While at this time of year most of us are scrambling to buy and plant out bulbs for spring, Frank finds time to stop and marvel at the beauty of autumn bulbs and corms
Autumn is a manic time for bulbs. Either you are bulb rich and time poor and unopened boxes are sitting in the boot room, or you haven’t ordered enough or ordered in time and friends are making you jealous with reports of their unopened boxes and now you are trawling the internet for the last 50 of anything acceptable in existence. It is all about spring and our imaginations have leapfrogged the winter months. It is not that we are unaware of October’s charm, but we look up to the glowing trees and across to the burning horizons to see them. It is swansong in our minds when, really, the plants themselves have no such philosophy.
Perhaps we associate bulbs and spring because that is when they have the bare earth to themselves. Now it is all a little bit fusty and decayed at ground level and it is a hard task for a mere crocus to freshen a summer’s growth decaying. But that is simply a matter of presentation, which is our job and not that of the bulb. When autumn bulbs are done well there is nothing better.
Denne historien er fra October 2017-utgaven av Gardens Illustrated.
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Denne historien er fra October 2017-utgaven av Gardens Illustrated.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
Allerede abonnent? Logg på
WHY SHOULD I VOLUNTEER?
Giving your free time to volunteer in the community or as a mentor can have a big impact, and also benefit you in ways you can't imagine, says John Wyer
EARTHLY CONCERN
Weeds, slugs, birds and mice - all are welcome on Birch Farm in Devon, where Joshua Sparkes seeks to respect the local ecosystem and mimic nature in his innovative approach to growing
Gardening is good for you
In the first of his new factual column on the benefits of gardening, Dr Richard Claxton uncovers all the evidence-based ways it can help your physical health.
TANGERINE DREAM
On the edge of one of London's busiest roundabouts, Nigel Dunnett has created exciting combinations of drought-tolerant plants for a roof garden that is as unexpected as it is joyful
GOOD ENOUGH TO EAT
Growing your own edible plants is a great way to boost your gut microbiome. Discover expert picks of edimentals that are both beautiful and beneficial
Waste not, nice plot
Designer Miria Harris gave herself the challenge of a no-skip, zero-waste project, giving away, recycling or reusing everything in this back garden before transforming it into a space her client could love
One for all
A new community garden designed by Sarah Price around an old library turned arts centre in southeast London is a treasured space for local residents and garden lovers alike
Meet our horticultural HEROES
Discover the stories of the extraordinary garden champions who are making a difference to places, people, plants and the planet
SHARE AND SHARE ALIKE
In the culinary world, chefs and food writers sometimes closely guard their recipes, says Nigel Slater. Among gardeners, however, there is a refreshing spirit of generosity
Autumn at Sissinghurst
As the garden slips into a new season, head gardener Troy Scott Smith and his team are busy with tasks from hedge cutting and lawn work to bulb planting and sowing seeds.
