Fall-Blooming Bulbs Extend the Northwest Gardening Season

These gems hit their stride while the rest of the garden winds down

In spring , I always look forward to light bulb bursting through the ground . Searching for cute blooms amid the wet leaves and branch provides a fun understanding to wander the garden . Autumn is another time of class that bulbs can add exhilaration . take a walking about the garden as temperatures startle to cool , I often discover several treasures to relieve up the darkening days . The follow are a few of my pet fall - blossom lightbulb to assay in the Northwest . See more : Favorite Plants for capitulation

Fall crocus

The Colchicum are among the first to show up in September . Autumn crocus ( Colchicum autumnale , Zones 4–8 ) has a delicate and somewhat fragile lavender flower . It pops up from the background with no stems and no leaves , offering a surprising bright bloom in suspect opened ground . Autumn crocus is well-chosen in sunshine to mostly shade and has depleted moisture need . A grouping institute under a Japanese maple ( Acer palmatumand cvs . , Zones 5–9 ) is an idealistic combo , with the lavender crocus rosiness contrasting as if by magic with the bright orange - jaundiced declivity foliation of the maple .

Last twelvemonth I added ‘ Waterlily ’ fall crocus ( Colchicum‘Waterlily ’ , Zones 4–7 ) to my beds . This variety is a piffling sturdier thanC.autumnaleprobably because it has more petal . It prefers fond sunshine and a more exposed bed , which may serve it stay on more compact .

Hardy cyclamen

The variable intrepid cyclamen ( Cyclamen hederifolium , Zones 5–9 ) is a high spot in the snowdrop ( Galanthusspp . and cvs . , Zones 3–7 ) layer . Cyclamen choose sun to partial tint , is drouth patient of and summer dormant , and is beautiful in mass . unfearing cyclamen will spread where it is happy , and its serrate silver farewell are visible at the same time as the peak . Some cyclamen show blossom first , with the foliage emerging only after the plants have stop flower .

Autumn daffodil

The final two bulbs are a spot more common . fall daffodil ( Sternbergia lutea , Zones 6–9 ) has smart yellow flowers and look quite a bit like a scandalmongering crocus . It bloom from September to October and persists into wintertime . It likes to be teetotal and strong during summertime for the best flower show in free fall . I expect autumn Narcissus pseudonarcissus to be mythological this twelvemonth because it has been very ardent and dry . I ’ve planted it in an receptive border with partial sun closely to the front of the bed . I wish being capable to see it close to the path .

Queen Olga’s snowdrop

I ’m a big fan ofsnowdrops , so it was exciting to hear of a fall - bloom option . Queen Olga ’s snowdrop ( Galanthus reginae - olgae , Zones 6–9 ) forms a dainty clump in fond shadiness . The white blooms are quite different than most downfall colors and show well under ferns . A strong , musky sweetness adds to the temptingness . The foliation has a silver chevron in the middle of the leaf . It wish dry conditions in the summertime and practiced wet in the spring .

From a planting aspect , remember that these bulbs go dormant in summer , and you may see an open space that finger like it need to be planted . I sometimes forget there is something occupy that slur . you could prevent these “ blank ” spots in the bottom by add annuals . By carefully planting around the bulbs with shoal - settle down annuals , the empty spot operate aside . The annuals are then easily fling in fall .

Most gardener should be more cognizant of these season - offer plants . These bulbs are great multiplier factor and naturalize well in the garden . They provide food for foraging insects and help oneself them make for winter . All are useable by mail guild or in local nurseries , so now is the time to tote up them to your plant collection .

— Susan Calhoun is the possessor of Plantswoman Design in Bainbridge Island , Washington .

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fall crocus blooms in the autumn

Many gardeners think of bulbs only blooming in spring, but standout varieties like autumn crocus can make the end of the garden season more exciting.Photo: Danielle Sherry

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colchicum autumalis

Traditional autumn crocus has lovely lavender blooms that brighten up the darkening days.Photo: Susan Calhoun

autumn crocus ‘Waterlily’ is a hybrid

The hybrid ‘Waterlily’ is a sturdy and showy variety of autumn crocus.Photo: Susan Calhoun

small white flowers with broader sage-colored leaves, cyclamen is a hardy autumn bulb

Hardy cyclamen blooms in an array of colors. Often from one package of small bulbs you will get plants that have white, purple, and pink flowers.Photo: Susan Calhoun

autumn daffodil’s bright yellow blooms emerge from the ground in fall

A daffodil for fall? Surprisingly, yes! The bright yellow blooms of autumn daffodil are bright and undeniably cheerful.Photo: Susan Calhoun

Queen Olga’s snowdrop has dainty white flowers that open like clam shells that droop off their skinny stems in a clump

Queen Olga’s snowdrop, sometimes called autumn snowdrop, is a sophisticated bulb that deserves a royal spot in a shady section of the garden.Photo: Susan Calhoun