Keep colour in your garden

Karen Murphy chooses some autumn bulbs guaranteed to brighten any garden

Just because summer flowers are fading, it doesn’t mean an end to colour in your garden. There are many beautiful bulbs that shine in autumn, popping up on cool days to brighten and cheer. Most of this selection should be planted by the end of summer, so they have time to get established before they bloom between September and November.

Colchicum aggripinum Free-flowering, pink petals, chequered with white. Prefers full sun in moist, drained soil. Height & spread: 10cm (4in).

Tip: Plant in a rock garden or raised bed.

From: www. pottertons.co.uk Call 01472 851714.

Cyclamen hederifolium Marbled heart-shaped leaves, with small flowers in pink or white. Likes moist, well-drained soil in dappled shade. Height & spread: 12.5x15cm (5x6in).

Tip: Useful for planting beneath trees.

From: www.plants forshade.co.uk

Call 01963 32802

Nerine bowdenii Pink, spidery flowers and strap-shaped green leaves later. Grow in moist, welldrained soil in full sun. Height & spread: 45x15cm (18x6in). Tip: For Mediterraneanstyle or gravel gardens. From: www. burncoose.co.uk Call 01209 860316

Sternbergia lutea

Autumn daffodil with yellow flowers among linear leaves. Welldrained soil in full sun. Leave undisturbed.

Height: 10-15cm (4-6in).

Tip: Plant in drifts near path edges.

From: www.suttons.

co.uk

Call 0844 326 2200

Hesperantha coccinea Stiff upright stems with red, star-like flowers. Prefers any moist, welldrained soil in sun. Height & spread: 60x30cm (24x12in).

Tip: Plant next spring. Makes a good cut flower.

From: www.crocus.co.uk Call 01344 578111

Karen writes for Garden News, which is full of tips, inspiration, plant and product news, and moneysaving offers!

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