Plant These in Autumn for Spring Blooms

Nature Hills Nursery | February 14, 2026

Unfortunately, fall is the forgotten season when it comes to planting. Big box stores usually don’t even stock plant materials in the fall except for mums or pumpkins. Garden Centers don’t want to overwinter plants, so they typically want to dump whatever is left over and picked over all season long. These retail stores want to get rid of anything and everything. Note, these may not necessarily be plants that would transplant well in the fall.

Shhh…. Is Fall Planting the Best Kept Secret?

We’ll spill the beans. Did you know that many plants do extremely well when planted in the fall of the year? In fact, fall is the best time of year for planting.

One of the best benefits of fall planting comes from warm soils and cool air. This combination encourages newly planted plants to make lots of new roots now. When your plant develops new roots before winter comes, it’s taken a huge step to successfully establish itself in your landscape.

Plants can concentrate on establishing some new roots, rather than produce blooms or fruit. Any plant installed in the fall will take off in the spring as though it had spent an entire year in the ground, not just planted in the fall.

Starting a new backyard orchard or adding on to an edible landscape? Planting fruit trees in fall will give you a jump on spring flowers and you may even see some fruit next year, too. Fall planting is a “life hack” to boost production!

Nature Hills is Ready for Fall Planting Season

Here at Nature Hills, we have beefed up our plant production specifically timed for our fall sales. Fresh new crops of plants are ready to ship.

Pro tip? It’s actually easier to plant in fall. Many times, you can benefit from plentiful rainfall and cooler temperatures. Plants are starting to shut down into their winter dormancy, so they will use less water now, too. That’s a win-win for you and your plants.

Amazing Plants for Spring Blooms

Flowering Cherry, Weeping Cherry, Flowering Pear, and all of our selections of Redbud will establish beautifully in the fall. They will concentrate on making new roots now. In spring, they’ll be able to produce all of those beautiful flowers with a nice strong root system.

Magnolias and Flowering Dogwood trees have incredible flowers and fleshy roots. They will work to make a lot of nice, new roots this fall too.

Early spring blooming Serviceberry are slow to establish, but you can get a jump on new roots now. They’ll be so glad they had a nice cool moist season to establish. They will be much happier next spring.

There are many spring flowering shrubs too that will greatly appreciate a fall transplant as well. Don’t do any pruning on these spring flowering shrubs when you plant them this fall, because the flower buds are already growing along their stems.

Check out some of the best spring flowering shrubs well suited for fall planting:

Fall is the Perfect Time to Divide and Transplant Plants

Large clumps of perennials such as Hosta can be easily divided to give you more plants. Fall is the right time of year for this task. If you want to relocate plants to a more suitable location, now is the time. Peonies love to be moved in the fall and so do Iris and Astilbe too.

Maybe you are looking to add some new perennials to your border this fall? Our #1 containers can successfully be planted in fall. Bareroot shrubs and trees do beautifully. Follow our instructions on how to plant bare root carefully.

Mulch Tips and Tricks

Don’t forget to add mulch over the top of the roots of any landscape plants, perennial borders, shrub borders, and trees to protect them from extreme temperatures and moisture loss. Just remember, don’t pile the mulch up against the trunks of trees or up against the stems of shrub and perennials.

Falling leaves do not have to a pain in your back. Hang that rake up and use your mower to shred them. On your lawn, simply mow them over and continue to mow right up until the last of the leaves have fallen. Some like to shred them and add them to compost piles or use as mulch. At the Biltmore Estate they shred and save the leaves and use them as mulch around the many annuals they plant in the spring to maintain good moisture and control weeds.

Take advantage of this beautiful time of the year! Plant in fall to help your plants grow new roots to get a big jump on spring!

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Frequently Asked Questions

When is it too late in autumn to plant spring-blooming bulbs?

The general rule is to plant spring-blooming bulbs at least six weeks before the ground freezes hard, which typically means getting them in by late October in Zones 4-5 and mid-November in Zones 6-7. Bulbs need that window of cool soil to develop roots before winter sets in. As long as the ground is workable and not frozen solid, it is worth planting even late in the season. Check your average first hard freeze date for your zone and count back six weeks to find your ideal planting deadline.

Which spring-blooming bulbs grow best when planted in fall?

While the article focuses on trees and shrubs rather than bulbs, classic spring-blooming bulbs like tulips, daffodils, hyacinths, and crocuses all require a fall planting to perform their best. These bulbs need a cold stratification period of 12 to 16 weeks to trigger proper spring flowering, so planting them in September through November, before the ground freezes, is essential. In warmer climates in zones 8 and above, tulips and hyacinths often need to be pre-chilled in the refrigerator for 6 to 8 weeks before planting. Head to naturehills.com to explore our full selection of spring-blooming bulbs and get them in the ground this fall for a stunning display next season.

Should I plant spring bulbs before or after the first frost?

Spring bulbs like tulips, daffodils, and hyacinths should be planted in fall after the first frost but before the ground freezes solid. In most zones, this means planting from September through November, with bulbs going about 2 to 3 times as deep as their diameter. The cool soil temperatures after frost help trigger the chilling period bulbs need to bloom properly in spring. Plant your bulbs promptly once temperatures consistently stay below 40 to 50 degrees Fahrenheit, and mulch lightly over the bed to protect them through winter.

How many weeks before the ground freezes should I get bulbs in the ground?

Bulbs should be planted 6 to 8 weeks before the ground freezes, giving them enough time to develop roots before winter sets in. For most gardeners in zones 4 through 7, this typically means planting in September through October, while zone 8 and 9 gardeners can often wait until November or even December. Check your average first hard frost date and count backward 6 to 8 weeks to find your ideal planting window, then get your order in early to ensure the best selection.

Which end of a bulb goes up when planting, and how can I tell?

Generally, the pointed end of a bulb faces up and the flat or slightly concave basal plate faces down, as this is where the roots will emerge. For tulips, daffodils, and most common bulbs, the pointed tip is easy to identify. If you are unsure, plant the bulb on its side at the correct depth, typically two to three times the bulb's diameter, and it will naturally orient itself as it grows. When in doubt, err on the side of planting and let the bulb do the work.

What type of soil do spring bulbs need to thrive and avoid rotting?

Spring bulbs require well-drained soil above all else, as sitting in wet or waterlogged conditions is the primary cause of bulb rot. A sandy loam or amended garden bed with good drainage is ideal, and bulbs should be planted at a depth roughly two to three times their diameter. If your soil is heavy clay, work in compost or coarse sand to improve drainage before planting. Choose a site that does not collect standing water and plant in fall before the ground freezes to give bulbs the cold stratification period they need for strong spring blooms.

Do spring bulbs perform better in full sun or partial shade?

Most spring bulbs, including tulips, daffodils, and hyacinths, perform best in full sun, meaning at least six hours of direct sunlight per day. That said, many bulbs can tolerate partial shade, particularly early bloomers like snowdrops and Siberian squill that flower before deciduous trees leaf out. Plant your bulbs in the sunniest available spot in fall, typically between September and November depending on your zone, at a depth of two to three times the bulb's diameter for best results.

Should I add bulb fertilizer or bone meal when planting bulbs in fall?

When planting bulbs in fall, adding a slow-release bulb fertilizer or bone meal directly in the planting hole gives roots the phosphorus they need to establish before the ground freezes. Work about 1 tablespoon of bone meal into the bottom of each hole before setting the bulb, which encourages strong root development through autumn without pushing tender top growth that could be damaged by frost. Follow up with a balanced granular fertilizer in early spring just as shoots emerge to fuel that burst of bloom energy. Choose a fertilizer with a higher middle and last number, such as 5-10-10, to prioritize root and flower development over leafy growth.

Can I plant spring bulbs in containers or raised beds if I have limited garden space?

Yes, spring bulbs like tulips, daffodils, and crocuses thrive in containers and raised beds, making them an excellent option for gardeners with limited space. Plant bulbs in fall before the ground freezes, typically September through November depending on your zone, at a depth of two to three times the bulb's diameter. In containers, choose pots at least 12 inches deep to allow proper root development and ensure drainage holes are present to prevent rot. Layer different bulb varieties for a staggered bloom sequence, store containers in an unheated garage or shed in colder zones to protect roots, and water lightly before the ground freezes to get them started.

How far apart should I space spring bulbs for the best visual impact in borders and beds?

For most spring bulbs, planting in clusters or drifts of 10 to 15 bulbs spaced 3 to 6 inches apart creates the bold, naturalistic sweeps that make the biggest visual impact in borders and beds. Larger bulbs like tulips and daffodils do best at 4 to 6 inches apart, while smaller bulbs like crocus and grape hyacinth can be tucked in as close as 2 to 3 inches for a dense carpet effect. Plant bulbs in odd-numbered groupings and layer different varieties at varying depths to extend your bloom season from early to late spring.