11 Fall Bulbs We’re Ordering in July

Planting in the garden slows down in fall, and in its place, the cleanup begins. Prepping things for the cold takes up plenty of time, but planting doesn’t have to cease altogether. Many of our favorite spring blooms are best planted in the fall!

If you want to get those bulbs in the ground in the fall, consider ordering them in July. July is a hot month, and it’s a nice time to plan for the fall. This gives us a break from the heat without forgetting about gardening altogether. 

Daffodil ‘Pink Champagne’

	botanical name Narcissus ‘Pink Champagne’
	sun requirements Full sun to partial shade
	height 16″-18″
	hardiness zones 3-9

Is there anything more cheerful than a bed full of daffodils in spring? July is a good time to order bulbs, and fall is the time for planting these beautiful rays of sunshine! Daffodils are easy to grow, and though they get earmarked for zones 3-8, I have no issue growing them in zone 9. 

If you’re in zone 9, dig them up and store them in the refrigerator over the winter. This helps for a more reliable bloom. ‘Pink Champagne’ isn’t your average daffodil; this variety is surprisingly complex. The outer petals are pure white, and the double-petaled interior is a mass of peach and white ruffles. It’s breathtaking. 

Tulip ‘Copper Image’

	botanical name Tulipa ‘Copper Image’
	sun requirements Full sun
	height 14″-16″
	hardiness zones 3-8

Since we’re talking about double-flowered varieties, I would be remiss not to mention ‘Copper Image.’ This double tulip is gorgeous with lush, peony-style blooms in shades of copper, bronze, apricot, and blush. The color often deepens as the flower ages. These fall-planted bulbs are perfect to order in July.

Tulips need a significant amount of cold temperatures to flower properly. Sadly, in zones eight and higher, you won’t be able to leave these in the ground for the winter. Refrigerate them and plant in late winter in warmer climates for annual blooms.

Hyacinth ‘Apricot Passion’

	botanical name Hyacinth ‘Apricot Passion’
	sun requirements Full sun to partial shade
	height 8″-12″
	hardiness zones 4-8

Hyacinths have the quintessential smell of spring for me; they are a necessity in the garden. Order these fall-planted bulbs in July and ensure they are in the ground ahead of time. Their perfume permeates the garden and fills any room. They are wonderful for the cutting garden. 

‘Apricot Passion’ is a popular and unique variety with a soft, apricot hue. The small, waxy flowers have subtle coral tones that add depth and interest. Avoid planting your bulbs in spots with poor drainage. Bulbs are more susceptible to rot than other types of roots. 

Allium ‘Graceful Beauty’

	botanical name Allium ‘Graceful Beauty’
	sun requirements Full sun
	height 12″-18″
	hardiness zones 4-8

Alliums are part of the same family as onions and garlic. These both flower, but some more flamboyantly than others. They often produce large, spherical globes of small purple or pink flowers. They look delicate, but they are really quite resilient and tough. 

‘Graceful Beauty’ is a unique variety characterized by delicate, star-shaped flowers on globular flower heads. They have lavender-pink stamens that create a surprising element up close. Order these fall-planted bulbs in July and plant them at the same time you plant your garlic seeds.

Crocus ‘Orange Monarch’

	botanical name Crocus ‘Orange Monarch’
	sun requirements Full sun to partial shade
	height 3″-6″
	hardiness zones 3-8

Crocuses are often among the earliest flowers to pop up in late winter. They sometimes push right up through the snow! The small, colorful flowers are a great, early source of food for pollinators. These will colonize easily and spread throughout the area where you plant them after a few years. 

I planted ‘Orange Monarch’ last fall, despite living in zone 9. Though they did bloom, they were not quite as showy as they ordinarily would be. These are similar to tulips in that they require a significant period of cold.

Fritillaria ‘Rubra Maxima’

	botanical name Fritillaria ‘Rubra Maxima’
	sun requirements Full sun
	height 3′-4′
	hardiness zones 5-9

Order fritillaria bulbs in July for fall planting in zones 5-9. The nice thing about them is that they don’t require quite as much cold weather to bloom. And they are beautiful, tall, elegant bloomers. Plant them in well-drained, fertile soil.

‘Rubra Maxima’ is a stunning variety featuring bold, reddish-orange, bell-shaped flowers. The blooms hang downward beneath a crownlike tuft of leafy bracts. These tower over many spring flowers and mix well with tall alliums.

Siberian Squill

	botanical name Scilla siberica
	sun requirements Full sun to partial shade
	height 3″-6″
	hardiness zones 3-8

The next fall-planted bulb you should order in July is Siberian squill, or scilla. This small, dainty early spring bloomer is great at naturalizing, and can be invasive in the Midwest. It creates a stunning carpet of soft blue flowers over time, but make sure you’re not in its invasive range before planting.

Siberian squill is an early bloomer that tolerates partial shade and is deer- and rabbit-resistant. It adds a woodland vibe to the garden, reaching about eight inches tall with clusters of usually blue, but sometimes white or pink, blossoms. 

Elwes Snowdrop

	botanical name Galanthus elwesii
	sun requirements Full sun to partial shade
	height 6″-12″
	hardiness zones 3-8

The Elwes snowdrop is also called the giant snowdrop. It’s one of the earliest bloomers, often popping its nodding white heads up from the snow. These delicate beauties are harbingers in spring, and you should plant them in the fall. 

If you want to have your bulbs in time, July is a good time to order them for the best selection. You’ll also get the freshest bulbs; in fall, they tend to be of lower quality. Snowdrops are charming little plants that will colonize over time. 

Bearded Iris ‘Big As The Moon’

	botanical name Iris germanica ‘Big as The Moon’
	sun requirements Full sun
	height 36″-40″
	hardiness zones 3-9

Bearded irises are tall, stately, and dramatic. Their tall, sturdy stems and flamboyant flowers cast a shadow in the late spring garden. ‘Big As The Moon’ does it all with an effervescent flair. The large, soft, lemon-yellow blooms are easy to love. 

Bearded irises bloom a bit later than their cousins, flag irises. They are larger and more colorful as well. Many are bi-colored, and some are even tri-colored. Avoid planting these in soggy areas. These should be planted in the ground in late summer to early fall, so order those bulbs in July, as it’s almost time!

Winter Aconite

	botanical name Eranthis hyemalis
	sun requirements Full sun to partial shade
	height 3″-6″
	hardiness zones 3-7

For early-season color and pollinator support in the spring garden, plant winter aconite in the fall. Order these bulbs in the fall and get them started early. They bloom while the weather is still quite cold. 

Winter aconite is low-growing with plenty of cheerful yellow flowers. It colonizes easily, forming a mat over time. Plant these under deciduous trees, where they will receive ample light early in the season. As the trees’ leaves come back out, it will shade some and make them last longer. 

Glory-of-the-Snow ‘Blue Giant’

	botanical name Chionodoxa forbesii ‘Blue Giant’
	sun requirements Full sun to partial shade
	height 4″-10″
	hardiness zones 3-9

Finally, order some glory of the snow in July to have these pretty, blue, star-like flowers in your spring garden. You might be able to tell by the name that these actually bloom in late winter. They often pop up through the melting snow. They add cool tones among the crocus, snowdrops, and winter aconite. 

‘Blue Giant’ is a larger cultivar featuring clusters of blue, star-shaped flowers with white centers. Like others, plant this one beneath deciduous trees. While the trees are bare, they will get plenty of light, and gradually less as temperatures warm. This is where they bloom best and for the longest time.