After a very dry summer, the shift into autumn has been the welcome change that many plants (and gardeners!) have been waiting for.
The cooler temperature and much-needed rain we have experienced over the past few weeks has ushered in a new season of interest in the garden and although summer may now be over, there is still much to be celebrated.
In fact, many perennials don’t reach their peak until around early to mid-autumn, providing gorgeous autumnal colours that dazzle and excite in the autumn light.
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Recommended top 5 perennials to plant this autumn
- Asters
Asters are the stars of the autumn border producing masses of gorgeous daisy-type flowers in a variety of vibrant shades of blue, pink, or white. Flowering long after many other perennials have faded, Asters are great for pollinators too and a choice of tall and dwarf varieties are available.
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Aster xf. 'Wunder von Stafa'
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Aster ageratoides 'Starshine' PBR
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Aster novi-belgii 'Starlight' (dwarf)
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Aster nb. 'Marie Ballard'
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Aster sedifolius
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Aster amellus 'Veilchenkonigin'
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- Sedums
Adored by bees and butterflies, Sedums provide an essential source of nectar for pollinators later in the season. These hardy, low maintenance, drought tolerant succulents are super easy to grow and are great for coping with our changing climate and drier, hotter summers.
Sedums are available in various shades of pink, red, or white, as well as a variety of habits, such as tall uprights, to low creeping varieties.
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Sedum spurium 'Dragon’s Blood' |
Sedum 'Herbstfreude' |
- Schizostylis
Flowering later in the season, Schizostylis a perfect for adding a splash of colour to the garden in autumn. Their bright, vibrant flowers come in various shades of red, pink and pale pink and continue until the first frosts. In addition to their striking flowers, their grass like leaves also add structure, movement and interest to borders.
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Schizostylis c. 'Major' |
Schizostylis c. 'Wilfred H. Bryant' |
- Rudbeckia
Rudbeckias are best enjoyed planted en-masse, when their cheery daisy-like flowers will brighten up even the gloomiest of autumn days!
If left, the seed heads will also add interest throughout the winter, as well as providing a valuable source of food for birds, such as Goldfinches and other finches.
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Rudbeckia fulgida deamii |
- Grasses
Many grasses are also at their very best in autumn, adding valuable structure, interest and atmosphere. Their beauty in the autumn garden can cover everything from movement and sound as they rustle and dance in an autumn breeze, to other points of interest such as colour and texture. Or even dramatic silhouettes against the setting autumn sun!
Excellent grasses to grow for autumn interest include Molinia, Miscanthus, and Panicum.
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Miscanthus s. 'Malepartus'
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Panicum virgatum 'Northwind'
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Panicum virgatum 'Warrior'
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Molinia caerulea 'Windspiel'
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Molinia caerulea 'Transparent'
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Panicum virgatum 'Dallas Blues'
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