Autumn for many gardeners is the most difficult season. The beautifully floriferous garden of summertime is fading, some perennials are starting to yellow and die back, and yet the potential for the garden is not yet over for the year. So what is gorgeous in the garden now giving colour and form in October and November?

Sedum

Sedum is great for late autumn colour and although it has been renamed Hylotelephium, most gardeners will still refer to it as Sedum.

It should be planted in full sun if possible but will tolerate some shade.

Sedum prefers poor, dry soils and is very drought tolerant but will thrive in almost any soil that does not get waterlogged.

Nerine

Nerine has long-lasting, lily-like flowers which bloom in late autumn in pinks, reds, and whites, growing from bulbs. Nerines make great cut flowers.

Most nerine plants are tender and in Scotland need to be grown in a greenhouse, but Nerine bowdenii can be grown outside in a sunny border and covered with a thick layer of mulch in winter. 

Alstroemeria

Alstroemeria, coming in a wide range of colours, is another great addition to the late autumn garden with its distinctive almost tiger-like markings. They originate from South America and are often called the ‘Lily of the Incas’ even though they are not actually a lily plant. Alstroemeria is a tuberous perennial and likes a free draining soil.

Salvia Amistad

A garden favourite is Salvia ‘Amistad’, which can give outstanding colour right through until November. Salvia ‘Amistad’ is a bushy, upright perennial with rich, royal purple flowers and it is a sun lover. It can be grown in borders or pots and well-drained soil in full sun. Although a perennial, a wet, soggy, Scottish winter can kill it off so the choice is either to dig it up and keep it protected during winter or leave it in the ground but protect the roots and basal buds by covering in a thick layer of compost or bark chippings. 

Astrantia

In a more shaded area, Astrantia thrives in woodland, shaded, and partial shaded areas and they like a moist, fertile soil. The name Astrantia derives from the Latin word ‘aster’ meaning ‘star’, which refers to the plant’s star-shaped floral bracts. They will flower for a long period, right up until the end of October, if planted in a cool spot. And like other perennials, once they get established, they will gradually spread.

Hardy Geraniums

It is very hard to overlook hardy geraniums in the garden for staying power. Geranium ‘Rozanne’ has been in flower since May, providing colour, interest, and much welcome ground cover and will keep on blooming right into November.

Chrysanthemum

Chrysanthemum, commonly known as ‘mums’, adds a vibrant blast of colour to the late autumn garden in shades of oranges, reds, yellows, purples, pinks, and whites. They will continue to bloom right up until the first frosts. As Chrysanthemum is the birth flower of the month of November, it is an ideal flower to bring some colour to your garden in November.