A 2019 psychological study found that spending just 20 minutes in nature can significantly lower stress levels.1
What better way to enjoy the outdoors than by planting bulbs in December for a beautiful spring garden?
While fall is the ideal time to plant spring-flowering bulbs, it’s not too late to get some in the ground before the end of the year. Here are 8 bulbs you can plant in September all the way to December.
1. Tulips (Tulipa)
A symbol of love and rebirth, tulips are a quintessential spring flower that come in a dazzling array of colors, from fiery reds to soft pastels. These beauties have the ability to naturalize, spreading and multiplying over time to create a breathtaking display year after year.
Imagine your garden filled with a vibrant sea of tulips, a sight that is sure to take your breath away.
How to plant tulips:
- Select a location that receives full sun and has well-draining soil.
- Dig holes 6 to 8 inches deep and space the bulbs 4 to 6 inches apart, ensuring the pointed end faces upward.
- After planting, give the area a thorough watering and cover with a layer of mulch to protect the bulbs during the colder months.
2. Daffodils (Narcissus)
Daffodils are the ultimate low-maintenance spring bulb, thriving with minimal care and naturalizing effortlessly. Their cheerful blooms in shades of yellow, white, and orange can brighten up any garden for weeks on end.
How to plant daffodils:
- Find a spot in your garden that gets plenty of sunlight and has soil with good drainage.
- Create holes 6 to 8 inches deep, placing the bulbs 4 to 6 inches apart.
- Once the bulbs are in place, water the area well and add a layer of mulch to insulate them during the winter.
3. Hyacinths (Hyacinthus)
The sweet, heady fragrance of hyacinths is one of the most delightful scents of spring.
Hyacinths are not only stunning in the garden, but they can also be forced indoors in late winter, filling your home with their intoxicating aroma and serving as a reminder that spring is just around the corner.
How to plant hyacinths:
- Locate a sunny area in your garden with well-draining soil.
- Plant the bulbs 6 inches deep, allowing 4 to 6 inches of space between each one.
- Provide the newly planted bulbs with a generous watering and protect them with a layer of mulch during the winter months.
4. Crocuses (Crocus)
Crocuses are the first brave souls to emerge from the cold, often poking their colorful heads through the snow in late winter or early spring. These petite flowers come in a charming range of colors, from delicate purples to sunny yellows, and have a knack for naturalizing in lawns and rock gardens.
As if their beauty wasn’t enough, crocuses also serve as a vital food source for early pollinators like bees and butterflies.
How to plant crocuses:
- Choose an area that receives full sun and has well-draining soil.
- Dig small holes 3 to 4 inches deep, placing the bulbs 2 to 3 inches apart.
- After planting, water the area thoroughly and cover with a thin layer of mulch for winter protection.
5. Alliums (Allium)
Alliums, with their striking spherical flower heads, add a unique architectural element to any garden. These ornamental onions bloom in late spring to early summer, offering a range of colors from deep purples to soft pinks and whites.
Not only do they make fantastic cut flowers, but alliums also have the added benefit of repelling pesky deer and rodents, ensuring that your garden remains untouched.
How to plant alliums:
- Select a sunny location with well-draining soil.
- Plant the bulbs at a depth of 4 to 8 inches, depending on the variety, spacing them 6 to 8 inches apart.
- Water the area well after planting and cover with a layer of mulch to protect the bulbs during the winter.
6. Grape Hyacinths (Muscari)
Grape hyacinths may be small in size, but they pack a powerful punch when it comes to their ability to naturalize and spread.
They make perfect companions for other early spring bulbs like daffodils and tulips, and their ability to multiply over time ensures that your garden will become more beautiful with each passing year.
How to plant grape hyacinths:
- Find a sunny spot in your garden with well-draining soil.
- Create holes 3 to 4 inches deep and place the bulbs 2 to 3 inches apart.
- Once planted, give the area a good watering and protect the bulbs with a layer of mulch during the colder months.
7. Snowdrops (Galanthus)
Snowdrops are the ultimate harbingers of spring, often emerging through the snow in late winter with their delicate, white, bell-shaped flowers. These resilient little bulbs have an incredible ability to naturalize and spread, creating a stunning white carpet that grows more expansive each year.
Snowdrops prefer partial shade, making them the perfect choice for planting beneath deciduous trees or in woodland gardens.
How to plant snowdrops:
- Locate a partially shaded area with well-draining soil.
- Plant the bulbs at a depth of 3 to 4 inches, spacing them 2 to 3 inches apart.
- Water the newly planted bulbs well and add a layer of mulch to insulate them during the winter months.
8. Irises (Iris)
With their regal bearing and exquisite color range, irises are a diverse group of spring-flowering bulbs that add a touch of elegance to any garden.
As an added bonus, irises are known to attract a variety of pollinators, including bees and butterflies, ensuring that your garden is not only beautiful but also buzzing with life.
How to plant irises:
- Find a location that receives full sun and has well-draining soil.
- Plant the bulbs 4 to 6 inches deep, depending on the variety, with 6 to 8 inches of space between each bulb.
- Provide the newly planted bulbs with a thorough watering and protect them with a layer of mulch during the winter months.
Planting bulbs in December may seem like a daunting task, but with a little planning and preparation, you can create a stunning spring display that will bring joy to your garden for years to come.
So grab your trowel and get planting!
Source:
1. Harvard Health Publishing
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Nancy has been a plant person from an early age. That interest blossomed into a bachelor’s in biology from Elmira College and a master’s degree in horticulture and communications from the University of Kentucky. Nancy worked in plant taxonomy at the University of Florida and the L. H. Bailey Hortorium at Cornell University, and wrote and edited gardening books at Rodale Press in Emmaus, PA. Her interests are plant identification, gardening, hiking, and reading.