There are more autumn-flowering bulbs for October than you might think, brining colour to pots and borders.

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Don't forget to enjoy the blooms indoors, by snipping a bunch for a vase. If it's cut flowers you're after, take a look at some of our favourite flowers to pick in October.

Discover five of the best autumn-flowering bulbs for October, below.

Gladiolus murielae

Abyssinian gladiolus, Gladiolus murielae, looks somewhat like giant snowdrops. Nodding, fragrant blooms appear from late-summer to October, and are surrounded by a sward of rich green foliage.

Gladiolus murielae
Abyssinian gladiolus, looking like giant snowdrops

Nerines

There are plenty of nerine species and cultivars out there to suit everyone, including the magenta 'Isabel' and white-flowered 'Alba'. Nerine bowdenii is fully hardy and best grown in full sun with free-draining soil.

Nerine bowdenii 'Pink Surprise'
Delicate flowers of nerine 'Pink Surprise'

Cyclamen hederifolium

Autumn-flowering Cyclamen hederifolium are ideal for livening up shady spots. Hardy and unfussy, they'll gradually spread to form a rich carpet of colour.

Cyclamen hederifolium
Pink cyclamen growing amongst brown fallen leaves

Tuberous begonias

Though tender, tuberous begonias like 'Million Kisses Elegance' and 'Illumination Scarlet' (pictured) will flower up until the first frosts, though they're best lifted before this, so the bulbs can be replanted next year.

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Begonia 'Illumination Scarlet'
Red, double begonia 'Illumination Scarlet'

Hesperantha

Crimson flag (hesperantha) are gorgeous bulbous perennials, usually flowering from September to October. Take a look at our full advice on how to grow hesperantha.

Hesperantha coccinea 'Pink Princess'
Delicate ice-pink flowers of Hesperantha coccinea 'Pink Princess'

Tips for growing cut flowers

If you're growing flowers with the intention to cut and display them, there a few things to bear in mind: control competing weeds growing nearby, feed and water regularly and above all, keep picking. This will encourage the production of new blooms instead of seeds. 
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