Autumn Flowering Bulbs

How to choose the best autumn bulbs

Autumn-flowering bulbs like autumn Crocus bring fresh vigour and vibrant energy to the autumn garden. Jewels of the season like the sparkling pink Nerine and delicate autumn crocuses extend the gardening year, flowering right up until the first frosts. Planting these bulbs in late spring or summer is the perfect way to give your garden a welcome, pre-winter boost. Read these FAQs to help you pick the right autumn flowers for your garden. For help growing your blooms, check out our ultimate guide to bulbs, packed with expert tips.

Which autumn-flowering bulbs do best in pots?

If you have a small outdoor space or rent a patio garden, there are plenty of autumn-flowering bulbs you can grow in pots. Small pots are ideal for cyclamen, colchium bulbs and tuberous begonias. Place a pot filled with one of these beauties on an outdoor table or next to the balcony door for a compact powerhouse of colour. Large containers are a good place to grow big showy dahlia tubers in electric colours.

Which autumn-flowering bulbs are scented?

Gladiolus murielae flowers have a delicate, sweet perfume. More delicate than summer blooming gladioli, gladiolus murielae produces tall stems that hold two and sometimes three white, star-shaped blooms with deep purple centres. Enjoy these beauties as they bloom, or cut and bring inside for a cracking indoor display.

Which autumn-flowering bulbs are best for shade?

Cyclamen hederifolium is a real shade lover. This little autumn-flowering bulb is at home on the shady floor of woodland gardens and positively thrives when planted at the base of deciduous trees. The deep green leaves stay above ground through winter, providing a soft carpet of green.

Are autumn-flowering bulbs perennials?

Most autumn-flowering bulbs are perennials. They have varying degrees of hardiness and some, like dahlias, need protection from frost to come back again the following year. Others, like alstroemeria, are hardy and will die back in the garden to resprout again in spring, happily staying put over winter.