6 Autumn-flowering favourites

As gardeners, we all love summer, but it cannot last for ever. When it comes to beating the autumn blues, plants are one of the best antidotes, and bulbs are a real shot in the arm. Corms, bulbs and tubers that bloom as temperatures fall in september can go in the ground now and ensure a brightening display into November. I would not be without the autumn daffodil (Sternbergia lutea) – those sunshine-bright yellow flowers will multiply in the right conditions. It favours very well-drained, light soil, in a sundrenched, sheltered spot.

The warming pink tones of Nerine bowdenii and colchicums are also vital for lifting spirits as we enter the colder months. Nerines such as ‘Zeal Giant’ produce exotic blooms in the perfect shade of shocking pink, either in the border or containers. They can take a year to settle but will then delight for years if left undisturbed. Colchicums such as ‘Waterlily’ can, likewise, be enjoyed in pots or in the ground, in well-drained, sun-baked soil. Arguably the most impressive autumn-flowering bulb is Amaryllis belladonna; but its tender nature means many gardeners cannot grow it. Luckily, an amaryllis has now been crossed with a nerine to create the amarine (x Amarine tubergenii Belladiva series), which is hardy down to -10ºC and produces fabulous trumpet flowers in shades of white, blush and magenta. Originally bred for the cut-flower market, these beauties are best homed in a welldrained, sunny bed; the base of a southfacing wall is ideal, and you can boost flowering by planting them in clumps.

Good old dahlias are some of the most floriferous plants during autumn – grown amongst grasses and autumnflowering perennials, they will create drama in the border. If you fancy something a bit different, opt for single daisy-like cultivars (such as ‘Bishop of Canterbury’ and ‘Classic Rosamunde’), which lure bees and butterflies. Or succumb to the pillow-like charms of ‘Café au Lait’ and ‘Penhill Dark Monarch’, which are great for cutting. Plant a generous spread of tubers, corms and bulbs now and you won’t just be looking ahead to autumn – you’ll actually be looking forward to it.

Cyclamen hederifolium AGM

The pink flowers of the sowbread are produced in early autumn and are followed by silvergreen leaves that persist all winter. Grow in light, humus-rich soil and mulch regularly with leaf mould. H: 4in (10cm).

Nerine bowdenii AGM

Thanks to its spidery pink blooms, the Bowden lily injects glamour and colour from September to November. Plant in full sun, in well-drained soil. Performs well in containers, too. H: 11⁄2ft (45cm).

Colchicum speciosum AGM

Resembling huge pink crocuses, plant C. speciosum in generous clumps and they will light up the autumn garden. The impressive flowers are followed by large leaves. Sun or semi-shade. H: 8in (20cm)

Hesperantha coccinea ‘major’ AGM (syn. Schizostylis)

Crimson flag lily’s cherry red blooms appear throughout autumn. It needs damp roots in summer, so dig in organic matter to retain water, or plant streamside. H: 2ft (60cm).

sources: Amateur gardening, June 2018