But there’s still lots to do…
In partnership with Claire Jones Gardens
- Apply a lawn feed high in in potassium to toughen up grass for the winter, this is best done after scarifying and aerating.
- Autumn is a great time to divide clumps of summer flowering perennials, unless the ground is very wet in which case wait until spring.
- Order your bulbs now so that you can look forward to beautiful displays in the spring. Narcissus (Daffodils) are best planted as early in the season as possible. Tulips can be planted as late as December as long as the ground is not frozen, they won’t start to put roots down until the temperature has dropped.
- If you haven’t done it already deadhead and lightly clip your Lavender, avoid cutting into woody stems as they will not regenerate reliably.
- Apply Vine Weevil control to pots if they show telltale signs of notched leaf margins.
- Sow hardy annuals such as Ammi, Cornflowers and Cerinthe.
- Collect ripe seed from your favourite flowers and store in labelled envelopes ready to sow in the spring.
- Plant a container for autumn interest using Cyclamen, Heathers, Heucheras and colourful bedding.
- Plant evergreen shrubs and conifers while the soil is still warm.
- Reduce the height of shrub roses to reduce wind rock damage through the winter.
- Plant Wallflowers, Pansies and Forget-me-not and underplant with bulbs for a blast of Spring colour next year.
- Move tender plants into a greenhouse or conservatory.
Plant of the season – Japanese Anemone
These tall, elegant perennials flower in late summer and early autumn just as other plants are startingng to fade, so useful for keeping summer going just that bit longer. Despite the name they are actually native to China but have been cultivated in Japan for hundreds of years. Open blooms in pink or white float on tall stems, above attractive foliage. They are loved by bees and other pollinators. Well suited to many styles of garden, they thrive in partially shaded spots. They will tolerate full sun but prefer a moisture retentive soil so its best to add plenty of organic matter when planting and mulch annually in the spring. Avoid planting in areas that become waterlogged in winter.
They are easy to grow and low maintenance, when their flowers fade they develop small round fluffy seedheads, which are a popular food source for little birds like Goldfinches. Once the birds have had their fill and the flower stems start to look untidy, cut them back to ground level. In spring tidy up dead leaves and stalks during March. They have a tendency to spread if they are happy, but can be easily kept under control by lifting and dividing larger clumps in the spring or autumn. Pictured here is one of my favourites, Anemone x hybrida ‘Honorine Jobert’, brilliant for brightening a semi shaded area of garden.
