5 Flower Bulbs to Order in August Before They Sell Out

You know what the adage says: the early bird catches the worm. It can apply to gardening, as popular varieties of bulbs can sell out fast – and you don’t want to lose out. If you are seeking the absolute earliest spring color, we look at some of the best flower bulbs to order in August to brighten up your garden early in the year.

A wide range of spring bulbs are commonly available to order come late August, and the most in-demand ones may disappear quickly. Early-flowering bulbs are always very popular as they provide welcome color in late winter and early spring. Crocus, iris, snowdrops, chionodoxa, and eranthis are among the best spring bulbs to sparkle in the early months. If you want your pick of these, it pays to move quickly.

Early shoppers need to be patient, as bulbs purchased in late summer must be stored in a cool, dry place until it is time to plant them, which starts in September. But do get prepared, like arming yourself with a bulb planting tool (I like this Japanese bulb planter at True Leaf Market) to make planting bulbs quicker and easier. Then you can sit back and wait for a dazzling display as early as January next year.

Winter Aconite

Eranthis Hyemalis (Winter Aconite) can be a real treat for the eyes when its buttercup-yellow blooms appear in late winter to early spring. There were small clusters of winter aconite in one historic garden I worked in, and the sight of those pops of cheery yellow was always a welcome treat during a long, cold winter.

The small blooms can be seen as early as January in some areas, providing a spark of bright color when little else is out in a garden. When the winter flowers reach their peak, they can create a stunning carpet of yellow when planted in clusters.

Winter aconites are natural woodland plants and prefer a sunny spot or some dappled shade. They are great for a woodland garden, wildflower meadow, or for planting under shrubs or trees, where they can enjoy some winter sun before the trees leaf out.

You can buy quantities of Eranthis Hyemalis bulbs at Dutch Grown

Crocus ‘Orange Monarch’

Crocuses usually start flowering from February into March. You commonly see crocuses blooming in different shades of yellow, white, and purple. However, Crocus ‘Orange Monarch’ is a rare type with deep orange flowers. Such rarity will make it popular, so act quickly if you want to order bulbs for your garden.

Crocus ‘Orange Monarch’ reaches just 4-6 inches but is guaranteed to make a lasting impression with its orange petals complete with purple-to-brown streaks. It can stand out at the front of a flower bed, as a feature in a container garden, or work as a bulb for naturalizing in a lawn.

The window for planting crocuses runs from September to November. Plant the bulbs around two to three times their depth in a sunny, well-draining planting site. In general, crocus bulbs are usually planted 4-6 inches deep.

You can buy Orange Monarch Crocus Bulbs at Burpee

You can buy Orange Monarch Crocus Bulbs at Dutch Grown

Chionodoxa Luciliae

Chionodoxa, known as Glory of the Snow, flowers in late winter to early spring, potentially as early as late February. Each miniature bulb produces between five and ten star-shaped flowers with lilac-to-violet-blue petals and a white eye, sitting atop deep green, strap-shaped foliage.

Chionodoxa is a low-maintenance, good bulb for shade. The bulbs do like sun but can tolerate shadier spots and being planted underneath deciduous trees and shrubs. The bulbs naturalize and occasionally self-seed, potentially forming stunning carpets of early color over the years.

You don’t want to plant chionodoxa until the soil temperature drops below 60ºF. For the best effect, plant them in large numbers, each around three inches apart, and let the foliage naturally die back at the end of the season.

Chionodoxa Forbesii is the most common variety, but Chionodoxa Luciliae is a beautiful alternative with shorter stems and slightly bigger flowers. You can get Chionodoxa Luciliae bulbs at Dutch Grown.

Iris ‘Katharine Hodgkins’

Dwarf Iris 'Katherine Hodgkin' is blooming in a terracotta pot

When I worked at Hidcote Manor Garden in the Cotswolds, Iris ‘Katharine Hodgkins’ was a star of the show in the winter border early in the year.

This outstanding dwarf iris variety stood out with its intricately detailed blooms. The upright central petals are pale blue with deeper blue veins, and the lower falls have yellow blotches and blue-purple spots. It is a deeply pretty iris that demands attention.

The stunning irises bloom from January to March each year, and gardeners can enjoy them in many different ways, from cottage garden beds to rock gardens to containers. Plant iris bulbs in September or October and they’ll reliably return year after year to brighten up early spring.

You can get Iris ‘Katharine Hodgkins’ bulbs at Dutch Grown

Galanthus ‘Flore Pleno’

Close up of the double clowers of snowdrop Galanthus nivalis Flore Pleno

Many gardeners love growing snowdrops. Indeed, there are some true ‘galanthophiles’ who collect different types and are known to spend thousands on rare varieties. We’re not suggesting you invest large sums of money in unique snowdrops, but you can get something a bit different to the norm without breaking the bank.

Galanthus ‘Flore Pleno’ is a beautiful double snowdrop, with the inner petals having a delicate green tint. It has a longer flowering season than standard snowdrops, which can begin as early as late January.

However, due to the intricate flowers and long season, ‘Flore Peno’ may be in high demand, so order early.

Plant your snowdrop bulbs in fall in groups of at least 10. They should ideally be planted around four inches deep and at least four inches apart in flower beds or containers.

Get Galanthus ‘Flore Pleno’ bulbs at Burpee

Get Galanthus ‘Flore Pleno’ bulbs at Dutch Grown

You may need to wait to plant spring bulbs, but if you aspire to add to your garden this month, then you can scratch that itch. Our guide to what to plant in August highlights late-flowering perennials and grasses you can add in late summer to give structure and interest come fall.

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