With cooler weather, fall is the time of year for planting spring blooming bulbs to add spring color to your garden. For best results, plant spring-flowering bulbs in clusters or groups to achieve the greatest visual impact in the garden. When planting daffodils and tulips, plant 10 or more bulbs of the same variety in an area. Smaller growing plants, such as grape hyacinths and crocuses, should be planted in clusters of 50 or more bulbs.

The planting site should be in a location that receives at least six hours of direct sun per day for most bulbs. However, Siberian squill, snowdrops and snowflakes prefer sites in partial to heavy shade.

Tulips, daffodils, hyacinth and most other spring-flowering bulbs require well-drained soils. Bulb rot may be a problem in a poorly drained soil. In poorly drained sites, planting in raised beds may be an option.

Plant tulips, daffodils and hyacinths 6 to 8 inches deep. Smaller bulbs, such as crocuses and grape hyacinths, should be planted 3 to 4 inches deep. As you place soil over the bulbs, carefully tamp down the soil with your hands and then water well.

Daffodils make long-lived perennial spring flowers massed in borders or as naturalized plantings in the landscape. Most modern tulip cultivars bloom well for only three or four years. However, there are some species tulips are generally longer lived and bloom well over a longer time period.

A less common spring-flowering bulb to plant in the fall is fritillary. Their flowers are bell-shaped, either in clusters or single, and are available in a range of colors. Plants range from six inches to three feet or more. Being less common, you may need to order these bulbs, either online or from mail-order bulb catalogs.

Did you know? Rabbits and deer are quite fond of tulips and crocuses. However, rabbits and deer seldom bother daffodils, hyacinths, grape hyacinths, Siberian squill and ornamental onions (alliums).

Horticulture Questions? Contact McCormick at yvonne@iastate.edu for information or advice.