Gardeners are being encouraged to plant five specific flowers before the end of August to ensure a vibrant display of autumn colour. Horticultural expert Jane Fairlie, who has collaborated with Redrow, recommends these varieties for their stunning hues and ease of care.
Planting now gives new specimens time to establish their root systems before cold weather and frost arrive. The plants are relatively undemanding, requiring little more than watering and deadheading to thrive.
Primroses and Polyanthus
Jane said: "Primroses and polyanthus are herbaceous perennials which can be grown in full sun or partial shade, in a variety of situations. They need moist, fertile soil which drains well, so if the soil is heavy in the garden, consider planting them into containers or raised beds where compost can be used instead."
For those planting now, Jane advised doing so in late August or early September, as this allows plants sufficient time to develop their root systems before cooler temperatures arrive. She added: "In spring, the flowers are bright and colourful, with shades of yellow, red, purple, white and even variegated. Remove dead flowers to promote continual flowering throughout the seasons."
Bellis Daisies and Pansies
For a straightforward option, the horticultural specialist suggested bellis daisies, which can offer structure throughout autumn before producing blooms in spring. Jane said: "Bellis daisies are evergreen perennial plants which can be grown in all well-drained soil types, in beds, borders and pots. Full sun or partial shade is ideal for these plants, which grow in clumps in autumn and flower in spring."
Choose plug plants to help them establish quickly, and remove dead flowers during flowering to promote more flowers for longer. They can also be lifted, divided after flowering, and replanted elsewhere in the garden.
For "reliable" colour through the colder months when little else is in bloom, pansies and violas are an excellent choice. Jane explained: "Pansies and violas are the more traditional autumn through to spring colour as they are very hardy and withstand cooler weather conditions." Suitable for beds and borders, containers or hanging baskets, trailing varieties also perform particularly well in baskets. She added: "They can be grown in hanging baskets, containers or in beds and borders for winter-long colour due to excellent winter hardiness." To keep the blooms coming, it is vital to deadhead spent flowers in order to stimulate fresh growth.
For all three options, the gardening expert recommended light watering during dry spells and removing dead flowers, which helps encourage further flowering.
