The mornings now have a fresh feel to them, but overnight temperatures are still staying above 10 degrees. It really does feel as though we are coming to the end of the summer now, but there’s plenty to be doing in the garden this month; below are some hints and tips put together by Chairman and horticulturist John Richardson.
1)The first 10 days of September is the last time to be taking cuttings of tender perennials such as pelargoniums and fuchsias. Roots will form much quicker before the cooler weather sets in. It is better to take cuttings at this late stage to root them round the edge of a pot and leave them in the pot until transplanting next spring. Alternatively, bring the old plants under cover in a cool but frost-free room and take cuttings early next year.
2)Have you ever thought of buying a greenhouse? Now is a good time to buy at a discounted price, with the whole winter to erect it and have it ship-shape for the start of next spring.
3)Time to check bigger trees around the garden; September can be a windy month and well worth the knowledge that boughs are not likely to come crashing down on the house, the garden and the new greenhouse in the winter sales.
4) If you have time to spare on the weekend, take a notebook around the garden and note those plants which are happy in their location, are growing too big, have the wrong colour combination with neighbouring plants, or really need more space. It will make your winter sort-out in the garden much easier.
5) Planting new shrubs in autumn has the benefit of warm soil to get the plants established before winter and the soil is usually moist; delay bare-root tree planting until November and be sure to install a stake at the time of planting. Always put the stake on the windward side and secure it with a proper tree time.
6) September is a good month to plant spring-flowering bulbs, but leave tulips until November, as this will help prevent the fungal disease ‘tulip fire’. If you find mice digging up your crocus bulbs, cover them with fine chicken wire, which won’t affect grass mowing but should dissuade mice.
7)If you have heavy soil, dig over the garden borders later this month as the bedding plants need to be removed. This will make digging easier as the soil will not be at full water capacity as in later months.
8) Crocosmias form large mounds of roots and corms over the years, separate them with 2 forks by pulling them apart, or remove the soil and untangle them with the help of a hosepipe jet.
9) Continue to trim fast-growing hedging, and don’t overlook the weeds in the hedge bottoms.
10)Newly planted perennials will do well when planted over the next 6 weeks. Give the roots of new plants a good soaking before planting, and firm in well to the original depth and place a good mulch around the plant to prevent moisture loss and winter frost damage to young roots.
11) During this month and next, the lawn can be cut less frequently but will really benefit from mechanical scarifying or the regular use of a spring tine rake to remove the old ‘thatch’. Aerating the lawn by means of a machine or a garden fork will work wonders, in conjunction with a specific lawn weed-killer and an autumn lawn fertilizer dressing.
Posted 16th Sep 3:27pm
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While many herbaceous plants have already finished their main show by October, there are still a number of reliable performers that continue to bring colour and life to borders into early autumn. Varieties such as Anemone, Geranium, Sedum, and Helenium provide valuable late-season interest with their fresh foliage and long-lasting blooms. These plants are perfect for bridging the seasonal gap between summer and winter, adding softness, structure, and rich colour tones just when many borders begin to fade. Whether you’re refreshing a tired planting scheme or looking to extend the flowering period of a new project, these late-flowering herbaceous favourites are ideal choices for prolonging garden appeal into the cooler months.
Anemone (Japanese Windflower) is a graceful perennial that blooms from late summer into autumn, adding soft colour and movement to borders. With tall, airy stems and delicate pink or white flowers, it’s ideal for partial shade and pairs beautifully with ferns and grasses. Low-maintenance and long-flowering, it’s a standout in late-season gardens.
Flowers: August – October (depending on variety)
Position: Full sun – partial shade
Height: Up to 1.2m (depending on variety)
Soil: Moist, fertile, humus-rich soil
Pot size: 2L, 3L (depending on variety and subject to availability)
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Agastache (also known as Hyssop or Hummingbird Mint) is a fragrant, upright perennial prized for its spikes of tubular flowers in shades of purple, pink, orange, or blue from mid-summer to autumn. Loved by bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds, it thrives in full sun and well-drained soil, tolerating heat and drought. Its aromatic foliage and long bloom time make it perfect for pollinator gardens, prairie-style borders, and dry, sunny spots.
Flowers: July – October (depending on variety)
Position: Full sun
Height: Up to 1m (depending on the variety)
Soil: Fertile, well-drained soil
Pot size: 2L. 3L
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Aster (also known as Michaelmas Daisy) is a late-blooming perennial that brings a burst of colour from late summer into autumn. With daisy-like flowers in shades of purple, pink, blue, or white, it’s a favorite for pollinators, especially bees and butterflies. Asters thrive in full sun to partial shade and work beautifully in borders, wildlife gardens, and mixed plantings.
Flowers: August – October (depends on the variety)
Position: Full sun
Height: Up to 0.9m (depending on variety)
Soil: Well-drained, moderately fertile soil
Pot size: 2L, 3L
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Geranium (Hardy Geranium or Cranesbill) is a reliable, low-maintenance perennial valued for its mounded foliage and long-lasting, saucer-shaped flowers in shades of pink, blue, purple, or white. Blooming from late spring through summer—and some varieties into autumn—it thrives in sun or partial shade and well-drained soil. Geraniums are excellent for groundcover, edging, or weaving through borders, and many varieties are deer-resistant and pollinator-friendly.
Flowers: June – October (depending on variety)
Position: Full sun – partial shade
Height: Up to 0.6m (depending on variety)
Soil: Fertile, well-drained soil
Pot size: 2L
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Penstemon (commonly known as Beardtongue) is a long-flowering perennial admired for its tall spires of tubular flowers in shades of pink, purple, red, white, or blue, blooming from early summer into autumn. Its elegant, upright form and nectar-rich blooms make it a favourite with bees and hummingbirds. Penstemon prefers full sun and well-drained soil, and works beautifully in mixed borders, cottage gardens, and pollinator-friendly plantings. Deadheading encourages a longer bloom period.
Flowers: July – October
Position: Full sun- partial shade
Height: Up to 1m (depending on variety)
Soil: Fertile, moist, well-drained soil
Pot size: 2l, 3L (depending on variety and subject to availability).
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Persicaria (commonly known as Knotweed or Bistort) is a bold, long-flowering perennial known for its dense spikes of small flowers in shades of red, pink, or white, blooming from mid-summer into autumn. It thrives in sun or partial shade and prefers moist, well-drained soil, making it ideal for naturalistic borders, damp spots, or prairie-style plantings. With its spreading habit and extended bloom time, Persicaria adds texture, movement, and late-season colour to the garden—and is loved by pollinators too
Flowers: June – October (depending on variety)
Position: Full sun- partial shade
Height: Up to 1m (depending on variety)
Soil: Any moist soil
Pot size: 2l (depending on variety and subject to availability)
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Rudbeckia (commonly known as Black-eyed Susan) is a bold, late-summer perennial known for its bright yellow or gold daisy-like flowers with distinctive dark central cones. Blooming from mid-summer into autumn, it thrives in full sun and well-drained soil, and is loved by bees, butterflies, and birds. Rudbeckia adds vibrant colour and structure to borders, prairie-style plantings, and pollinator gardens, and pairs well with grasses and other late-season perennials.
Flowers: August – October (depending on variety)
Position: Full sun
Height: Up to 0.8m (depending on variety)
Soil: Moderately fertile, preferably heavy but well-drained soil
Pot size: 2l, 3L (depending on variety and subject to availability)
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Salvia (commonly known as Sage) is a vibrant, long-flowering perennial known for its spikes of tubular flowers in shades of blue, purple, pink, or red, blooming from late spring through summer, often into autumn. It thrives in full sun and well-drained soil, is drought-tolerant, and highly attractive to bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds. With aromatic foliage and a tidy habit, Salvia is perfect for borders, pollinator gardens, and Mediterranean-style plantings.
Flowers: June – October (depending on variety)
Position: Full sun
Height: Up to 1.2m (depending on variety)
Soil: Moderately fertile, moist but well-drained soil
Pot size: 2l, 3L,5L (depending on variety and subject to availability)
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Sedum (commonly known as Stonecrop) is a hardy, drought-tolerant perennial prized for its fleshy, succulent leaves and flat-topped flower heads that bloom from late summer into autumn. Flowers come in shades of pink, red, or white, and are highly attractive to bees and butterflies. Sedum thrives in full sun and well-drained soil, making it ideal for borders, gravel gardens, and containers. Its upright varieties add structure and seasonal colour, while low-growing types work well as groundcover.
Flowers: August – November (depending on variety)
Position: Full sun
Height: Up to 0.6m (depending on variety)
Soil: Moderately fertile, well-drained, neutral to slightly alkaline soil
Pot size: 2l, 3L, 5L (depending on variety and subject to availability)
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Posted 16th Sep 2:39pm
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As perennials start to wind down, these shrubs provide vibrant foliage, rich berries, and late blooms that keep borders glowing through the cooler months. From colourful Cornus stems to the fiery foliage of Rhus, here are some of our top shrub picks to bring structure and seasonal drama into your space this autumn.
Abelia is a semi-evergreen shrub with arching branches that produce small, fragrant, tubular white or pale pink flowers from summer through to October. The ‘Kaleidoscope’ variety adds striking variegated foliage that shifts from golden-yellow to warm orange-red as the season changes. Compact and easy to care for, it’s ideal for borders or containers.
Flowers: June – October (depending on the variety)
Position: Full sun
Height: Up to 1.5m (depending on the variety)
Soil: Well-drained soil
Pot size: 2L, 3L, 5L, 10L + (subject to availability)
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Fuchsias are beloved for their long flowering season, offering vibrant, two-tone hanging blooms well into autumn. Compact varieties like ‘Tom Thumb’ and ‘Mrs Popple’ are perfect for pots or low borders, while ‘Genii’ adds golden foliage for extra interest. They thrive in sheltered spots and partial shade, and are especially valued for extending garden colour.
Flowers: June-October
Position: Full sun or partial shade
Height: Up to 1m (depending on variety)
Soil: Fertile, moist well-drained soil
Pot size: 2L (depending on variety and subject to availability)
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Hypericum, or St John’s Wort, is a reliable late-season bloomer with sunny yellow star-shaped flowers and attractive seed pods. ‘Miracle Bliss’ has semi-evergreen foliage with colourful berries in autumn, while ‘Hidcote’ is a classic variety great for low hedges or mixed planting schemes. Ideal for pollinator-friendly planting.
Flowers: June-October (depending on variety)
Position: Full sun – partial shade (depending on variety)
Height: Up to 1m (depending on variety)
Soil: Moderately fertile, moist but well-drained soil
Pot size: 2L, 3L, 5L, 10L (depending on variety and subject to availability)
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Potentilla shrubs are hard-working, low-maintenance plants that bloom generously from spring to late autumn. With cheerful flowers in red, yellow, white, or pink depending on variety, they’re perfect for borders, rockeries, or coastal gardens. Drought-tolerant and compact, they perform well even in poor soils.
Flowers: May – October
Position: Full sun – partial shade
Height: Up to 1m depending on the variety
Soil: moderately fertile, well-drained soil
Pot size: 2L, 3L, 5L, 7.5L, 10L (depending on variety and subject to availability)
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Known as the burning bush, Euonymus alatus transforms in autumn with vivid crimson foliage and corky winged stems that add texture and drama. Its neat, bushy habit makes it a popular choice for hedging or as a seasonal feature in mixed borders.
Position: Full sun – partial shade
Height: Up to 2m
Width: Up to 3m
Soil: well-drained soil
Pot size: 2L, 3L, 5L, 10L ( subject to availability)
Also called spindle tree, this deciduous shrub bursts into flaming scarlet foliage in autumn, often followed by striking orange-pink fruit that lasts into winter. It’s a fantastic choice for wilder or woodland garden styles and offers great visual interest even after leaf fall.
Position: Full sun – partial shade
Height: Up to3m
Width: Up to 2.5m
Soil: well-drained soil
Pot size: 2L, 3L, 5L, 10L ( subject to availability)
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Best known for its vivid clusters of metallic purple berries in autumn, Callicarpa ‘Profusion’ is a true standout shrub. While its summer foliage is attractive, the real show begins in autumn when the leaves drop and reveal the jewel-like berries along bare stems.
Position: Sun or dappled shade
Height: Up to3m
Width: Up to 2.5m
Soil: well-drained soil
Pot size: 3L, 10L ( subject to availability)
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Dogwoods like ‘Midwinter Fire’ and ‘Sibirica’ provide striking winter stems in fiery shades of red, orange, and yellow once their leaves fall. While they’re low-key during summer, their dramatic bare stems make them invaluable for year-round structure and colour, especially in mass plantings or alongside evergreens.
Position: Full sun – partial shade
Height: Up to 3m (depending on the variety)
Width: Up to 2m (depending on the variety)
Soil: moderately fertile soil
Pot size: 2L, 3L, 5L, 10L ( subject to availability and the variety)
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This upright, thorny evergreen shrub shines in autumn with dense clusters of red, yellow, or orange berries. Pyracantha is fantastic for adding colour to fences or walls and is popular with birds. Its spring flowers are also bee-friendly, making it a wildlife garden staple.
Position: Full sun – partial shade
Flowers: May
Height: Up to 3m (depending on the variety)
Width: Up to 3m (depending on the variety)
Soil: fertile, well-drained soil
Pot size: 2L, 3LD, 5L, 10L, 20L + ( subject to availability and the variety)
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Cotoneaster offers multi-season appeal with white spring flowers followed by red berries that persist into winter. The horizontalis variety is particularly eye-catching, with its low, fan-shaped growth perfect for walls or ground cover. Autumn foliage adds further seasonal beauty.
Position: Full sun – partial shade
Flowers: May-June (depending on variety)
Height: Up to 2m (depending on the variety)
Width: Up to 1.5m (depending on the variety)
Soil: fertile, well-drained soil
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Often called Heavenly Bamboo, Nandina has bamboo-like foliage that turns fiery red in autumn. Some varieties also bear clusters of red berries. Its compact form and colourful leaves make it perfect for containers, borders, or Japanese-style gardens.
Position: Full sun – partial shade
Flowers: July (depending on variety)
Height: Up to 2m (depending on the variety)
Width: Up to 1.5m (depending on the variety)
Soil: moist, well-drained soil
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Commonly known as Guelder Rose, this deciduous shrub produces lacecap flowers in spring followed by brilliant red berries and rich autumn foliage. It’s ideal for hedgerows or naturalistic planting and supports a wide range of wildlife.
Position: Full sun – partial shade
Flowers: May – June (depending on variety)
Height: Up to 5m (depending on the variety)
Width: Up to 5m (depending on the variety)
Soil: Fertile, moist, well-drained soil
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Rhus, or Stag’s Horn Sumac, is known for its dramatic fern-like foliage that turns intense orange, scarlet, and burgundy in autumn. Its fuzzy branches and upright panicles of fruit add bold architectural interest. Best used as a specimen plant due to its spreading habit.
Position: Full sun
Flowers: June – August (depending on variety)
Height: Up to 5m (depending on the variety)
Width: Up to 6m (depending on the variety)
Soil: Fertile, well-drained soil
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Skimmia ‘Rubella’ produces deep red flower buds in autumn that remain over winter, opening to creamy white blooms in spring. Its evergreen, glossy leaves and tolerance for shade make it an excellent year-round shrub for containers or underplanting in mixed borders.
Position: Partial Shade
Flowers: April – May
Height: Up to 1.5m
Width: Up to 1.5m
Soil: Fertile, moist, well-drained acid or ericaceous soil
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With heart-shaped, deep purple foliage and pink spring flowers, this small tree or large shrub adds real drama. In autumn, its leaves turn vivid shades of red, orange and yellow. It’s a striking focal point for large borders or open spaces.
Position: Full Sun
Flowers: March – April
Height: Up to 10m
Width: Up to 10m
Soil: Moist, well-drained soil
Posted 15th Sep 10:52am
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