To many people, fall is the time of year when the gardening
season is drawing to a close, and it is time to close the flower
bed and prepare for winter. Even though most gardeners are ready
to hang up their garden tools and get ready for the next season,
gardeners can continue to enjoy the beauty of the fall season,
since there are a number of beautiful flowers blooming all
through the autumn of the year.
There are many fall bulbs available to the average gardener, and
it is important to choose the right ones. When initially
planting the bulbs, it is important to take care to choose the
best location within the garden. It is important to choose a
location where the delicate fall bulbs will not be overshadowed
by larger plants or hidden in with the surrounding ground cover.
One advantage of fall bulbs, however, is that they are hardy.
After they have been in the ground a few years, these bulbs will
be able to take their rightful place and thrive in any garden
setting.
One of the most frequently seen of all fall bulbs is the hardy
cyclamens (Cyclamen Hederifolium). These bulbs are able to come
back year after year, and they have been known to last for a
decade or even more. In addition, the hardy cyclamen produces
breathtaking blooms, and it is generally a very undemanding
plant.
Other than a good quality soil, sufficient water and ample
sunlight, the cyclamen needs little in order to bloom year after
year. Each small cyclamen bloom has a soft pink petal that is
complimented by an eye of darker pink. These small blooms are
tiny version of the larger cyclamen that is often seen at
Christmastime. In the home garden, the hardy cyclamen often
blooms into November.
Another popular autumn flower is the colchicum. These flowers
usually bloom in the middle of September, and they are similar
in appearance to crocuses but generally much larger. Most
colchicums seen in the garden are hybrids of either C. Autumnale
or C. Speciosum. There are some subtle differences between these
two common varieties, and their blossoms come in shades of rose
and violet. The sizes of colchicums vary from 10 to 12 inches.
While these flowers can be used in many settings, they are a
particularly beautiful way to accent a rock garden.
Autumn daffodils are another popular fall flower, and they can
provide a beautiful touch of color for the garden. It is
important to plant fall daffodils in a well drained flower bed
and to provide them with plenty of sunlight. It is also
important to avoid planting autumn daffodils in areas where
moisture pools, as excessive moisture could damage the bulbs.
Autumn daffodils often bloom at the same time as the colchicum,
and the two can provide a striking color palette.
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