Autumn does not mean the end of colour in the garden. With the right plants and planting combinations, your outdoor space can become even more vibrant as the season progresses.
Look for plants that offer autumn interest through flowers, foliage such as Acer calmatum (Japanese Maple) or Callicarpa bodinieri (beautyberry) for vivid purple berries and texture. Combining different colours and forms can create displays that remain attractive well into the cooler months.
Seasonal bedding plants are an easy way to refresh containers, window boxes and borders. Combine flowering plants like pansies, petunias and geraniums with foliage plants such as Dusty Miller to create displays with plenty of contrast and depth.
Think about combining complementary shades rather than relying on a single colour. Rich reds and burgundies work beautifully alongside golden yellows, while purple and plum tones create a sophisticated autumn palette.
Ornamental grasses are another excellent choice for adding seasonal movement. Their fine foliage and seedheads catch the light beautifully, while their warm tones complement the changing colours around them.
For longer-lasting interest, consider planting shrubs and trees that provide spectacular autumn foliage. Acers, for example, can produce striking shades of red, orange and yellow, while other trees and shrubs offer berries or colourful stems that continue to provide interest after the leaves have fallen.
Refresh Your Containers
Containers are one of the simplest ways to introduce an instant burst of autumn colour.
If your summer displays are beginning to fade, replace tired plants with combinations suited to cooler weather. Consider using a mixture of flowering plants, ornamental grasses and foliage plants to create displays with varying heights and textures.
Don’t be afraid to experiment with colour. Autumn planting gives you the opportunity to move away from the lighter shades of summer and introduce deeper, more dramatic tones.
For the best results, choose plants with similar light and watering requirements and make sure containers have adequate drainage.
Plant Spring Bulbs Now for Colour Later
While enjoying the vibrant colours of autumn, September is also the time to think ahead to spring.
Spring-flowering bulbs are best planted during autumn, giving them time to establish their roots before winter. Planting bulbs such as daffodils, tulips, crocuses, hyacinths and alliums now, can reward you with a welcome display of colour when the garden emerges from winter.
Bulbs can be planted directly into borders, naturalised through lawns or grouped together in containers for a more concentrated display.
When choosing bulbs, think about creating a succession of colour rather than having everything flower at once. Early flowering varieties can provide the first signs of spring, followed by mid and late-season bulbs for a longer-lasting display.
For a natural look, plant bulbs in informal groups rather than rigid rows. In borders, consider planting them among perennials and shrubs so that the emerging foliage and flowers complement the existing planting.
Always follow the planting depth and spacing recommendations on the packaging and choose a well-drained position to help prevent bulbs from sitting in water during wetter months.
The beauty of spring bulbs is that the work begins now, but the reward arrives months later. We have a full range of spring bulbs in stock.
