Late summer colour

 Nothing says late summer like Chysanthemums and Dahlias! These Chrysanthemum beauties from Frank Charlton really knock you out with a visual punch, though many of us would struggle to grow them to such perfection. As cut flowers they are superb, looking good for ages. The downside is that some of them are not very hardy, but if you love the flowers, you will learn their ways!

Sticking with hot colours, Bluebell Nursery's stand at Southport flower show, had some wonderfull Rudbeckia fulgida plants (The yellow daisies with the brown eye). These are hardy in most parts of Britain, though check with the grower before buying! 
The daisy family often flowers well at this time of year, including Inulas, Asters (softer colours usually), Echinanceas. Leucanthemums etc. They are a group of flowers well worth getting to know, as they are generally easy to grow, and perennial.

 Gladioli are  Marmite flowers (you either love them or hate them), as far as I am concerned; but as you can see the range of colours available these days is phenomenal. Sometimes they are not fully hardy - you may have to lift them over winter if your soil is too heavy. 
There are also small species Gladioli which are a little more delicate, and less in your face!

Crocosmias (Monbretia) always provide a splash of colour at this time of year. Their colours range from yellow through orange to the deep red of the aptly named 'Lucifer'. There are also some bi-colours, and the plant breeders are working hard to introduce a broader range of colour, with perhaps (?)some pastels in the future. Some of the taller varieties need staking, and in some gardens they bulk up quite quickly. However, as these are no problems, plant and forget plants, we feel that digging up the excess to fill in odd gaps might be considered a virtue by some (like me!).

These beauties were on the Holden Clough Nursery stand. This nursery went through a bit of a dip back in the nineties (in the author's opinion). It is now back as a tip-top nursery, winning a cup for this display which was, quite simply, excellent. 

And let's not forget the Veggie garden, which can deliver some really exciting colours at this time of the year. Robinson's are famous for their 'Mammoth Onion seeds', which frequently win 1st prizes at Country Shows and Fairs throughout the land. But their range of seeds is not restricted to Onions. Their range of pepper seeds is impressive in its variety, from the traditional Bell Pepper through some newly introduced varieties, to the spiciest of red hot chillies! If you are in any doubt, the Robinson Family seem to be always happy to give advice.

And they are a Northern success story - they grow their seeds at their home in Forton, just south of Lancaster, and have being doing so for generations.

 In case you were thinking that only fully saturated, primary colours were available for your delectation at this time of year, fear not! There are plenty of muted colours to enjoy at this time of the year. The range of Agapanthus colours has not been extended from the classic mid-blue and white forms, through to bi-coloured, deep purples and even a miniature mauve- pink.
They have survived in my garden for many years, which has quite heavy clay/loam, but with a mulch of autumn leaves. This seems to be enough protection in coastal areas, but my need something more if you get deep prolonged frosts over winter.

This is a group of plants that never fails to please.

I grew some Ligtu hybrid Alstromerias many years ago. They didn't survive in my wettish clay/loam, but I believe these modern hybrids are a bit more forgiving and are less invasive. Many of the new shorter varieties are supposed to be ideal for pots, and the colour range and flower quality is quite exceptional. As you may have gathered, I'm giving them another go this year. I'll let you know how I get on!

There are many plants which can brighten up a late summer garden. Choose your palate and then get researching. Happy Gardening.

Bernadette