Revitalise Your Garden This Late Summer
As summer begins to wane, there’s still plenty of time to inject life into your garden. Whether you have a sprawling lawn or a cosy balcony, these late summer gardening ideas will help you make the most of the season’s final flourish.
1. Embrace Small Plants for Big Impact
Compact plants like sedums, heucheras, and dwarf grasses are perfect for adding texture and colour without overwhelming limited spaces. Their resilience makes them ideal for late-season planting.
2. Create a Bulb Lasagne for Spring Blooms
Layering bulbs in pots—known as a ‘bulb lasagne’—ensures a staggered bloom next spring. Start with late-flowering varieties at the bottom and early bloomers on top for continuous colour.
3. Add Pops of Colour with Annuals
Fast-growing annuals like marigolds and petunias can quickly fill gaps in borders or containers, providing vibrant hues well into autumn.
4. Refresh Containers with Seasonal Foliage
Swap tired summer plants for autumn-ready options like ornamental cabbages or pansies. Their hardy nature ensures longevity as temperatures drop.
5. Incorporate Evergreens for Year-Round Structure
Boxwoods or ivy provide greenery even in winter, acting as a backbone for seasonal displays.
6. Utilise Vertical Space with Climbers
Climbing plants like clematis or jasmine maximise space while adding height and fragrance.
7. Plant Late-Flowering Perennials
Japanese anemones or asters thrive in late summer, bridging the gap between seasons.
8. Mulch to Retain Moisture
A layer of mulch helps soil retain water during drier spells and suppresses weeds.
9. Attract Pollinators with Bee-Friendly Blooms
Lavender and echinacea are magnets for bees, supporting local ecosystems.
10. Plan Ahead with Autumn Bulbs
Plant autumn crocuses or colchicums now for unexpected bursts of colour later in the year.
With these tips, your garden can remain a vibrant sanctuary long after summer’s peak.
