As the days start to get shorter and the nights draw in, it’s time to start thinking about adding some autumn-flowering plants to your garden. These plants will help to keep your garden looking vibrant and colourful throughout the cooler months.
To help you know what to plant, we’ve put together a list of some of the best autumn-flowering plants for UK gardens. Some of these can be planted now for almost instant colour this autumn, for others you will need to plan ahead for next year. With a little planning, you can easily add some autumn-flowering plants to your garden and enjoy their beautiful blooms all season long.
Autumn Asters (now called Symphyotrichum) also known as Michaelmas daisies are a diverse group of perennial plants that come in a wide range of colours, including purple, blue, pink, and white. They are easy to grow and care for, and they will flower from late summer to early autumn. Try Symphyotrichum ‘Little Carlow’.
Chrysanthemums are another popular choice for autumn gardens. They come in a wide variety of colours and forms, and they can be grown as bedding plants, border plants or container plants and are of course popular cut flowers. Look for a late flowering, hardy variety such as Spartan Fire or Early Yellow for autumn colour.
Sedums (now called Hylotelephium) can be a great autumn plant. Autumn Joy, also known as Stonecrop is a popular sedum variety that is known for its bright red flowers. It is a clump-forming succulent that’s easy to grow and care for and it is drought-tolerant.
Liriope muscari is a hardy perennial that produces spikes of blue flowers in late summer and autumn and black berries throughout the winter months. It is also known as lily turf or monkey grass and it is a good choice for shady areas.
Leadwort (Ceratostigma plumbaginoides) is a hardy low-growing shrub that produces blue flowers in late summer and autumn. It is a good choice for rock gardens or borders.
Dahlias are one of the archetypal summer garden plants and well cared for Dahlias will keep your garden colourful through the autumn. Keep deadheading and feeding throughout the summer.
Colchicum autumnale (autumn crocus) are in fact despite appearances not related to crocus at all but part of the lily family. Plant bulbs directly in grass, under trees or at the front of borders. The flowers suddenly emerge as if from nowhere, prompting their other common name of naked ladies.
Japanese anemones will add a beautiful late splash of colour to any garden. They thrive in shade, cope with dry soil and work well in pots – making them the perfect choice for areas not in full sun. As a pollinator, Japanese anemones also provide crucial nectar and pollen, particularly to bumblebees.
Sternbergia lutea is variously known as the winter daffodil, autumn daffodil or lily-of-the-field and provides beautiful yellow flowers through November. Perfect if you’re starting late, bulbs can be planted in August and September. Plant in well-drained soil in a sunny, sheltered spot.
Nerine bowdenii will give you a wonderful autumn display of colour if you have the right location and conditions – such as a sunny, sheltered border. For best results grow Nerine bowdenii in well-drained soil in full sun, ideally sheltered by a south-or west-facing wall.
Considerations when choosing autumn-flowering plants:
When choosing autumn-flowering plants for your garden, it is important to consider the following factors:
🌞 Sunlight: Most autumn-flowering plants need full sun, but there are some that will tolerate partial shade.
🪴 Soil type: Most autumn-flowering plants prefer well-drained soil, but there are some that will tolerate moist soil.
🌾 Hardiness: Make sure to choose plants that are hardy in your area.
🧑🌾 Care level: Some autumn-flowering plants are low-maintenance, while others require more care.
Tips for caring for autumn-flowering plants:
💧 Water regularly, especially during dry spells.
🫗 Fertilise once a month with a balanced fertiliser.
🥀 Deadhead spent blooms to encourage new growth.
❄️ Protect from frost in cold areas.
With proper care, your autumn-flowering plants will reward you with a beautiful display of colour all season long.
We hope this blog post has inspired you to add some autumn-flowering plants to your garden. If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to contact us here at Genesis Gardens. We would be happy to help you choose the right plants for your needs.