Just as you’re clocking off work and preparing to lie in the heat for the bank holiday, you head into the garden and realise it feels past its best. Are you experiencing lacklustre and wilting plants, without the bright, floral blooms you were hoping for? This is known as the later-summer colour gap. Buds pop up in spring and flower over the following months, but tend to be over by July, creating a pause in August.
‘As our summers get longer and the first frosts arrive later, this leaves quite a long gap before we get to enjoy the colours of autumn,’ explains gardening expert and presenter Dan Cooper. ‘It’s not usual for gardens to suffer from burnout by the end of summer. A combination of high temperatures, strong winds and low rainfall can leave plants looking tired and dull. This year, in particular, drought has caused leaves to drop prematurely and berries to ripen early.’
So, what can you do to cheer up a slightly sad-looking garden to get the most out of it for the end of the summer? Well, says Dan, it’s best to start with the basics and that even simple clear-up tasks can make a big difference.
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‘Mow the lawn, cut the hedges and areas of long grass, gather up fallen leaves and deadhead faded flowers,’ he says. ‘Cut back any perennials that have bloomed and which don’t have attractive seed heads that you’ll want to keep for winter. If windy weather is forecast, make sure taller plants such as sunflowers are well staked.’
6 flowering plants for summer
And if you’re looking to bed in some bright new blooms, Dan has six recommendations to plug that colour gap this August and see you through the rest of summer.
Verbena bonariensis
Dan recommends this slender perennial for borders where you don’t want to block a view, or for dotting among other flowers in the grass. ‘They’re drought-tolerant and grow in any soil. Will self-seed, but extras are always welcome!’ he says.
Oenothera lindheimeri
These stems are covered in little white or pink flowers and are a delicate addition to the garden. ‘Allowing it to flop over early-flowering perennials is a good way to disguise plants you’ve already cut back. It’s drought-tolerant and prefers a light, well-drained soil,’ advises Dan.
Rudbeckia fulgida ‘Goldsturm’
‘This handsome coneflower will produce a dazzling display of deep yellow flowers with a characteristic dark eye from the end of July until the end of September,’ says Dan, describing the flower as ‘pure joy’. This is a good one for most areas as it should grow in any soil as long as it has plenty of sun.
Salvia ‘Amistad’
Great for back borders or big pots, this purple and black bloom is capable of surviving frosts and could even see you through until Christmas. ‘It grows best in a sheltered spot and should be protected from cold and wet over winter. Bees love it. Plant with hot pink cosmos and bright orange cannas for a dramatic autumn statement,’ says Dan.
Anemone japonica ‘Honorine Jobert’
Guilty of a little garden neglect? This could be the choice for you. ‘Japanese anemones are stalwarts of the late summer garden, flowering for months, easy to grow and tough as old boots, which is why they prosper in even the most neglected gardens,’ says Dan.
Miscanthus sinensis ‘Ferner Osten’
Not everything in the garden needs to flower. ‘Grasses, while not producing big, blousy flowers, bring texture, form, grace and movement to the late summer garden,’ says Dan. If you’re looking for something a little loftier, these grassy stems can reach up to a metre and a half in height. ‘They’re topped with a tassle-like plume that begins deep red, before fading to pink and then silver. The stems can be left in situ until late winter/early spring and look magical rhymed with frost,’ says Dan. ‘It’s very hardy and wind resistant, but needs full sun.’