OCTOBER PLANT SPOTLIGHT

Still flowering in October? Meet the Cornish Lily!

With its bright pink, curled petals, the Cornish lily is one of autumn's most spectacular flowering bulbs.

A splash of pink when summer is over

Just look at these flowers! While plenty of summer blooms are winding down, the Cornish lily (Nerine bowdenii), also called the Bowden lily, is coming into its own. Its elegant, narrow pink petals curl back from the flower heads, giving it a striking, almost starburst appearance.

This is a bulb that normally flowers in September and October in the UK, so there is nothing unusual about seeing such a colourful display well into autumn. In a sheltered garden, the show can continue later if the weather is mild.

Where to plant Cornish lilies

Choose a sunny, sheltered spot, ideally at the base of a warm, south-facing wall or along a well-drained border. These bulbs dislike sitting in cold, waterlogged soil during winter. If your soil is heavy, improve drainage or consider growing them in containers.

How to keep them flowering

• Give them sun: good light encourages reliable flowering.
• Keep the neck visible: don't bury the bulbs too deeply; the neck should remain at or just above soil level.
• Allow leaves to grow: after flowering, let foliage die back naturally so the bulb can store energy for next year.
• Leave established clumps alone: they often flower best when not disturbed too frequently.
• Protect from excessive winter wet: good drainage matters especially in colder and wetter areas of the North West.

Why we love it

It's proof that the gardening year doesn't finish at the end of August. With a little planning, borders can give you something beautiful to enjoy right through autumn.