With thanks to our resident gardener Stephen Lee
Late summer treasures
As our summer marches in to late summer, we still have plenty of flowering plants to look forward to like Asters, Dahlias, Persicarias, Heleniums and Rudbeckias to mention just a few…
Hidden amongst our flowering perennials are some autumn treasures bursting forth and these after a summer of baking spring into action from as early as mid-August. These being autumn flowering bulbs. Autumn flowering bulbs are in the autumn bulb catalogues. You can buy them as flowering plants in pots however like a lot of things they are best bought as bulbs, this is for a number of reasons, 1, quantity 2, size and 3, choice.
Within the autumn bulb catalogues and in garden centres you can find these treasures and these treasures are; Amaryllis, Allium, Crocus, Colchicum, Cyclamen, Nerine and Sternbergia.
Let’s look at these in a bit more detail; –
Amaryllis Belladonna
This is a wonderful plant growing to around 18’’ in flower. The flowers are large clear pink trumpets with up to 10 trumpets on each stiff red stem that carries them. (a white form is also available) The bulb too is large and sold singly, often quite expensive but well worth it when it flowers. These should be planted in a south facing site where the bulbs will get baked (ripen). The leaves occur after flowering but die away before the flowers.
Allium Carinatum Pulchellum
This bulb grows throughout the year into September where it pushes up foot (12’’) high flowers. The flowers are mauve and look like an exploding firework. The flowers stems and foliage die away after flowering. Sold as multiple bulbs but do bulk up in to large clumps quickly. Most suited to the front of the border.
Crocus Speciosus
This treasure flowering late September in to October. Although white ones can be obtained it’s the stunning violet blue with orange anthers are truly stunning in the autumn sun. The flowers around 4-5’’ best planted around low alpine plants to support the delicate flowers. Well drained soil is a must for this bulb.
Its also worth mentioning saffron (Crocus Sativus). This short large flowered purple Crocus is a beauty. It also has large orange anthers, which can be collected and used as saffron. Traditionally grown in places like Saffron Walden UK (hence the name). They need well drained fertile south facing places to grow. From experience I have noticed that the bulbs are very large when you get them and they do flower beautifully and collect a nice a amount of saffron, but I find the bulbs degrade after flowering. It can take a few years to get them to flower again.
Colchicum
These appear in the garden as very large goblet shaped crocus lookalike flowers in September and October. The bulbs can be quite expensive in some varieties but they certainly make up for that when they flower. These flowers are predominantly pinkish to lilac/purplish. A few are white. The flowers are also mostly single goblets and a few varieties are doubles.
Colchicum Autumnale – purplish pink flowers around 4’’ high and is good as a naturalizing variety
Colchicum The Giant – lilac-purple petals with a white centre. Flowering height 6-8 inches and will increase freely
Colchicum Waterlily – Large rosy-lilac double flowers. The petals open horizontally in the sun. Flowering height 5-6’’
All colchicums flower in the absence of the leaves. Also note that the leaves from these bulbs are much larger than the flowers and can often grow to least a foot tall.
Cyclamen Hederifolium
These absolutely charming woodland bulb with ivy reminiscent shaped leaves in shades of green and silver. Some varieties have completely pewter (silver) leaves. They flower in shades of pink through to white and the flowers grow to 4-5’’. These bulbs can often be flowering from early August right up in to November. These bulbs (corms) can mature to a foot across and have hundreds of flowers. They are good for naturalizing dappled shady areas and will also live in sun as well. Plant these either on the surface, where the soil comes up halfway on the bulb or plant just below the surface of the soil and the plant will find its own level.
Nerine
Nerine Bowdenii beautiful clusters of mostly clear pink wavy/ crinkly trumpet petals at around a foot high. These this time of year are bought as growing and flowering bulbs.
All these bulbs above generally need south facing well drained sites where the bulbs can be baked in order to ripen the bulbs. They also flower in the absence of the leaves. All these autumnal treasures are well worth considering to provide colour and interest in our gardens.
Another consideration; –
Sternbergia Lutea
This beautiful Greek bulb with its stunning golden yellow crocus flowers brightens and front of a border. Flowers with its emerald green leaves that show off the flowers. Flowers 5-6’’ with the leaves. Like a lot of bulbs flowering this time of year need well drained sunny site. Once planted they may not always flower as they can sulk or be temperamental, but leave them to their own devises and in time you will be rewarded with this golden display.
Below is a gallery of pictures relating to October
For more info please visit: