As summer starts to wane, many gardens begin to lose their vibrant colours, but fear not we have an abundance of colourful plants reading and waiting in our plant area!
Whether you’re looking to refresh your flower beds or simply want to enjoy a colourful garden for a few more weeks, these plants will help extend the beauty of your outdoor space well into autumn.
Rudbeckia
Rudbeckia is a garden staple for late summer and early fall. With its golden-yellow petals and dark brown centres, there’s no doubt it’s a cheerful addition to any garden. This perennial is not only drought-tolerant but also attracts butterflies, adding a lively touch to your landscape. Plant Rudbeckia in full sun, and it will reward you with weeks of continuous blooms.
Sedum
Sedum, particularly varieties like ‘Autumn Joy,’ is another excellent choice for late-season colour. Its thick, fleshy leaves provide interest even before it blooms. Come late summer, sedum produces clusters of pink flowers that gradually turn to a deep rosy red, lasting well into fall. Sedum is a low-maintenance plant that thrives in sunny spots and well-drained soil.
Helenium
For a burst of fiery colour, Helenium is simply perfect for this, with its daisy-like flowers in shades of yellow, orange, and red, this plant can add warmth to your garden. Helenium blooms profusely in late summer and is a favourite among pollinators. It prefers full sun and benefits from regular watering during dry spells.
Aster
Asters are synonymous with late summer and early Autumn, these star-shaped flowers come in a variety of colours, including purples, blues, pinks, and whites. Asters are ideal for adding a splash of colour to borders and containers. They thrive in full sun to partial shade and are relatively easy to grow, making them a favourite among gardeners.
Echinacea
Echinacea is a fantastic plant for late summer blooms, the cone-shaped flowers with drooping petals come in a range of colours, from traditional purples to vibrant oranges and reds. Echinacea is a hardy perennial that can tolerate drought and poor soil, making it a resilient addition to your garden
Crocosmia
If you’re looking for something a bit more exotic, Crocosmia could be the plant for you, with its sword-shaped leaves and arching sprays of fiery red, orange, or yellow flowers, Crocosmia adds drama to any garden setting. It’s a sun-loving plant that does well in both borders and containers and attracts beneficial insects such as butterflies.
Japanese Anemone
For a touch of elegance, consider Japanese Anemones. These plants produce tall stems topped with delicate, cup-shaped flowers in shades of pink, white, and mauve. They bloom from late summer through Autumn and are perfect for adding height and grace to the back of borders. Japanese Anemones prefer partial shade and moist, well-drained soil.
Hydrangea
Hydrangeas are well-known for their big, showy blooms, and many varieties peak in late summer. Look for varieties like ‘’Annabelle’ or ‘’Phantom’ that offer stunning dense panicles of creamy-white flowers, with tints of lime green, that mature to soft pinks.
Goldenrod
Often misunderstood as a weed, Goldenrod is a beautiful late-summer bloomer that deserves a spot in your garden. Its tall spires of bright yellow flowers add vertical interest and complement other late bloomers. Goldenrod is tough, drought-resistant, and perfect for naturalising or adding a splash of colour to a wildflower garden.
Tips for Late Summer Gardening
To keep your garden looking its best through the end of summer and into autumn remember to deadhead regularly by removing spent blooms, this encourages more flowers to form and will keep your garden vibrant for longer.
Late summer can bring dry conditions, so be sure to water deeply and consistently, especially during heatwaves.
Add a layer of mulch on top of beds and borders to help retain soil moisture and the keep roots cool, which is particularly beneficial for late summer plants.
With the right selection of plants, your garden can be a tapestry of colour even as summer fades into autumn. A great idea is to succession plant by staggering your planting times or choosing plants with different blooming periods, this will ensure continuous colour in your garden.
By incorporating some of these late summer bloomers, you’ll enjoy a vibrant, lively garden for weeks to come.
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If you’re looking for advice on something we’ve not mentioned above, our friendly staff are always on hand to help.