Autumn Flower Bombs

Bury some treasure in the ground this month and you will be rewarded with autumn-flowering bulbs that explode with colour

- Hazel Sillver

Planting late bulbs is an enjoyable weekend job that promises cheer in August and beyond. From the elegance of nerines and Abyssinian gladioli, to the punchy colour of cannas and dahlias, there is a wide range of bulbs, corms, rhizomes and tubers that extend the season, many of them flowering into October and November.

In the border, enjoy the bell flowers of Gladiolus papilio (such as peach-colored ‘David Hills’), Hesperantha coccinea (such as glossy red ‘Major’) and dahlias galore. To achieve height and impact, try golden Dahlia ‘Hercules’ and glamorous pink ‘Penhill Watermelon’, while for bright colour go for ‘Selina’ (magenta) and ‘Bishop of Llandaff’ (red). Cannas also inject a blast of late colour – the dark, lush leaves and scarlet blooms of Tropicanna Black are particularly dramatic.

Plants to lift the spirits

In woodland gardens or around deciduous shrubs, plant a generous show of Cyclamen hederifolium, which has dainty pink flowers and striking foliage, while the silver-leaved form is especially lovely. Naked ladies (such as Colchicum ‘Waterlily’) and autumn crocuses (such as Crocus speciosus ‘Albus’) lift the spirits when they flower through the fallen leaves.