Four flowers to plant now for a beautiful autumn garden

Autumn is just around the corner and there are ways to bring some vibrant colour into your garden this season – here is what the experts recommendThis article contains affiliate links, we will receive a commission on any sales we generate from it. Learn moreRed, purple and pink cyclamen look stunning in bright pots (Image: Westend61 via Getty Images)

While summer blooms may continue to flourish in September, gardeners can begin preparing to introduce some autumnal hues to their outdoor spaces, ahead of the seasonal change, reports the Express.

But which ones to choose?

Luckily, gardening specialist Lucie Bradley from family-run gardening tools supplier Two Wests and Elliott has suggested her pick of the best flowers to plant now that will deliver a “gorgeous” autumn spectacle.

Lucie stated: “Hardy chrysanthemums can be used for hanging baskets, but stick to the miniature varieties. There is usually a huge range of colours to choose from.

“Hardy cyclamen are perfect for adding a touch of colour with their healthy green leaves, slim stems and bold blooms.”

The specialist noted they’re available in shades such as white, pink and red, ideal for injecting vibrancy into your autumn garden display.

Primroses also make an excellent selection, as they flourish in confined areas whilst delivering impact through their vivid tones.

Primrose is a gorgeous addition to any garden(Image: Olga Chetvergova via Getty Images)

Lucie continued: “Winter heathers flower through winter, adding a touch of colour and texture to your basket.”

To create visual interest and varying textures, gardeners should consider incorporating some leafy plants into their arrangements as well. The horticultural expert suggested ivies, cineraria, heuchera and decorative cabbages and grasses for this purpose.

Beyond planting for autumn colour, gardeners may also begin sowing varieties for early spring displays.

Lucie elaborated: “Depending on which part of the UK you live in and what you are sowing, the weather can affect whether you can sow hardy annuals directly into the ground or start them off in a greenhouse or cold frame.”

Hardy annuals such as cornflowers, lupin, salvia and larkspur can be planted straight into the garden.

Plant cornflowers now for a beautiful display next spring (Image: romiri via Getty Images)

She also suggested planting candytuft, cerinthe, clary, and California poppy.

Lucie added: “Success at sowing directly into the ground is very weather-dependent, but it does result in big, strong plants in spring that have developed a healthy root system.

“Use garden fleece or cloches to protect plants from cold weather spells.”