Bulbs, Corms, and Rhizomes to Plant in Fall

It’s almost that time of year again: Fall Planting Season! When the weather cools off, the days become shorter, Pumpkin Spice is everywhere (OK that may not be the greatest thing), and it will be time to get your fall bulbs and rhizomes planted in the ground. Planting these plants in the fall allows their root systems to acclimate over the winter and be ready to grow once the right conditions appear in spring.

Bulbs, corms and rhizomes are all root structures that are specialized to store energy. Bulbs have layers called scales that form them, like an onion. Corms are a modified stem and is solid while rhizomes are underground stems that tend to grow horizontally and sprout new stems.

Bulbs

Tulips

Bright, cup-shaped flowers in a wide range of colors; blooms in mid to late spring. I’ve noticed that our tulips tend to be shorter lived than other bulb flowers.

• Height: 10-24 inches
• Hardiness Zone: 3-8
• Best Growing Conditions: Full sun; well-drained soil
• Fertilization: Apply a balanced fertilizer (10-10-10) when planting and again in early spring.
• Deer Tolerance: Low; tulips are a favorite of deer.

Daffodils (Narcissus)

Cheerful yellow or white flowers with a trumpet-shaped center; blooms in early to mid-spring.

• Height: 6-30 inches
• Hardiness Zone: 3-9
• Best Growing Conditions: Full sun to partial shade; well-drained soil
• Fertilization: Apply a low-nitrogen fertilizer (5-10-10) in early spring.
• Deer Tolerance: High; daffodils are deer-resistant.

Hyacinths

Hyacinths are very fragrant, dense flower spikes in various colors; blooms in mid-spring. They can repeat blooming for years in the right growing conditions. They will gradually form offsets and can be divided.

• Height: 6-12 inches
• Hardiness Zone: 3-9
• Best Growing Conditions: Full sun to partial shade; well-drained soil
• Fertilization: Apply a balanced fertilizer when planting and again as the plants emerge in spring.
• Deer Tolerance: Moderate; somewhat resistant due to strong fragrance.

Alliums

Alliums have a variety of flower clusters to enjoy. Some are globe-like clusters of star-shaped flowers, often purple or white; while others are more sparse and spread out. Alliums tend to bloom in late spring to early summer.

• Height: 12-48 inches
• Hardiness Zone: 4-9
• Best Growing Conditions: Full sun; well-drained soil
• Fertilization: Use a balanced fertilizer when planting and in early spring.
• Deer Tolerance: High; generally deer-resistant due to onion-like scent.

Snowdrops (Galanthus)

Delicate, nodding white flowers that bloom very early in spring.

• Height: 4-6 inches
• Hardiness Zone: 3-7
• Best Growing Conditions: Partial shade; well-drained, humus-rich soil
• Fertilization: Apply a balanced fertilizer in fall and early spring.
• Deer Tolerance: High; not attractive to deer.

Fritillaria

Unique, bell-shaped flowers, often with a checkerboard pattern; blooms in mid to late spring.

• Height: 6-36 inches
• Hardiness Zone: 3-9
• Best Growing Conditions: Full sun to partial shade; well-drained, rich soil
• Fertilization: Fertilize with a balanced fertilizer at planting and in early spring.
• Deer Tolerance: High; deer-resistant due to strong scent and bitter taste.

Anemones

Vibrant, poppy-like flowers in colors like red, pink, blue, and white; blooms in early to mid-spring.

• Height: 6-12 inches
• Hardiness Zone: 4-8
• Best Growing Conditions: Full sun to partial shade; well-drained soil
• Fertilization: Apply a balanced fertilizer in early spring.
• Deer Tolerance: Moderate; less favored by deer.

Muscari (Grape Hyacinth)

Clusters of small, bell-shaped blue or purple flowers resembling grapes; blooms in mid-spring. Their foliage resembles small blades of grass in clusters.

• Height: 6-12 inches
• Hardiness Zone: 4-8
• Best Growing Conditions: Full sun to partial shade; well-drained soil
• Fertilization: Apply a balanced fertilizer when planting and in early spring.
• Deer Tolerance: High; deer-resistant due to strong scent.

Corms

Crocus

One of the earliest spring bloomers, featuring cup-shaped flowers in purple, yellow, and white. Crocus are short but have vibrant colors. There is even a fall blooming type of crocus that saffron is harvested from: Crocus sativus. Saffron is one of the world’s most expensive spices.

• Height: 3-6 inches
• Hardiness Zone: 3-8
• Best Growing Conditions: Full sun to partial shade; well-drained soil
• Fertilization: Light application of balanced fertilizer in early spring.
• Deer Tolerance: Moderate; less attractive to deer.

Colchicum (Autumn Crocus)

Blooms in fall with large, crocus-like flowers in pink, purple, and white. Flowers appear without foliage, with leaves emerging in spring.

• Height: 6-10 inches
• Hardiness Zone: 4-9
• Best Growing Conditions: Full sun to partial shade; well-drained soil
• Fertilization: Fertilize with a balanced fertilizer in early spring.
• Deer Tolerance: High; generally deer-resistant.

Cyclamen hederifolium (Hardy Cyclamen)

Blooms in fall with small, nodding flowers in pink, red, or white. Heart-shaped leaves emerge after flowering and last through winter.

• Height: 4-6 inches
• Hardiness Zone: 5-9
• Best Growing Conditions: Partial to full shade; moist, well-drained soil
• Fertilization: Apply a balanced fertilizer in spring.
• Deer Tolerance: High; not typically favored by deer.

Rhizomes

Bearded Iris

Large, ruffled flowers in various colors; blooms in late spring to early summer with sword-like foliage. Some irises are extremely fragrant, like the purple irises in the middle picture. They smell like grape cool aid! The one on the left is a personal favorite called “Solar Fire” and I think you can see why.

• Height: 12-40 inches
• Hardiness Zone: 3-9
• Best Growing Conditions: Full sun; well-drained soil
• Fertilization: Apply a low-nitrogen fertilizer (5-10-10) in early spring.
• Deer Tolerance: Moderate; somewhat resistant to deer.

Solomon’s Seal (Polygonatum)

Features arching stems with pairs of small, white, bell-shaped flowers in late spring, followed by blue-black berries. Bumblebees seem to enjoy the white flowers when in bloom. Solomon’s Seal likes to spread some by its rhizomes but I’ve never seen it get out of hand in the garden.

• Height: 12-24 inches
• Hardiness Zone: 3-9
• Best Growing Conditions: Partial to full shade; moist, well-drained soil
• Fertilization: Fertilize in spring with compost or a balanced fertilizer.
• Deer Tolerance: High; not favored by deer.

Peonies

Large, fragrant blooms in late spring to early summer, ranging in colors from white to deep red.

• Height: 24-36 inches
• Hardiness Zone: 3-8
• Best Growing Conditions: Full sun; well-drained, fertile soil
• Fertilization: Apply compost or a balanced fertilizer in early spring and again after blooming.
• Deer Tolerance: Moderate; not typically deer favorites.

Bleeding Heart (Dicentra)

Known for its heart-shaped pink or white flowers that dangle from arching stems; blooms in late spring.

• Height: 12-36 inches
• Hardiness Zone: 3-9
• Best Growing Conditions: Partial to full shade; moist, well-drained soil
• Fertilization: Fertilize in spring with compost or a balanced fertilizer.
• Deer Tolerance: High; generally deer-resistant.

Siberian Iris

Slender, grass-like foliage with elegant flowers in shades of blue, purple, white, or yellow; blooms in late spring to early summer.

• Height: 18-36 inches
• Hardiness Zone: 3-9
• Best Growing Conditions: Full sun to partial shade; moist, well-drained soil
• Fertilization: Apply a balanced fertilizer in early spring and after flowering.
• Deer Tolerance: High; generally deer-resistant due to tough foliage.