According to one gardener, there are plenty of flowers that enjoy the cooler, wetter conditions of autumn – and that are perfect to sow in September for a beautiful late bloom
Garden enthusiasts traditionally rely on the sun to kick-start their seed sowing, but some plants thrive better in cooler, damper conditions.
As we head into autumn, gardening expert Niall McCauley says these crops are perfect for sowing and growing. The green-fingered guru has amassed a following of over 40,200 subscribers on YouTube, where he shares his top tips. With so many options from seeds to flowers and edibles, deciding what to plant in September can be daunting.
But fear not, as the gardening expert has revealed his top three late-autumn flowering blooms.
Colchicums
“These amazing pink flowers are called colchicums – or the autumn crocus,” explained the gardener, pointing out the captivating display of cup-shaped flowers.
These baby pink beauties start blooming in September and continue until November, depending on the species. “You know how crocuses appear in late winter, early spring? And the flower pushes through the ground first and then opens? Colchicums do just the same,” McCauley said.
Echinacea
This perennial flowering plant is a favourite among gardeners for its ease of growth and vibrant colour. Speaking to gardening enthusiasts, McCauley pointed out some blooming insights: “This is going to keep on flowering into the autumn,” he remarked. “Although it’s already been flowering for a while this is going to keep on flowering into autumn.”
He elaborated on the seasonal shifts, saying: “As the summer shifts into autumn, it’s great to have proper long-lasting flowers for two main reasons.” McCauley didn’t just focus on aesthetics when he noted the flower’s ability to “look nice” and its role in adding splashes of colour to gardens, but he also highlighted their importance as pollinators.
“It’s a nice compact plant so it doesn’t take up too much room, and that means it will also equally work well in a container.”
Verbena Bonariensis
Moving to his next recommendation, McCauley described the Verbena Bonariensis as a “tough, easy-to-grow perennial”.
Admiring Verbena’s allure, he cited its purple clusters starting in mid-summer and lasting until the first frost, asserting their power to attract pollinators.
To finish, McCauley gave advice to resist gardeners pruning instincts in colder seasons: “Come the winter, when this plant dies back, its structure is still strong and is tough enough to stay intact through the winter. So don’t be tempted to cut it back when you’re doing that winter tidy-up.”