Amateur Gardening – 13 July 2019

28 AMATEUR GARDENING 13 JULY 2019

T

HE garden in autumn has much
more to offer than a few short-
lived golden leaves and some
bunches of red or orange
berries. Autumn-flowering bulbs in a vast
array of colours, shapes and sizes are
long overdue for their moment in the
spotlight and, conveniently, now is
a good time to plant many of them.
There are a surprising number of
bulbs that flower during autumn. Some

look best in borders, others in grass,

while several lend themselves better to

containers. There are some for sunny

spots, and ones that prefer a little shade.

In fact, the options are so diverse that

there’s no excuse for not having at least

one variety in even the smallest garden.

The returns are relatively speedy with

autumn-flowering bulbs. Planted from

late spring until late July (when the

weather is warm), they’ll settle in quickly.

“But,” I hear you cry, “my borders are

packed with summer plants. I can’t

get in them to plant a load of bulbs!”

Luckily, many of these plants are low-

growing, so they can be squeezed

into any gap at the front of the border.

Also, some types are perfectly

happy naturalised in grass (colchicums

and crocuses, for example). Similarly,

Cyclamen hederifolium will be at home

under a tree where most other garden

plants would struggle.

Good for containers

Alternatively, you can grow some bulbs

in a pot, and either keep it on a patio or

drop it into the border next to, say, a

spring or early summer-flowering shrub

that’s lost its mojo. Be inventive and

you’ll surprise yourself at all the places

you could grow autumn bulbs.

In addition to the purples of

colchicums, crocuses and cyclamen,

From big and bold nerines to delicate autumn

snowdrops, autumn-flowering bulbs offer

plenty of variety in colour, shape and height,

while some even have fragrant blooms

For the ultimate garden pick-me-up, slot a selection of bulbs and corms into borders and

containers now for colour and interest as summer winds down, says Graham Clarke

The best bulbs for

Autumn flowers

Many autumn-flowering bulbs are available from garden centres and specialist

nurseries during summer, for planting out straight away. However, some types

may only be available from specialists operating at certain times of year. Try:

Avon Bulbs 8 avonbulbs.co.uk & 01460 242177

Bloms Bulbs 8 blomsbulbs.com & 01234 709099

Kevock Garden Plants 8 kevockgarden.co.uk & 0131 454 0660

Suttons 8 suttons.co.uk & 0844 326 2200 (calls can cost 7p per minute)

Where to buy