Sow these eight perennials in August to enjoy a continual display of flowers until autumn's end
August Gardening: Planting Perennials for a Vibrant Autumn Display
As the summer months draw to a close, it's time to prepare the garden for a colourful autumn. August is an ideal time to plant various perennials that will bloom late into the season, attracting pollinators and providing a stunning display of autumn colours.
Thompson & Morgan offers the deep red flowers of Crocosmia 'Lucifer', priced at £9.99. These plants grow from corms, planted around 8cm deep like bulbs, and require fertile, moist but well-drained soil. Crocosmia come in a range of hot summer colours from orange to yellow and red, making them brilliant for providing autumn colour.
Asters, with their cheerful violet-purple daisy-like blooms, are another great choice. They prefer full sun and moist, well-drained soil. Tall varieties may need support, but they are easily divided for propagation.
Echinacea, or coneflowers, are reliable, low-maintenance perennials with big daisy-like flowers in pink, purple, or white. They attract butterflies and bees, thrive in sunny, well-drained soil, and can tolerate dry spells once established.
Japanese Anemone produces delicate, cherry blossom-like blooms from late summer into fall on tall stems. These plants prefer partial shade and are deer-resistant, adding elegant late-season interest.
Joe Pye Weed and rose mallow are also excellent choices. Joe Pye Weed, with its large clusters of dusky purple flowers, is great for butterfly gardens, while rose mallow offers exotic large blooms that last until the first frost.
Heleniums are another good choice for autumn planting, adding an abundance of colour to beds and borders. Taller varieties may benefit from staking.
Salvias are great August perennials to plant and produce spikes of deep, vibrant flowers that pollinators flock to. They prefer light, well-drained soil and once planted in a sunny spot sheltered from cold winds, they are pretty drought-tolerant and will thrive with very little effort.
Before planting perennials, prepare the soil first, removing any weeds and loosening the earth. Dig a hole as deep and wide as the plant's root ball, gently remove your plant from its container, and tease out any circling roots before placing it in the hole. Ensure the stem part of the plant is above the soil surface, then backfill with soil and pack down firmly before watering. Adding a layer of mulch will help retain moisture and suppress weeds.
When planting perennials, it's important to water them well and keep an eye on them for the next few weeks. Soil is still warm in August, which helps roots settle in quickly. If there's a late summer heatwave, adding a layer of mulch around the base can help retain moisture and protect the roots.
For best results, plant perennials in well-prepared soil with appropriate sunlight and moisture conditions to ensure strong autumn blooms. August is a great time to plant certain perennials for a colourful autumnal display. With careful planning and preparation, you can enjoy a vibrant and colourful garden long into the autumn months.
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