How to achieve late summer brilliance with British Garden Centres

As the summer days begin to wane, there’s no need for your garden to follow suit. Late summer is a magical time when many plants come into their own, offering a stunning display of colour and texture. Your local British Garden Centres store has all the plant options you need to extend your garden’s beauty well into autumn.  

Perennials into autumn

Perennials are the backbone of a low-maintenance and impactful garden. These reliable plants return year after year, often increasing in size and splendour. Several varieties offer exceptional late summer colours:

Sedum: These sturdy succulents offer a wide range of colours, from soft pinks to fiery reds. They are particularly popular for their late-season blooms and attractive foliage.   Beyond its autumn beauty, sedum offers bees a late-season feast by supporting pollinators and wildlife. Its low-maintenance nature, drought tolerance, and versatility make them practical additions to any garden, from rock gardens to containers.

Asters: Available in a plethora of colours and sizes, asters are a must-have for late summer and into autumn. Their daisy-like blooms add life and movement to your garden.   From purple and blue to pink and white, these hardy perennials are a must-have for any flower lover for the last half of the year. They attract pollinators with their abundant nectar and add a touch of elegance to borders, cottage gardens, and wildflower meadows.

Chrysanthemums: Often associated with autumn, chrysanthemums come in countless varieties, from classic pom-poms to elegant spiders. Their blooming period coincides with the cooler months, making them a cherished addition to any autumn outdoor space. Chrysanthemums are not only visually stunning but also offer a valuable food source for pollinators during this crucial time. Whether planted in beds, borders, or containers, these versatile flowers are a must-have for anyone seeking to extend the gardening season. They offer a vibrant finish to the gardening year.

Heather:  Heather is a quintessential plant of autumn, transforming landscapes into a vibrant tapestry of purple, pink and white hues. Its delicate flowers create a stunning contrast against the golden leaves of other plants, making it a popular choice for gardens, moorlands, and floral arrangements. Beyond its beauty, heather provides valuable habitat for wildlife and helps to prevent soil erosion.

Verbena: Verbena is a versatile plant that can extend its vibrant display into autumn. With a range of colours from pink and purple to red and white, it adds a cheerful touch to containers and borders. Whether you’re looking to brighten your patio or create a colourful edge, verbena can be a delightful addition to your autumn garden. Its tall stems topped with clusters of tiny flowers create a delicate, airy effect and pollinating insects love them.

Cyclamen’s: Cyclamen’s delicate, upturned blooms in soft pinks, purples, and whites offer a captivating contrast to and provide bright colour as other summer plants start to fade. As temperatures drop and days shorten, cyclamen thrive, bringing their beauty to gardens, patios, and indoor spaces. Their ability to withstand cooler conditions makes them a popular choice for extending the gardening season well into autumn and beyond.

Pansy and Viola: Both pansies and violas are the quintessential flowers of autumn and winter. Their cheerful faces, adorned in a kaleidoscope of colours, brighten up the dullest days. These hardy plants are perfect for adding a splash of variety to gardens, containers, and window boxes. Pansies boast larger blooms with distinctive faces, while violas offer smaller, more abundant flowers. Both thrive in cool temperatures, making them ideal for extending the gardening season.

Skimmia: Skimmia is an evergreen shrub that shines during the autumn and winter months. Its vibrant red berries, provide a striking contrast against the glossy green foliage. Many varieties develop colourful flower buds in winter, adding further interest as the days begin to get darker. Skimmia’s low-maintenance nature and year-round appeal make it a valuable asset to any garden.

Heucheras:  Heucheras are a masterpiece of colour with their foliage, transforming from vibrant greens and pinks in spring to stunning shades of red, orange, and purple as the seasons change. These versatile plants offer a range of leaf shapes and textures, making them perfect for adding depth and interest to your garden. Whether planted in borders, containers or as ground cover, heucheras bring a touch of magic to your outdoor space throughout the latter part of the year.

Ferns: Ferns add a touch of elegance and texture to autumn gardens. Their graceful fronds create a lush backdrop for other plants, and many varieties boast beautiful autumnal hues. From the coppery-red fronds of the Autumn Fern to the evergreen beauty of other species, ferns offer a versatile and low-maintenance way to enhance your outdoor space. Whether you prefer a woodland garden or a contemporary container, there’s a fern to suit every style at your local British Garden Centre.

Julian Palphramand, Head of Plants at British Garden Centres said: “Late summer is the perfect time to inject new life into your outdoor space. At British Garden Centres, we’re brimming with colourful plants to extend the growing season. From vibrant chrysanthemums to enchanting cyclamen, we have everything you need to create a stunning autumn display.”