Autumn borders

Aster la vista!

These cheerful late summer daisies mix well with other plants in most sunny borders. They are a real boon through the early autumn days - and not just for us. As the other flowering plants dwindle, Asters provide a vital source of nectar for butterflies and bees. The larger flower heads make great landing pads for larger insects and their mass of blooms means that they can stock up in one visit and don’t have to waste energy flying from flower to flower.

Now you Sedum

The flowers of Sedum spectabile are a magnet for butterflies and bees at this time of the year.  They are a great addition to the front of the border and will provide long lasting colour right through the autumn, as the nectar-packed flowers fade into attractive seed heads in shades of russet and bronze. They are easy to care for and will put up with many situations, but given a choice they’d prefer sunshine and free draining conditions.

Dahlia daze

Just when many of the other flowers are fading, Dahlias are still in full swing, providing a  sumptuous late summer spectacle until the frosts - and if we have a glorious Indian summer that can mean several more weeks of beautiful blooms.  Dahlias are greedy plants and need rich, well drained compost. Dead head them regularly to keep the flowers coming and then, once the frost has cut them back, lift and store the tender tubers somewhere frost free for the winter.