Crocus (Crocus spp.)

While spring-blooming crocuses get a majority of the attention, several species of crocus will bloom in the fall. These plants will often produce flowers before or as leaves emerge, and the leaves will persist after the plants are done blooming. 

The most commonly grown species is probably Crocus speciosus, which is also called Autumn crocus, but you may also see it referred to as showy crocus. They are one of the earliest fall-blooming crocuses and emerge in early fall. The plants will send up 6-7-inch-tall flower stalks with typical goblet-shaped crocus flowers that are violet-blue to mauve. 

Saffron crocus (Crocus sativus), while not the most widely grown fall-blooming crocus, is probably the most known. This is the plant that the spice saffron comes from. The plants grow 4-6 inches tall and have lilac-purple flowers that open a few weeks after C. speciosus. Each flower produces three reddish-orange stigmas and styles, which are harvested and dried to create saffron. It takes about 250,000 stigmas and styles from 75,000 flowers to produce 1 pound of saffron, all of which is handpicked. Now you know why saffron is so expensive.  

There are several other species of fall-blooming crocus, including C. goulimyi, C. kotschyanus, C. medius, C. pulchellus, and C. ochroleucus.

Most fall-blooming crocuses are hardy to zone 3. One exception is the saffron crocus, which is hardy to zone 6. Crocuses do best in sunny, well-drained locations. Despite being referred to as bulbs, these plants also grow from corms. 

Hardy cyclamen (Cyclamen hederifolium)

When it comes to cyclamens, we’re probably most familiar with those sold as houseplants during the winter (Cyclamen persicum). Alas, these cyclamen are tender plants and aren’t hardy here in Illinois. However, there are some hardy cyclamen, one of them being C. hederifolium.

Hardy cyclamen grows to 4-6 inches tall. The plants will produce pink to white flowers that are 1-2 inches long with swept-back petals from September to October. While the flowers are the main attraction, the foliage is also attractive. The leaves are heart-shaped (similar to ivy) with dark green centers bordered with lighter green and silver patterns. Plants will produce foliage after their flowers, and the foliage will persist through the winter before going dormant in spring. 

Hardy cyclamen can be grown in zones 5-9. They grow best in moist, well-drained soils that are high in organic matter. They prefer partial shade, particularly during the afternoon. Hardy cyclamens can be long-lived and will spread but can take some time to get large. While young plants may only produce a few flowers, older established plants can be very prolific bloomers.

Autumn daffodil (Sternbergia lutea)

If pink and purple aren’t for you, then check out autumn daffodil (Sternbergia lutea). These plants produce bright yellow crocus-like flowers from September to October. Flowers can reach 1.5 inches in width, and flower stalks are typically around 6 inches tall. The foliage of these plants is narrow and lance-shaped and can reach 12 inches in length. The foliage can persist through the winter, especially in warmer locations, eventually dying back until the fall. The long-lasting foliage can provide some nice green color in an otherwise dreary winter landscape.  

Bulbs should be planted 5 to 6 inches deep in well-drained soil in full to part shade. Because they like well-drained soils, they are often grown in rock gardens or raised beds (particularly in areas with heavy clay soils). While they are commonly listed as hardy to zone 6, you may need some extra precautions to get them to overwinter, such as placing them near a building with southern exposure or a protected location and mulching.