Gardening doesn't have to lose its vibrancy at summer's end - fall-blooming bulbs are the key to prolonging the blooming season.

Autumn Blooms: A Guide to Fall-Flowering Plants

Autumn is a beautiful season, and what better way to enhance its beauty than with a splash of colour from fall-flowering plants? Here's a guide to some of the best autumn blooms and where you can find them.

Colchicum, the Autumn Crocus

Contrary to popular belief, 'The Autumn Crocus' is not a crocus but a fall-flowering bulb in the lily family (Lilaceae). Colchicum autumnale and Colchicum speciosum 'Album' are two species that form large drifts and grow in both sun and shade. Both have pretty pink and white colours, respectively. Unfortunately, there are no specific listings naming the best German ornamental plant trade companies offering these autumn flowers like Colchicum, Alstroemeria, and Crocosmia. However, you can find Colchicum 'The Autumn Crocus' online at Manor Stores.

Alstroemeria

The herbaceous perennial Alstroemeria grows from bulb-like tubers, produces new stems each spring, and flowers all summer and all autumn. Alstroemeria prefers a sunny location in the garden. You can purchase Alstroemeria from Edelweiss Perennials.

Nerine

Nerine plants are perennial bulbs that bloom in fantastic colours from September to November. They require little or no attention once established and have a hardiness zone of 8-11. Nerine plants can be purchased from Manor Stores.

Cyclamen hederifolium

Cyclamen hederifolium is a spectacular fall-flowering plant that tolerates various conditions. It thrives as a woodland plant and is one of the best plants for under trees. Cyclamen hederifolium produces an abundance of dainty blooms and foliage well into fall and spring. It is fully hardy and can be found in hardiness zones 4-9. You can purchase Cyclamen hederifolium from Plants Delights Nursery.

Crocosmia

Crocosmia is a cottage garden plant that blooms throughout summer and right through fall. Crocosmia corms can be purchased at Nature Hills. Crocosmia 'Star Of The East' is a tangerine-coloured variety that is grown en masse at Great Dixter and particularly superb around Halloween time. Crocosmia × crocosmioides 'Castle Ward Late' flowers well into late November, and Crocosmia 'Late Lucifer' blooms several weeks later than Crocosmia Lucifer.

Oxalis

Oxalis, a plant often grown as a houseplant, has varieties that bloom in fall. These include Oxalis 'Autumn Pink', Oxalis Versicolor, and Oxalis spiralis aurea, Amber Plum Crazy. Oxalis plants have beautiful auburn leaves perfect for fall and have a hardiness zone of 5-10. You can purchase Oxalis bulbs from Dutch Grown.

A long-handled bulb planter like this bulb transplanter from Amazon can save you a backache when planting bulbs. It's recommended to plant bulbs generously in great swathes for a stunning display of autumn colours. Happy gardening!

Gardening doesn't have to lose its vibrancy at summer's end - fall-blooming bulbs are the key to prolonging the blooming season.