But, in reality, blooms will fade and leave beds and borders bare again until next spring.
The good news is we can prolong our gardens bursting with colour by planting autumn-flowering bulbs now. When summer is coming to an end, they will push through the ground, bringing a fresh flush of colour for another few months.
Colchicums or Autumn crocus are very low-maintenance and produce large, goblet-shaped flowers that appear just as many summer plants are fading. Their leaves, however, don’t appear until late winter through to early spring, spreading naturally over time.
Parent corms grow new corms and once the leaves have died back they can be divided and planted in other parts of the garden or give to gardening friends.
Cyclamen are one of the best plants for brightening shady spots, forming a striking carpet of flowers and foliage, returning year after year. Cyclamen hederifolium can be planted as dormant, dry tubers this month or as growing plants, later in the year. Once in position, these bulbs care for themselves as long as the soil remains fairly dry, making them perfect for under trees and shrubs
Nerines with their elegant clusters of ruffled pink flowers make one of autumn’s most striking displays. These hardy bulbs thrive in the UK autumn, making them ideal for novice gardeners to grow.
The RHS recommend planting the bulbs soon after buying them, around 10cm apart, with the neck of each bulb sitting just above the soil surface. Mulch with horticultural grit to improve drainage. They don’t like to be crowded with other plants so give them their own space and you will be rewarded with a wonderful display.
Author: Jonny
Author of Gardening Life!