Grow some autumn colour

Plant autumn bulbs and tidy spring ones, says Ruth

- Ruth Hayes

IF you haven’t already planted your autumn-flowering bulbs and tubers it’s a good idea to get a move on and get them in now.

There are bulbs for every situation and soil. Autumn crocuses and Sternbergia, plus cheerful yellow winter aconites look stunning naturalised in lawns and under trees.

Borders can easily be brightened by brilliant dahlias, cheery echinaceas and tall nerines with their clusters of trumpet-shaped blooms in shades of pink and hardy Cyclamen coum that take over flowering duties in the New Year.

For sheer showbiz glamour, flamboyant alstroemerias and elegantly drooping hesperantha will keep the colour coming until the first frosts and even later if you’re lucky.

Bulbs do best in free-draining soil, so if you garden on clay dig in plenty of well-rotted manure or compost to increase drainage and nutrients.