For gardeners, autumn is bulb planting time. Accompanied by visions of how spring will look when daffodils, tulips, hyacinths and crocuses open their colorful blooms, we fill our borders and containers with these deceptively unexciting little packages. But as well as new varieties of old favorites, why not widen the net and try something completely different for next spring? Many more unusual bulbs are reasonably priced yet give so much. Glamorous colors and shapes light up the greenhouse or garden, and there’s the excitement of discovering their origin, habitat and how to coax them into bloom.
My love affair with plants that grow from bulbs, corms, tubers and rhizomes started back in the 1970s when, as a teenager, I spent my Saturdays working in our local pet and garden shop. Every autumn, boxes of bulbs would be delivered, and the boss had usually ordered a few unusual kinds. This is how I first came nose to nose with the large, foxy-smelling bulbs of Fritillaria imperialis – and ended up taking some home in lieu of pay. Watching their 3ft (1m) stems of nodding orange flowers topped by green bracts develop, I was soon hooked.
Esta historia es de la edición September 19, 2020 de Amateur Gardening.
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Esta historia es de la edición September 19, 2020 de Amateur Gardening.
Comience su prueba gratuita de Magzter GOLD de 7 días para acceder a miles de historias premium seleccionadas y a más de 9,000 revistas y periódicos.
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To dig or not to dig?
Should we be carrying out a full dig on plots now? Bob considers the pros and cons of the 'autumn dig' debate
The box ball blues
As if his beleaguered box hadn't already taken a beating, Toby now has to deal with some hungry box caterpillars
Save your own seeds
Masterclass on: seed saving
Strange sightings
Three unusual insects turn up in Val's garden in one day
A bolt from the blue!
Cornflowers are perfect for garden and vase
Winter moth prevention
Ruth shows you how to avoid maggoty tree fruits
Create a winter container
There are as many options as in summer
Lightweight gardening tools
AS well as being good for our mental health, gardening is also great exercise.
Autumn price round-up
AG finds better bargains in lesser-known brands
Rudbeckias
Rudbeckias are ideal for sunny summer patios and borders, with some able to survive our coldest winters