Five Unusual Bulbs to Order Now and Plant in Fall

These lesser-known perennials will add to your spring and summer displays, but buy them before they sell out

buy incandescent lamp was one of those autumn rite that I looked forward to . It was something to do just as the tank , crisp days arrived in mid - September or October . It was a ritualistic , nostalgic yearly event that move hand - in - hand with orchard apple tree picking andpumpkincarving .

But then my mailbox started getting stuff with bound bulb catalogue in April and May , just when the last thing I wanted to opine about purchasing was adaffodilor atulip , as my garden was already in peak efflorescence . It just experience like abrasive merchandising on behalf of the bulb industry , and I could n’t grease one’s palms into it . But then things changed .

Why to order bulbs early

Maybe you , too , have had this experience : It ’s late August or other September — still technically summertime — and you ’re thinking that you should be get a jump on thing . So you decide to order some fall bulbs . You find the gross tulip and press the thumbnail , only to discover that the one you need is already sold out . This can be fantastically frustrating . And if the incandescent lamp you desire is rare , it ’s even more likely to sell out quickly .

Ordering bulbs early has become the average for many gardener - in - the - know . While some of us may still wait until the commercial descent arrive at the local garden meat ( always a risky selection if you ’re looking for something in fussy ) , experienced nurseryman know that there are other reasons why one may wish to order lightbulb too soon — for example , timing . Some light bulb just hate spending any fourth dimension out of the ground . In special , winter aconites ( Eranthisspp . and cvs . , zone 3–7 ) truly dislike their tubers dry out out .

( Tip : verify to buy from companies that dip their wintertime aconite tubers in wax to keep them hydrated . )

wood anemone ( Galanthusspp . and cvs . , Zones 3–8 ) also prefer to be embed ASAP — immediately upon arrival — as do most fritillary ( Fritillariaspp . and cvs . , Zones 3–8 ) .

5 lesser-known bulbs to consider

There are many bulbs that should be planted in spill but are n’t traditionally think about when it comes time to rate spring - blossom bulbs . Here are five that you should not overlook and that will transmute your garden next year .

Siberian fritillary

Fritillaria pallidiflora , geographical zone 3–8

You may be conversant with this fritillary ’s congeneric , the much more common snake ’s capitulum checkered lily ( Fritillaria meleagris , Zones 3–8 ) , but this charming cousin is gorgeous and easy to develop . It ’s just not all that well-fixed to find at garden heart and soul . Thankfully , many mail - club sources for Dutch bulbs carry it , but it must be ordered early . It sells out quickly .

A much glossy selection than snake ’s fountainhead fritillary , Siberian checkered lily boasts large , pallid ivory to yellow Melville Bell - shaped flowers that stand up out in the garden compared to most other fritillaries , which run to blend in with their muddy tones . Plant these bulbs in clumps , ideally in a woodland setting or a partially shaded surface area where you hump you wo n’t risk stir up their quiescency in summertime . The skilful news is that this is one checkered lily that return for a better show in come years .

‘Pagoda’ trout lily

Erythronium‘Pagoda ’ , Zones 4–9

This show - stopper is often dominate by gardener , as it seems too good to be true . Still , of all the species of trout lily ( Erythroniumspp . and cvs . , Zones 3–9 ) that are difficult to grow , this hybrid pick is indeed a winner and virtually foolproof . It ’s also very long - lived . This plant life is deserving investing in by buying incandescent lamp in large number , but even a 12 will impress . Best of all , ‘ Pagoda ’ is low-cost . Plant in either woodland condition under deciduous trees or in a partial shade area where you may enjoy its midspring blooms up close . The broad foliage that emerges with the golden lilylike bloom is attractive in and of itself and often mottled with brown or maroon marking . Just know that the plants ( including leaf ) will wholly vanish and go dormant by June , so plan on that . seek planting them around a late - emerginghosta(Hostaspp . and cvs . , Zones 3–9 ) or among shrubs that riff out later , likehydrangeas(Hydrangeaspp . and cvs . , Zones 3–8 ) .

Hoop petticoat daffodil

Narcissusbulbocodium , Zones 4–9

The tiny hoop narcissus , or hoop petticoat daffodil , is always welcomed in arock gardenor near a walkway . Low growing , it ’s a true miniature , but it always backpack a punch of vividness very early in the year . The flower are n’t as midget as you might imagine , and their bright yellow coronas stand out on overcast saltation daylight . The best part is that this gem typically blossom before the more common larger daffodils , thus broaden the Narcissus pseudonarcissus season by kicking it off in early fountain precisely when we demand bright , sunny color the most .

Lilies

Liliumspp . and cvs . , Zones 3–10

While many of us seldom see lily as fall bulbs , autumn is the ideal time to plant them . Lily nurseries dig their bulb up for shipment in late October . Experienced gardener know that regularize them in summer is the best time to get the most desirable varieties , but also that lilies favour to be fall planted versus natural spring engraft . Order early to get first dibs on the newest strains or the best colors . As always with lilies , order a dozen or more to bring forth a stunning pot planting . They are much more low-priced now than ever before , and a film of their display next July will bring down the internet .

Lilies must be ordered early if you want a rarified or specific variety from a strength lily nursery . However , lilies that are sell in general catalogue or from other sources that deal multiple plants will probably be more available .

Fumewort

Corydalissolida , Zones 3–9

Fumewortis perhaps the most overlooked of all spring - bloom electric-light bulb , but only because it blur people unfamiliar with its acquire habit . While it ’s true that most corydalis are herbaceous perennials , this one is indeed a bulb and one of the upright spring - flower bulbs out there , even though few of us seem to know of it . The matter about fumeroot is that it puts on a marvelous show that gets better with each passing year , producing more flowers until the clod of medulla needs to be divided .

Plant the medulla oblongata along with other other bloomer , like snowdrops , give ephemerals , or hellebore ( Helleborusspp . and cvs . , Zones 4–9 ) . Planting them like this will cue you where they are in midsummer , as fumewort plants will evaporate by June and you do n’t want to dig them up accidentally .

For more info on spring - blooming bulbs , check outFall Bulb Planting : Everything You Need to Know for a Spectacular Spring Show . And for more northeastern regional report , click here .

— Matt Mattus is the writer of two al-Qur’an : control the Art of Flower GardeningandMastering the Art of Vegetable Gardening . Hegardens in Worcester , Massachusetts .

Photos : Matt Mattus

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yellow spring bulb

‘Pagoda’ trout lily creates a carpet of tiny yellow flowers in early spring.

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