Shutterstock / Bildagentur Zoonar GmbH©As the surprisingly warm weather is finally coming to an end, many of us are pleased to see the world turning a host of rich autumnal colours.
For the green-fingered , the change is particularly exciting. This means a complete overhaul of gardening – the plants, the colours, the techniques all completely shift with the colder months.
To inject some autumnal spirit into your back garden, experts at The Greenhouse People have listed their favourite colourful plants, perfect for the upcoming months.
Photograph courtesy of the DC Thomson Shop.
Beautyberry (callicarpa)
Aptly named, this plant will brighten up your garden with its breath-taking purple hue. Callicarpa is known for its bright violet colour, and jewel-like appearance, with the small berries growing in a cluster.
The berries flourish in autumn, so to maximise results grow them in perfectly moist soil. Make sure their spot in your garden gets plenty of sun and watch them come into their own.
These beautiful little pops of colour look amazing amongst additional shrubbery and plants, and can even make perfect additions to homemade bouquets, as their angular stems and vibrant shade create a rustic, bohemian appearance.
You can pick out some callicarpa at the DC Thomson Shop by following this link.
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Chrysanthemums
These quirky flowers bloom in autumn/winter, but they struggle to survive in particularly severe weather conditions.
Winterizing them is essential to their growth, so be sure to water them deeply in late autumn, layer their roots with lots of protective compost and resist pruning them too close to the AW season – their uncut layers act as a sort of winter coat.
You’re not limited to colour with chrysanthemums either, blooming in autumnal shades of orange, yellow, purple or red. Choose your favourite colour to add a pop of brightness amongst your year-round plants.
Photograph courtesy of the DC Thomson Shop.
Autumn joy (sedum/hylotelephium)
Despite their name, Sedum can often be found flourishing more in the summer months. However, it’s classic bright pink shade can usually fade to a richer crimson by autumn – the perfect addition to your autumnal garden palette.
Sedum can be split into two categories, organised by their growth patterns: low-growing and upright. You may have guessed it, but low growing tends to stay close to the ground and only gain a few inches in height, whereas upright shoots up into tall clumps of blooms.
For the best results, plant the bulbs in spring in average but well-drained soil. Find a sunny spot in the garden to get the best results from your sedum plant.
You can find your next sedum at the DC Thomson Shop by following this link.
Photograph courtesy of the DC Thomson Shop.
Aster (little carlow)
A stunning colour all year round, these lavender blooms will be the optimum palette cleanser for the orange and red hue of the rest of your garden. Their blue shade will see you into the frosty winter mornings perfectly.
Asters come alive in the evening light, so keep your eyes out for their moonlit glow to truly appreciate their beauty.
For the best growth, plant them in a spot with plenty of sunlight in well-drained soil.
Browse the DC Thomson Shop for aster plants by following this link.
Photograph courtesy of the DC Thomson Shop.
Winter aconite (eranthis)
If you want to brighten up your garden on those dull winter days, add some Winter Aconite into your garden. A sister plant of the glowing buttercup, this yellow flower will fit right in amongst the browning trees and inject some cheer into any grey weather.
These reach their prime in autumn and winter, so get planting now. Winter Aconite, or Eranthis, grow best in moist but well-drained soil and with partial shade.
If your bright little plants need a helping hand, collect the fallen seeds and re-scatter them by hand to push them in the right direction.
Our colleagues at the DC Thomson Shop have some eranthis you can add to your garden. Click here to take a look.
For more gardening tips from “The People’s Friend”, click here.
Iain McDonald I am the Digital Content Editor at the “Friend”, making me responsible for managing the flow of interesting and entertaining content on the magazine’s website and social media channels.
