Cassie King from British Garden Centres explains how to extend the season with these plucky perennial planting ideas
Perennials are the backbone of a low-maintenance and impactful garden. These reliable plants return year after year, often increasing in size and splendour and some, such as these outlined, also 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.
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
A quintessential plant of autumn, they can transform garden 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
This is aversatile 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
Itsdelicate, 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.
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About British Garden Centres
(BGC) is the UK’s largest family-owned garden centre group with 62 centres around the country. The group is owned and led by The Stubbs family, who also own and operate Woodthorpe Leisure Park in Lincolnshire. www.britishgardencentres.com
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