With September around the corner, green-fingered gardeners will be preparing for autumn – which is when these blooms shineThis article contains affiliate links, we will receive a commission on any sales we generate from it. Learn more
There’s still time to plant some beautiful bright flowers in your garden for autumn(Image: Tom Meaker via Getty Images)
As we find ourselves deep into August, autumn is just a stone’s throw away – and with it comes a dip in temperature. As the year winds down, many of our garden plants enter a dormant phase or die off, leaving us with a lack of colour outdoors.
However, there are certain flower varieties that can brave the cold and continue to bloom during the chillier months. The horticultural experts at The Spruce have unveiled five types that you can plant this month for a colourful garden in autumn and even extend into winter.
From eye-catching purple violas to lush pink Abelias, there’s a plant ideal for every garden – be it potted or planted in a flower bed.
1. Winter-flowering violas
Some blooms, like winter-flowering violas, are perfect for planting this month(Image: Getty)
These sturdy and resilient flowers can withstand throughout autumn, continuing to bloom even when the weather becomes colder. Despite their delicate appearance, they’re incredibly hardy, according to the Express, reports the Mirror.
They require minimal care to thrive, and their vibrant purple and orange hues make them a brilliant addition to an autumnal garden. If you plant in August, you can anticipate blossoms to emerge within two to three weeks. Thompson & Morgan sells a Viola Most Scented mix with 24 plug plants for £9.99, while Suttons sell a Waterfall Mix for the same price.
2. Asters
Aster flowers are also great for autumn planting(Image: Getty)
These stunning daisy-like flowers come in a myriad of colours, and they can also endure in cooler temperatures. In the UK, they can survive throughout the colder months if planted in well-draining soil. The Aster amellus ‘Rudolf Goethe’, £17.99, variety from Thompson & Morgan flowers through October with the right conditions.
The Aster × Frikartii Mönch from Primrose.co.uk also flowers through to October and starts at £7.19. Their vibrant purple and pink shades are perfect for adding a burst of colour to your garden in the autumn, and they also serve as a magnet for pollinators and provide a food source for birds and insects when sustenance is somewhat scarce.
3. Fuchsia
These striking reddish-pink flowers with drooping petals can last well into autumn if properly cared for. The gardening experts at The Spruce recommend planting them when they’re already blooming, especially if you’re doing it this late in the year.
This is because they sometimes don’t flower during their first year if you sow them from seed. They also require a bit more watering at this time of the year to support their growth. Dobies.co.uk sells a variety that will flower into September, including Lady Thumb from £9.99 and Alice Hoffman from £19.99. A gardener who bought the Alice Hoffman variety said: “Gorgeous plants, healthy every time, can’t wait for next season to come.”
4. Penstemons
Abelia x Grandiflora is another excellent choice for autumn planting (Image: Getty Images/iStockphoto)
If you’re searching for a plant with a long flowering season, then penstemons are an excellent choice. They feature beautiful foxglove-like flowers and even evergreen foliage during the winter months.
If you plant penstemons when they’re already in full bloom, they will add a splash of colour to your garden, and tend to last until the first frost. However, it’s vital to prune them hard during autumn too, to protect them over winter – a negative to consider if you’re looking for a plant that requires no maintenance at all.
Penstemon Garnet from Thompson and Morgan starts at £19.99 and flowers through to October, providing a brilliant pop of colour in any garden. One shopper who bought it said: “Its a beautiful plant with lots of buds.”
5. Abelia Grandiflora
Finally, this semi-evergreen shrub features glossy leaves and delicate pink flowers that endure well into the autumn months. The Royal Horticultural Society has labelled this plant as ‘very easy to grow’, requiring a sheltered yet sunny spot, so there’s still an opportunity to get them planted before the cold sets in.
Gardening Express currently has a deal where shoppers can save £5 on the Abelia Grandiflora, making it £12.99 instead of £17.99. The brand says: “In summer it produces masses of small, fragrant, pink-flushed, bell-shaped flowers all over the arching branches, these continue throughout the summer and well in to Autumn. For best results, plant in full sun in moist but well-drained soil.”
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