Unusual Fall Blooming Bulbs –

Autumn will really look like your second spring if you add these bulbs that flower in the fall. Unlike traditional spring blooming bulbs, these plants send up green leaves in the spring, then the foliage disappears in the summer. Just when you have forgotten all about the buried bulbs the flowers emerge without foliage in the fall to accent the landscape and celebrate the season year after year.

Colchicum: 

The large white or purple petals of this low growing bulb resemble water lilies and are always a bit of a surprise when they suddenly erupt from the ground in autumn. The blooms have no foliage so they look great surrounded by low growing groundcovers such as sedums or lamiums. Colchicums like well drained soils like most bulbs but they do need summer moisture and in warm summer climates they prefer a shaded site.

Tip: Buy and plant this bulb in early September but don’t delay – get the fresh bulbs into the ground immediately as they are not dormant and can dry out. You will be able to enjoy blooms the very same autumn.

Lycoris: 

This fall blooming bulb is a member of the lily family and the funnel shaped blooms do well in hot southern climates. Great for areas that suffer from deer and rodent damage as this bulb is not edible. Look for Lycoris radiate also known as the spider lily if you want to add a punch of bright red color and an unusual shape to your autumn garden.

Tip: Be patient and give this fall planted bulb a year or two to settle in before the flowers appear. Once it blooms you’ll have many years of returning color with little care.

Fall Crocus: 

The legendary saffron crocus or crocus sativus is the golden crocus that chef’s love to grow and can be planted in the spring or fall. You can harvest the yellow pollen to use as a homegrown spice to add a yellow color to rice and an exotic flavor to recipes. Another crocus that blooms in the fall is the species crocus (crocus speciosus) with pale purple blooms. The species crocus is easier to grow and will spread into larger colonies as the years go by.

Tip: Plant fall crocus under shrubs and trees with autumn foliage color. They will add to the delight of a fall pocket garden.