August is the perfect time to get your beds ready for a burst of autumn colour. Autumn-flowering bulbs — colchicums, saffron crocus (Crocus sativus), and sternbergias — should go into the ground now, ready to bloom six to eight weeks later, often popping up before their leaves even appear.
Here’s how:
Pick a well-drained, sunny spot (or partial shade for colchicums).
Loosen the soil and work in a little well-rotted compost.
Plant bulbs two to three times their own depth, pointed end up.
Space them 10-15 cm apart for a full, natural-looking display.
Water lightly after planting, then let nature take over.
These hardy bulbs need very little care: once settled in, they’ll return to flower every autumn for years to come. Saffron crocus comes with a bonus — its precious stigmas can be gently harvested to season your cooking.
One tip: plant them soon after buying, as these bulbs dry out quickly once out of the ground. Your autumn borders are just waiting for you!