Autumn-flowering bulbs

Just as summer begins to soften, autumn-flowering bulbs bring a fresh wave of interest to borders, pots and naturalised planting. These later bloomers extend the flower-bulb season beyond spring and summer, with distinctive varieties such as autumn crocuses, colchicums, cyclamen and other bulbs and corms flowering when much of the garden is beginning to change. Their colours range from clear white and soft pink to lilac, violet and richer purple tones, often appearing unexpectedly through lower planting or beneath deciduous shrubs.

The planting season varies between different autumn flower bulbs, so it is worth choosing and planting each type at the right time for its natural growth cycle. Many are planted in summer or early autumn to flower later the same year, while others establish over time and return in subsequent seasons where conditions suit them. They can be particularly effective threaded through perennial borders, grouped beneath trees or planted in containers where their flowers can be enjoyed at close range. Some autumn-flowering bulbs also provide useful late nectar for bees and other pollinators when fewer plants remain in bloom.

For UK gardens, these late-flowering bulbs are a simple way to make the transition into autumn feel less like an ending. Combine different species to create small bursts of colour through the garden, or use one variety generously for a more natural drift. From elegant autumn crocus flowers to unusual seasonal bulbs that appear when least expected, autumn-flowering bulbs add another chapter to the gardening year and give you something fresh to look forward to after summer’s peak.