container Choice: Pots must be 12 inches deep with good drainage holes. Terracotta is preferable in that it allows soil to dry and breathe.
Layered Planting Technique: Plant later-blooming bulbs deeper and earlier ones nearer to the surface in what is known as bulb lasagna. This makes good use of space and disperses blooming with time.
Overwintering Containers: In cold areas (zones 3-5) pot containers wrapped or put in a warm garage to preserve them. Water sufficiently during winter to prevent drying them up.
September Common Planting Problems Troubleshooting
Bulb Rot: Occurs when the soil is either excessively moist or when the bulbs are placed too deeply. Ensure that it is well drained and that it is planted at the appropriate depth.
Squirrel and Rodent Damage: Hardware cloths or repellents can be used to cover new bulbs. Sow daffodils in the area—those flowers are poisonous and they drive away pests.
Poor Bloom Performance: Generally refers to a lack of enough chill or you have purchased the wrong bulbs. Select disease free, firm bulbs and plant at the appropriate depth.
Post-planting Care: Preparing to be a Success in Spring
Water bulbs and soil settles around bulbs after planting. Add 2-3 inches of mulch to ensure that the soil is warm and does not heave when it is frozen and thaws.
Monitor the soil moisture every month in winter. Light watering should be done in case the surface 2 inches of soil are dry and that the top layer of the soil is not frozen. It is also necessary when your region receives minimal rainfall during winter.
Bloom Succession Planning: Planning Your Spring Show
Select the bulbs and arrange them so that they are colored throughout the year. In winter use snowdrops and winter aconite, in mid-season crocus and early daffodils, grape hyacinth and Darwin tulips. Alliums herald the onset of summer.
The earliest bulbs should be planted in the most visible in places where they will be seen when winter is thawing. Set later flower in other places where spring is abundant.
Your September Action Plan: Start Planning to Planting
Planning is the beginning of success. Sketch in garden locations and record sun, soil and existing. Place orders early in order to have the best selections—most varieties in demand are sold out at the end of September.
After two weeks, before the planting, soil amend. Plant on cool and cloudy days and water. Take a photo journal to make yourself see how things grow and plan the next year.
This September is paying you in months of spring color, a better house value and the satisfaction of knowing that you have created something that will continue to come around each and every year. Your future will be grateful as new green shoots emerge through winter snow accumulating on the ground promising you a spectacular spring show that you have always desired.
Sources: Penn State Extension University of Minnesota Extension Clemson HGIC University of Wisconsin Extension Laidback Gardener Garden Design
