Deciding on the best bulbs to plant in September is one of the most enjoyable autumn jobs. An afternoon spent pushing bulbs into the soil now means you'll be rewarded early next year when your flowers spring to life in little groups all over the garden.
Planting bulbs is easy to do and an affordable way to enhance your planting, so it's a great task to add to your list of September garden jobs. There are long-term benefits as well. If you choose the right bulb varieties it's a case of planting once then getting years of pleasure from them as your favourite flowers will reappear year after year.
Bulbs can be smoothly integrated into any garden where they will play a key role in the planting, adding much-needed colour and interest after a period of winter dormancy. If you follow our clever expert choices you can even have flowers from as early as January right round to June.
1. Snowdrops
Snowdrops are one of the first flowers to bloom in the new year, sometimes even as early as the beginning of January. They also have to be planted early as the bulbs can dry out, so they are always one of the first bulbs to plant in September if you want to guarantee getting the best results.
"Planting bulbs too late or too early can result in problems like weak growth or rot," says plant expert Chris Bonnett from Gardening Express. "September marks the start of bulb planting season. Aim to plant spring-flowering bulbs such as snowdrops, daffodils and crocus before the end of September."
It's best to plant snowdrops in a shady spot with moist soil such as under a tree. They are also a good choice for early spring garden planter ideas, and pair especially well with hellebores. For max appeal try one of the giant varieties like Snowdrop Elwesii bulbs, available from Amazon, which grow up to 30cm tall, and have a beautiful honey fragrance.
Chris Bonnett, founder of the online garden centre GardeningExpress.co.uk, has over 20 years’ experience in horticulture. His journey in the industry began as a teenager, when he merged his love of the outdoors with the internet to make quality plants accessible across the UK and Europe.
2. Daffodils (Narcissus)
No spring garden is complete without a selection of sunny-coloured daffodils, making it one of the best bulbs to plant in September. A bold splash of yellow is just the thing to wake up the garden in spring. Alternatively if you prefer a more subdued colour choose one of the softer pale yellow, cream or off-white varieties.
“When planting your spring garden, selecting the right bulbs and planting them at the optimum time is crucial for a vibrant display," says Emma Fell, head of horticulture at Hillier Garden Centres. "Daffodils (or Narcissus, as they're also known) are a popular choice for early colour. They should be planted from September to October, and can bloom as early as January, with varieties like ‘Tête-á-Tête’ and ‘Minnow’ among the favourites.”
Daffodils do best in damp soil and most varieties will do well in shady spots too. Choose miniature varieties for window boxes and containers, and plant bigger ones in beds and borders, where they will naturalise.
Emma Fell is a respected expert in the world of plants and plant care. Throughout her career she has been responsible for selecting and sourcing new plants, including ones that feature in Hillier's show gardens at RHS Chelsea and BBC Gardeners' World. Her role as head of horticulture means she ensures Hillier Garden Centres offer customers the highest quality of plants for their gardens as well as exciting new varieties.
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Brilliant for pots and in the garden, Narcissus 'Minnow' is a dwarf variety with flat pale yellow cups and a wondrous scent that's a joy in the spring garden.
These miniature daffodils will brighten even the dullest of spring days. The radiant yellow flowers reach only 15cm (6 inches) in height.
A cream and yellow double petalled variety of Narcissus that's ideal for growing in beds, borders and patio pots, and known for its large, frilly double blooms.
3. Alliums
“Alliums, also known as ornamental onions, are another excellent choice for the spring garden," says Emma Fell. "They should be planted between September and October, and typically flower from May to July. Known for their large, spherical flower heads in shades of purple, mauve and white, varieties like ‘Purple Sensation’ add height and visual interest to borders.”
There are alliums to suit every gardening style and situation, from spectacular giant pompom ones to more delicate smaller types, and they are best woven through sunny borders.
If you specifically want alliums to star in your spring garden choose one of the earliest flowering varieties such as 'Purple Sensation', available from Thompson & Morgan, or 'Arctic Snow', available from Crocus, both of which flower from May-June.
Allium thrive in full sun and well-draining soil. They are one of the best bulbs to plant in September if you want cut flowers in spring, offering plenty of stems to snip for the vase. What's more, they magically return year after year to add a colour pop to the garden when you most need it, making them a great low-maintenance gardening idea.
4. Crocus
Cheap, cheerful and super easy to grow crocuses are one of the best bulbs to plant in September. The goblet-shaped flowers come in a range of colours from golden saffron to deep purple, as well as bicoloured ones etched with stripes. Try purple and white Crocus chrysanthus 'Ladykiller', available from Sarah Raven, if you love the look of the bicoloured ones.
If you like the idea of planting bulbs in your lawn crocus are the go-to choice. If you're going to add this task to your lawn care calendar, find the right spot (a sunny place with well-drained soil) and plant them in groups. Over time they will increase into sizeable clumps. September is the prime time for planting crocus but you can also plant them until late November or even the first week of December as long as the ground isn't frozen.
These early spring flowering bulbs are also great for scattering through flower beds and creating colourful spring containers too, either on their own or together with other spring bulbs. They are also a magnet for early pollinators when there aren't many other flowers around in the garden, making them a valuable addition to your garden landscaping ideas.
5. Hyacinths
If you're looking for scented spring bulbs to plant in September make hyacinths your number one choice. When spring arrives the air will be filled with the sweet scent of these beautiful flowers. Plant hyacinth bulbs in flowerbeds and borders or containers, somewhere you can appreciate their fragrance as you pass by. Use them to edge garden paths or plant up in containers as part of your front porch ideas.
“Hyacinths are much-loved for their dense, fragrant flowers and come in two planting types: prepared and unprepared," says Emma Fell. "If you want hyacinths to bloom indoors for Christmas, plant prepared bulbs by the end of September. For spring blooms in the garden, plant unprepared bulbs between September and October, and enjoy their vibrant colours and scents from March to May.”
These easy-to-grow plants come in a range of colours. They prefer well-drained, moderately fertile soil in full sun. They will also tolerate partial shade for a one-off display but will bloom less well in the following years if left there.
Shop the most fragrant hyacinth bulbs
Hyacinth 'Pink Pearl' is heavenly scented and will create a beautiful display in borders and pots. Plant hyacinth bulbs 10cm (4") deep and 8cm (3") apart.
Whether planted out into borders or pots, or grown as a seasonal indoor plant, the tightly packed columns of 'White Pearl' will put on a luminous display.
With tightly packed columns of highly fragrant flowers in spring, this variety is loved by pollinating insects particularly bees and butterflies.
6. Snake's head fritillaries
Snake’s head fritillaries are spring flowering bulbs with distinctive pendulous flowers that appear in April and May. One of the best bulbs to plant in September if you're looking for a perennial variety that will return year after year, the distinctive flowers of these unusual bulbs are guaranteed to add a unique touch to your garden.
Fritillaries like being planted deep, so aim for around five times their depth, in moist, rich soil. They are another good choice for naturalizing the lawn in spring. Usually found in a purple checked colourway like these stunning Fritillaria meleagris available from Crocus, if you prefer a more neutral look choose white ones like this 'Alba' variety, available from Farmer Gracy.
Alternatively, striking Fritillaria persica is a taller option with spiky, dramatic flower stalks that can grow up to three feet tall and look fabulous planted at the back of a flower border for a strong spring show.
7. Camassia
A little more unusual but nevertheless one of the best bulbs to plant in September. Camassia flower right through May and June, and last much longer than many other spring bulbs. They look good planted in drifts in flower beds where their star-shaped blooms in blue, pink or creamy white add a strong vertical accent.
They are best planted in moist, well-drained soil, and the ideal time to do this is between September and November. They will thrive in tricky spots such as dry or damp shade, but bloom best in full sun. There’s no need to lift them once planted either, and their blooms will return year after year.
Essential bulb planting tools
With a carbon steel head, ash handle and deeply serrated cutting edge this will cut into the soil cleanly and comfortably.
This traditional stainless-steel tool is so easy to use and means you can plant bulbs easily without having to bend over.
These natural bags are great for storing bulbs in. They are sturdy, long-lasting, and can be used for vegetables too.
Whether you want to smarten up your front garden ideas or introduce some much-needed colour to your outdoor space in those early days of spring, these popular bulb choices to plant in September will all do a great job.
And if you're looking for other ways to get on top of your gardening tasks before the colder weather arrives, our list of plants to prune in September will keep you busy.
