As summer fades, extravagant autumn flowers emerge to light up your garden…
If the summer heat is making you long for the cool colours of autumn, then plan and plant now. Bulbs don’t just bounce with joy in spring – there are autumn flowering bulbs that if planted now, will turn your faded summer garden into a blaze of colour.
Plant, sit back and wait for the show to start!
The power of bulbs
Many autumn flowering bulbs produce their blooms well before the foliage, Since foliage is essential for photosynthesizing and providing energy to the plant, it seems off that some plants can produce such beautiful, energy-sapping flowers without it.
Except, bulbs are a store of abundant energy – enough to push up flowers – and the late show of foliage simply replenishes this energy.
Autumn flowering plants to add to your garden
Saffron crocus (Crocus sativus)
Along with purple-veined lilac petals, the flowers are known for orange-red stigmas that produce saffron, a spice that has been highly prized for thousands of years.
Planting: Late summer. Plant bulbs 12cm deep in heavy soils, about 15cm in sandy soils, 15cm apart, pointy end up.
Soil: Well-draining clay or sandy.
Aspect: Sunny.
Climate: Cool, temperate and arid.
Water: During summer, but limit watering as soon as leaves appear.
Food: When in leaf, feed with a liquid food high in potassium.
Size: 15-30H x 10-20cmW.
Bulb care: Bulbs naturalise in garden and need little maintenance.
To harvest saffron threads (stigmas), use tweezers to remove them when the flowers open. Allow threads to dry in a shaded, well-ventilated area for 4-5 days, then store in an airtight container.
Autumn crocus (Colchium autumnale)
Not a real crocus at all, but part of the lily family. Flowers range in colour from the palest of pink and purple to yellow or pure white.
Planting: Mid- to late- summer, 15-20cm apart at a depth of 10cm with the pointed end facing up.
Soil: Fertile, well-drained soil.
Aspect: Full sun to part shade.
Climate: Cool to subtropical. Frost- and drought-tolerant.
Water: Keep soil moist during growing period.
Food: Complete fertiliser in spring. Size 20-30H x 20cmW.
Bulb care: Don’t need to be lifted and can be left undisturbed in the ground for up to five years.
Belladonna lily (Amaryllis belladonna)
Beautiful pink and white trumpet-shaped flowers appear in late summer- autumn on leafless stems – hence it’s often called ‘naked lady’.
Planting: Summer, 20-40cm apart with the tip of the bulb above soil level.
Soil: Well-drained.
Aspect: Full sun.
Climate: Cool, temperate, subtropical. Drought- and frost-tolerant.
Water: Regular watering during flowering. Don’t water once leaves have died down.
Food: Complete plant food after flowering as leaves appear.
Size: 60H x 20-40cmW.
Bulb care: Leave undisturbed for several years.
Paintbrush lily (Haemanthus sp.)
Deep red or pure white shaving-brush flowers emerge from a ring of upright, petal-like valves, and sparkle as the sun starts to set lower. They don’t like wet feet, so plant them in a container or raised garden bed.
Planting: Summer, with bulbs 30-60cm apart with neck above the soil.
Soil: Well-drained, fertile soil.
Aspect: Full sun or part shade.
Climate: Cold and warm temperate, arid, subtropical. Frost-tolerant when established.
Water: Every couple of weeks when leaves appear but stop when they die off.
Food: Diluted liquid fertiliser once a month during growing season.
Size: 40H x 60cmW.
Bulb care: Lift the bulbs before frosts arrive, pot them up and store in a frost-free spot.
Nerine (Nerine spp.)
The curled ribbon-like petals in white, candy pink, red, orange or yellow open their hearts when in flower to win over yours. Cut nerine flowers have a long vase life – up to two weeks!
Planting: Spring, once frosts have finished, or summer. Plant 10cm apart with neck above the soil.
Soil: Well-drained.
Aspect: Sunny.
Climate: Cool to temperate.
Water: Water well during growing season but allow to dry out during dormancy.
Food: Feed occasionally with liquid fertiliser.
Size: 40-60H x 15cmW.
Bulb care: Only lift and divide if bulbs are overcrowded and stop producing flowers.
Better tip: Nerines are often grown at the back of a garden bed, but also look stunning standing tall in a rockery.
Spider lily (Lycoris sp.)
Narrow, ruffled, curling petals in brilliant summer shades of red, pink, white and yellow are set off by the elegantly curved filaments. So dramatic! Ideal for borders, rockeries or shrubberies, or let it stand out in a container.
Planting: Summer, 15cm apart with neck just above the soil.
Soil: Organically rich, well-drained soil that dries out in summer. Can grow in pots in wet summer areas.
Aspect: Full sun to light shade.
Climate: Cool to subtropical.
Water: Only to supplement natural rainfall. They thrive in dry spring and summer conditions.
Food: In spring feed with blood and bone and bulb fertiliser.
Size: 60H x 30cmW.
Bulb care: Best left in the ground to naturalise and produce more flowers. Lift and separate after 7 years.
Autumn daffodil (Sternbergia lutea)
Mass plantings of these little buckets of gold create a lovely, romantic picture, especially in a rock garden or under rose bushes.
Planting: Summer, 8-10cm apart with the bulb at a depth of 5cm.
Soil: Well-drained.
Aspect: Sunny, light shade.
Climate: Cool, temperate, arid. Frost- and drought-tolerant.
Water: Maintain moisture while leaves are showing, but leave dry in summer.
Food: Complete fertiliser in autumn.
Size: 15H x 10cmW.
Bulb care: Lift and divide every five-six years. Can be stored in a warm, dry spot until replanted next summer.
Rain lily (Zephyranthes spp.)
Tending to bloom after heavy rain during summer and autumn, these little delights naturalise to weave their way through established plants. Great for rockeries or pots. The petals of rain lilies close up at night and then open in the morning.
Planting: Late spring, early summer, 15cm apart with tip at soil level.
Soil: Well-drained.
Aspect: Morning sun and afternoon shade.
Climate: Cool to subtropical.
Water: Regular watering, even during dormancy.
Food: All-purpose fertiliser in spring.
Size: 30H x 10cmW.
1Bulb care: Best left undisturbed. Divide and move bulbs during their dormancy only when clumps of the lilies become overcrowded.
Better tip: Plant or replant bulbs immediately as they don’t like being out of the ground for long periods of time.
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