Plant These Flower Bulbs in Fall for a Stunning Spring Garden

Tulips bloom in early, mid or late season in a profusion of shapes and colors. Their striking flowers make them a must-have in the spring garden. Most types of tulips do not perennialize or bloom well in subsequent seasons, so treat them as annuals and plant new bulbs every fall. Tulips need full sun.

USDA Hardiness Zones: 3 to 9

Learn more: How to Grow Tulips

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These cheery lemony yellow or white flowers are a sure sign that spring has arrived!

Depending on the variety, they bloom early, mid or late season from February to May. They come in sizes ranging from a few inches tall to a foot or more with many variations including scented types. Daffodils need full sun.

USDA Hardiness Zones: 3 to 7

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These plants, also called spring snowflake, bloom profusely, lending a wispy, baby’s breath-type effect to other nearby plantings. They tend to naturalize well and are pest-resistant, tolerating a wide range of soil types and exposures. They like full sun to part shade.

USDA Hardiness Zones: 4 to 9

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Hyacinths have an incredible fragrance with blooms that last for weeks. Rodents and deer don’t bother them.

They come in every shade of pink, purple, white, and yellow and are a must-have for their reliable performance year after year. Hyacinths need full sun.

USDA Hardiness Zones: 4 to 8

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These ornamental onions have beautiful rounded blooms that stand out on tall stems.

Some types bloom later in the summer, so read the plant tag or description to be sure about what you’re buying. Bunnies and deer usually ignore alliums, but pollinators love them. Alliums need full sun.

USDA Hardiness Zones: 4 to 9

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These bright yellow low-growing flowers with frilly foliage are some of the very earliest to bloom in spring.

They often appear when snow still covers the ground. They’re beautiful when planted in masses and do well under deciduous trees. Early pollinators love them, while bunnies and deer leave them alone. Winter aconite needs full sun.

USDA Hardiness Zones: 3 to 8

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These tiny pink, white, or blue flowers appear when snow still may be on the ground, which gives them their charming common name.

They’re deer resistant and need full sun.

USDA Hardiness Zones: 3 to 8

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The tiny star-shaped flowers of this plant are spicy-scented favorites of bees.

The foliage is grassy and somewhat garlicky when crushed, so deer and rodents tend to steer clear of it. Plant in masses, and give star flowers full sun.

USDA Hardiness Zones: 5 to 9

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Also called dog’s tooth violet, these pretty flowers are native to the Pacific coast.

Plant immediately upon receiving because they don’t do well out of the soil. They need full shade.

USDA Hardiness Zones: 4 to 9

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Masses of star-like flowers, also called windflowers, appear in mid-spring in shades of blue, white or pink.

Anemones naturalize well under taller bulbs or in rock gardens. They’re deer and rodent resistant. They prefer full sun to part shade.

USDA Hardiness Zones: 5 to 9

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These fun and funky spring bloomers are charming in any garden.

The unusual flowers in solid or checkered colors nod at the end of long stems. Deer and rodents tend to leave them alone.

Fritillaria take full sun to part shade.

USDA Hardiness Zones: 4 to 8

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These are some of the first flowers to appear in spring, even when snow is still on the ground in northern climates. Unfortunately, chipmunks and other digging rodents enjoy these bulbs.

Look for Crocus tommasinianus, a crocus species that is less popular with squirrels. All types of crocuses look best when planted in masses. They need full sun.

USDA Hardiness Zones: 3 to 8

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These beautiful bell-shaped flowers make an impact when planted in large swaths, especially in a semi-woodland setting such as under large deciduous trees.

They’re usually not munched on by deer or rabbits. They need part sun.

USDA Hardiness Zones: 3 to 8

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Tiny flowers appear in early to mid-spring in shades of purple, pink and white. They naturalize readily, so they’re a good choice for planting in a spot where you want them to spread. Deer and rabbits tend to ignore them. They need full sun but will tolerate part shade.

USDA Hardiness Zones: 4 to 8

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There are many different types of irises, but these tiny gems appear in very early to mid-spring, along with their pretty, grassy foliage. Plant them in masses along borders. They need full sun.

USDA Hardiness Zones: 5 to 9

Learn more: How to Care for Irises

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