Grow for it this autumn

Every garden centre should have plenty of plants in bloom, including the reds, yellows and oranges of perennial rudbeckias, echinacea and helenium and a wide variety of Michaelmas daisies (Aster Novi-belgii) that vary in colour from blue, through purples to pink and red.

Autumn is also nature's best time for planting shrubs and trees.

The cooler temperatures above ground mean that shoots, stems and leaves all stop growing – whereas, below ground, the soil temperature stays warm enough to encourage the spread and growth of roots. If you aim to finish your planting by the end of October, your new plants will be well established before winter sets in. Plant new roses, shrubs and trees while the soil is still warm. For coloured berries and winter colour, consider cotoneaster, pyracantha and callicarpa.

For winter and early spring colour, look to viburnum, mahonia, camellia and forsythia.

Summer flowers are easily available from shrubs including mock orange (philadelphus), potentilla and ceanothus.

Autumn colour using buddleia, hebes, hypericum and hibiscus should be considered.

To prepare soil for planting, add plenty of compost or well-rotted manure to encourage plants to root quickly.

YP MAG 14/8/10