THE summer months are ­coming to an end as it is a bit darker and cooler in the mornings and it is getting darker earlier at night, though there have been some lovely afternoons lately.

Summer loving plants also show us they are affected by the change in temperature and daylight hours by slowing down their rate of growth and flower production.

The frosty nights are the worst enemy of the displays and can ruin a whole border overnight.

Bulbs are a saviour in the garden though as they provide a bit of colour when other plants are giving up.

A prime example at this time of year is the Colchicum or Autumn Crocus.

This is a wonder plant, as the beautiful extra-large crocus flowers appear with no foliage to support them which adds to the striking effect, particularly when they just pop up through existing borders.

Alliums are other bulbs that give many months of display as they produce fantastic structural flowers throughout the summer which then turn into wonderful starburst shaped seed heads at this time of the year.

However, when you talk about bulbs, most people will think about the spring flowering ones.

The most commonly known are daffodils, hyacinths, tulips, crocus and snowdrops.

You can get so many different varieties and cultivars of them all now which means there is no need for everyone to have the same displays anymore.

The best way to choose what you want to plant is to check out any of the catalogues and books devoted to bulbs or the package labels for pictures and information on the flowers, you may even like what you have seen in someone else's garden and ask them for a note of the name.

When it comes to planting, the general rule is to place them in holes to the depth of twice the size of the bulb.

You can plant bulbs in all sorts of areas, it just depends on what kind of display you are wanting. Some people like to naturalise daffodils and crocus in grassy areas and others prefer to dot hyacinths and tulips through flower beds.

I just think you should grow bulbs where you want for a bit of colour in the spring.

They look great anywhere, even in tubs or barrels, you can pot them up to make decorative displays indoors, too.