The weather men say it is now autumn and the last few days have been a bit nippy in the mornings and the sun, although quite strong, is definitely showing signs of autumn. Wasps have suddenly appeared and spiders are in their element fattening up for the winter.
The garden, whilst not looking too autumnal, has stopped growing, but by planting these bulbs and corms now you can have a swathe of bright colour late into the autumn. Just the thing after the great summer we have had.
Sternbergia Lutea – Autumn Daffodil, Lily-of-the-Field, Winter Daffodil, Yellow Autumn Crocus
Although its common names suggest a daffodil or a crocus, in fact the Sternbergia is related to the Amaryllis! Found growing wild from the Mediterranean to Tajikistan, but is fully hardy in the UK.
Best of all the Sternbergias with large bright yellow globular flowers up to 15 cm high which will certainly brighten up the drabbest of autumn days!
Leaves do not appear until spring and it is free flowering once established. Buy now as bulbs and plant immediately 10cm deep in a good free draining soil in a sunny position. They are best not disturbed once planted and a warm dry period in summer is required for good flowering the following autumn.
Oxalis Versicolour – Candy Cane Sorrel
The Oxalis mostly come from South Africa with a couple native in the UK.
Bicoloured Oxalis Versicolor (Candy Cane Sorrel) is a unique bulb with really spectacular flowers! It can be planted in the garden, but why not make a show and plant it in a container where it will happily provide you with flowers in about eight weeks time.
Very beautiful in full bloom, they are even more stunning when they have not quite opened up completely and display a striking red and white striped pattern just like a ‘Candy Cane’. Plant pointy end up about 3 cm deep and 10 cm apart. Water immediately after planting. They prefer full sun and a fertile well drained soil. Store your Oxalis in a frost free place over the winter or if left in the ground protect from frost.
Colchicum ‘Waterlilly’ – Autumn Crocus
This variety produces beautiful lilac-pink flowers without needing any compost or water. Each flower comprises over 20 petals and flowers and are unusual, attractive and eye-catching. The bulbs can simply be placed on the window sill. After flowering they can be planted out in the garden, and they can stay outdoors to hibernate throughout winter as they are completely hardy.
If you do grow them in the garden plant them 15cm deep and 10cm apart. Grows best in nutritious soil that is not too dry in a spot in full sun or partial shade. They can also be grown in lawns, but the leaves must be left to die down before mowing can begin.
‘Waterlily’ is an easy to grow plant
Crocus sativus – Saffron
We don’t often think of bulbs as edible, but this beautiful autumn-blooming Saffron Crocus (Crocus Sativus) is, as its name suggests, the flower from which we gather saffron, the quintessential seasoning for paella and other Mediterranean dishes and perfect for adding to basmati rice for an authentic Indian curry!
The lilac-purple flowers produce vibrant red stigmas, which have been used for flavouring and colouring dishes since Roman times. It is as easy to grow as it is easy to harvest the saffron, but it’s not vital you do so – you may just wish to enjoy the lovely autumn flowers. They will thrive in a well drained border, or in a container on the patio. Plus they’re super-hardy (tolerant of summer heat and winter cold) and multiply rapidly from year to year. Plant 10cm apart and 10-15cm deep.
Many attributes are given to Saffron as well as its colour and flavour – it is meant to be a mood enhancer and even an aphrodisiac! Although I have never been able to find out how much to take for either, purely in the name of research!
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