There is a lot to be said for Autumn flowering bulbs. UK weather dictates that the Autumn can be a difficult time of year - the days start to get shorter, it gets colder and we have endless discussions about when to put the heating on. So having some beautiful, vibrant flowers to look out at, can give us a much-needed boost!
We are well aware of the importance of seasonal bulbs, so we have dedicated this blog to looking at the best Autumn flowering bulbs around so you can keep those blooms going right up to the Winter!
Our Top Autumn Flowering Bulbs to Plant in Spring
When you want to plant Autumn bulbs, the best time to do that is likely in the Spring - giving them enough time to establish before bursting forth in September or October. Spring is a great time to get out there and start planting a few bulbs, just as your Spring flowering bulbs are starting to do their thing! So read on for our list of Autumn flowering bulbs, with a Spring planting season.
Autumn Crocus
We're big fans of the Crocus at Gardeners Dream, so it will come as no surprise to see that we have kicked things off with a variety that blooms in the Autumn. The lovely little flowers that Autumn Crocuses produce are a smaller than the Spring varieties, but they are no less charming.
They can thrive in partial shade or a sunny spot, and can be grown in beds or containers. As they are quite small, they are best positioned at the front of beds and borders - they also look great in rock gardens or a cut flower garden. The Autumn Crocus Sativus is a classic, and would be a welcome addition to any garden in the Autumn.
Triteleia Queen Fabiola
Hailing from north-west America, the Triteleia Queen Fabiola, or Starflower, are a great way to add plenty of colour to your garden in Autumn, with very little effort. You get an excellent flower-to-stem ratio, up to 25 flowers on each one! They flower early for Autumn flowering bulbs (they are technically Summer Flowering), in August, but they last a long time - some right up to December. Again, if you're after low-maintenance colour, the Triteleia Queen Fabiola is the plant for you!
They have grassy foliage, which helps them blend in wonderfully to your garden, and helps them stand out as other plants start to die back. These hardy perennials will give you a lot of joy.
Sternbergia
These hardy plants, which are originally from the Mediterranean, will start flowering in October, just when your garden will be crying out for a bit of colour! And that is exactly that the Sternbergia will provide - bright little yellow flowers that seem to dance in the breeze. You can see why they are also known as the Autumn Daffodil (or Winter Daffodil as they can bloom into the winter in milder years).
They'll come back year after year, so with a little effort now, you can be enjoying Sternbergia flowers in your garden for years to come! They are easy to plant and care for - what's not to like?
Nerines
As we get further down this list, you are no doubt starting to see the wonderful array of different colours, shapes and sizes that are available - and Nerine is the perfect example of Autumn flowering bulbs that offer bright colours and interesting shapes that you may not have associated with Autumn gardens.
Vivid flashes of pink, on beautiful flowerheads with long, curled petals - Nerines will look at home in any garden. They can also be grown as house plants, but the hardy types will survive just fine over the winter.
Hesperantha
Getting the perfect Autumn garden is all about balance - you want beautiful green foliage, you want flashes of colour and you want interesting shapes and sizes. Hesperantha plants are perfect to help you build a wonderful tapestry - delicate little white flowers with beautiful long green stems. They can help provide the backdrop for your other, more showy, Autumn flowering bulbs to really shine - ideal for cottage gardens.
They will thrive in a sheltered, sunny position and can cope with dappled shade - just put them in some well drained soil and they'll be fine. The perfect way to adds hints of Autumn colour to your garden.
Alstroemerias
More commonly known as the Lily of the Incas, it won't shock you to learn that the Alstroemerias hails from South America. These are also summer flowering bulbs, in fact they will start to flower in the early summer, but with a little effort you can keep them flowering until late Autumn. They are beautiful flowers, so it is well worth your time!
They are surprisingly hardy, but will work best in a warm, sheltered spot in your garden, and they will keep coming back for years - great for an exotic garden! If you keep removing the spent flower stems throughout the growing season, new shoots will appear in their place. They also make wonderful cut flowers.
Cyclamen Hederifolium
With a delightful flower colour, a beautiful scent and a unique flowerhead shape, the Cyclamen Hederifolium is a must-have for any autumn garden. It brings an elegance that few flowers can match - the incredible green foliage is often overlooked, but it provides a great base for the flowers at a time of year when everything else can look a little bare.
Use these in borders, beds or containers - they are perfect for underplanting around taller features. They like areas that get a mix of sun & shade, but they are hardy and will naturalise over time. Whatever you are planning for your garden Cyclamen Hederifolium is worth your consideration.
Autumn flowering bulbs - Conclusion
Don't fall into the trap of thinking your garden is redundant between September and March - there are plenty of ways that your outside space can provide joy right up to the Winter and beyond. Shop our Autumn flowering bulbs today and start planning your perfect Autumn garden!
