Create a gloriously vibrant autumn garden

Your autumn garden can still look beautiful, as long as you include some of the plants, shrubs and trees that will continue to flower right up until the frosty season.

Shady trees

Many small trees have brilliantly coloured leaves in autumn while others have coloured bark. Look out for cherries such as Prunus serrula for leaf and bark colour or Malus tschonoskii for brightly coloured leaves. The leaves of many Acers, such as ‘Osakazuki’, will become red, scarlet or golden, while those from the Ginkgo biloba change colour before dropping.

Rich shrubs

For a golden glow, go for shrubs, such as Hydrangea paniculata ‘Grandiflora’, which has yellow leaves in autumn. The Hydrangea serrata ‘Beni-gaku’ or ‘Rosalba’ take on crimson tints, while Cornus, such as sanguinea ‘Midwinter Fire’, has red stems with green leaves that turn purple in autumn. The Hibiscus syriacus ‘Woodbridge’, with its deep pink exotic flowers, is one of the last shrubs to come into leaf and is also the last to flower.

Fabulous flowers

Late-flowering Japanese anemones come in white and pink. Try ‘Alice’ or ‘Honorine Jobert’.

Tall sedums such as ‘Autumn Joy’ or spectabile ‘Brilliant’ will fl ower through the autumn.

Dahlias will continue to the first of the frosts, particularly if they’re
dead-headed regularly. After the first frost, dig up the tubers, dry and store for next year.

Chrysanthemums in deep, rich or faded subtle shades come in a variety of beautiful shapes, from shaggy headed to cactus spray. Like dahlias, they can be planted in large pots that can be moved into a conservatory to continue flowering into the winter months.

● Get out and see the best of the late summer flowers and harvest products at the Harrogate Autumn Flower Show, from 17-19 September (call 01423 561049 for tickets), and the Malvern Autumn Show, on 25 and 26 September (call 01684 584 924 for tickets.

You might also like...

Autumn in the garden Advice for the season