Order autumn flower bulbs in August

Why August? Order now, plant later

August may seem early to think about autumn flowers. You are still planting summer flowers, it is warm, and you do not want to think about fall. But precisely now, in August, is the time to order autumn flower bulbs. Why?

Simple: good varieties sell out quickly. The most popular cultivars - for example "Rembrandt" tulips, early "French Viridiflora" tulips, or special daffodils like "Tete-a-Tete" - are already halfway through stock by late August. In September it often happens: you want a particular color or type, and your garden center or online shop says: "Sorry, sold out."

Also, in August you get the finest bulbs. They are just harvested, still fresh, still vital. Bulbs ordered in September are often already a month old and have less energy to grow well.

Finally: you have time. August is not yet panic. You can carefully choose, compare, and then calmly wait until October-November planting time.

Which bulbs to order in August?

These are your highlights for autumn blooms (October to May):

Tulips (Large assortment, all colors)

• "Bartigon" (purple, very late)
• "Angelique" (pink, double)
• "Queen of Night" (deep purple, almost black)
• "Pink Impression" (large, pink)

Daffodils (Long blooming, October-April)

• "Tete-a-Tete" (yellow, compact, early)
• "Paperwhite" (white, giant fragrance, prefers warmth)
• "Thalia" (white, elegant, multiple per bulb)
• "Barrii hybrid" (yellow-orange corona)

Crocuses (Very first in spring, moderately long)

• "Ruby Giant" (deep purple)
• "Yellow Swan" (bright yellow)
• "Pickwick" (white-purple striped)

Hyacinths (Short but intensely fragrant, February-March)

• "Woodstock" (deep purple)
• "Pink Pearl" (pink, compact)
• "Blue Jacket" (blue)

Small specialties:

• Muscari (grape hyacinth, blue, very reliable)
• Puschkinia (ice-blue little bells)
• Chionodoxa (glory of the snow, blue, very early)

How many bulbs to buy?

This depends on your garden plan. Rough guide:

• Small border (1-2 meters): 25-35 bulbs mix (3-5 per group)
• Medium bed (3-5 meters): 75-100 bulbs (groupings per color)
• Large area or multiple beds: 150-250+ bulbs

A "bulb plan" you best make like this: determine your color scheme (1-3 colors), divide space per color, and then calculate number of bulbs per group. For example: two meter border, three colors (white, purple, yellow). That is 60 cm per color. Per color: 3 groups of 5 bulbs. Total: 45 bulbs.

Order online or buy in shop?

Order online (August-September):

• Advantage: large choice, finest bulbs (early) delivered
• Disadvantage: shipping costs, no self-selection

Shop (August-October):

• Advantage: self-selection, immediate purchase
• Disadvantage: sometimes limited choice, costs sometimes as high as online

Tip: always inspect bulbs in hand. They must feel firm, no soft spots, no moldy mark. Fragrance is a bonus (hyacinths, daffodils have nice fragrance).

Storage August-October

Bulbs arriving in August must be stored longer (until October). Ensure they stay cool and dry. A dark shed, garage, or basement is perfect. Not in plastic - that causes mold. Paper bag or cardboard box is good. Temperature below 20 degrees is ideal.

Check every two weeks for mold or rot spots. Ventilate your storage now and then.

Step-by-step

Step 1: Plan your bloom scheme

Determine which colors and where. Sketch it briefly on paper: large, small, warm, cool. It need not be perfect, but it helps decision-making.

Step 2: Choose varieties

Base it on your preference: early/late, large/small, fragrant, double/simple. Choose at least 2-3 varieties for variation.

Step 3: Calculate quantity

Group of 3-5 per type, per location. Small border: 25-50 bulbs. Large: 150+.

Step 4: Order or buy

August online, or September in shop. Ensure good bulbs (firm, no damage).

Step 5: Storage

Paper bag or box, dark, cool, dry until October.

Frequently asked questions

Can I order bulbs in May and plant them in August?

No, bulbs must undergo cold (vernalisation). Summer is death sentence for bulbs. They rot quickly, get mold, and lose their energy. Bulbs belong in the ground October-November, not in summer.

What if I am too late and it is already December?

Then plant them immediately. As long as soil is free of frost, you can still plant most bulbs. They will bloom slightly later, but it will work.

Can I reuse bulbs from last year?

Yes, if you stored them properly. After blooming, let flowers die, water until foliage browns, dig up, let dry (2 weeks), store cool and dry. Next fall you plant again. They are slightly smaller, but many still work.

Are expensive cultivars better than cheap?

Not necessarily. A "cheap" red tulip blooms as beautifully as an "expensive" red. Expensive bulbs are usually unique colors or double forms. For basic blooms: save, buy cheaper.

How deep should I plant?

Rule of thumb: two to three times the bulb diameter. Small bulb (1 cm): 3-4 cm deep. Large bulb (3 cm): 8-9 cm deep. This prevents damage and aids stability.

Frequently asked questions

Which bulbs are birdproof?

Not all. Crocuses and hyacinths are generally safe. Tulips and daffodils sometimes get pecked. Tip: plant them among shrubs or under mulch - birds do not see them immediately.

Can I mix different bulbs?

Yes, please. A mix of tulips, daffodils, and crocuses gives long bloom (October to May) and nice color play.

Do bulbs need fertilizer?

Yes, bulb fertilizer in October when planting helps. Good garden soil is already a lot. Artificial fertilizer works, organic bulb food too.

Frequently asked questions

Are organic bulbs better?

Organic bulbs are often from growers, meaning they grow without pesticides. Organic is nice, but expensive normal bulbs also bloom beautifully.

Can I keep bulbs outside in pots?

Yes, absolutely. Pot must be deep enough (at least 15 cm), drainage hole at bottom. Plant in October, place outside, and let freeze as it will. Spring blooms beautifully. Advantage: you move pots to beautiful spots.

Are pre-forced bulbs (forcing bulbs) the same?

No. Forcing bulbs are pre-treated to bloom early (December-January). They go in the pot, indoors, and bloom in winter. Normal bulbs outside bloom in spring. Do not mix.

Discover your own garden design

At [gardenworld.app](https://gardenworld.app) you can upload your front yard and see where flower bulbs fit best - considering shade, growing zones, and existing plantings. Plan your autumn bloom visually before you order.