Favourite Autumn Flowers

Looks like summer is really over now. After some stormy weather the garden is looking a bit bedraggled. The temperature is dropping and the leaves are changing colour. There is still a lot of interest in the garden though and some of the late flowering plants continue to brighten things up. Three of my favourites are shown below.



Michaelmas Daisy (Aster novi-belgii) is a great perennial border plant which attracts butterflies. There are numerous varieties ranging in height from 9 inches to 4 feet. Colours range from white and pale pink through to deep rose reds, blues and amethyst-purple. I love the blues and purples. They are very easy to grow and will thrive in any fertile well drained soil which doesn't dry out in late summer and autumn when most of them flower. Plant between October and March. They do deteriorate after 2-3 years and should be divided regularly. Only replant the healthy pieces with young shoots from the outside of each clump. Asters originate in North America and were brought to Britain in the 1700's. Aster novi-belgii has the strongest genes and ahs been the one most  used in breeding present day Michaelmas Daisies.

Sedum Spectabile is another easily grown perennial which has beautiful pink flower heads 3-5 inches wide and also attracts butterflies. Originating in Siberia it was brought to Britain in 1780. It can be easily divided and replanted between October and March and grows to approximately 18 inches in height. The variety 'Autumn Joy' is a favourite with many gardeners and has darker bronze coloured foliage and red flowers. Unfortunately it doesn't have the same attraction for butterflies but is still a pretty addition to any garden.

Rudbeckia fulgida 'Goldsturm' is a bushy perennial which produces stunning yellow daisy like flowers from late summer into autumn. It grows to 2-3 ft in height and is happy in any well drained garden soil. Choose an open sunny site but be aware the plants will require staking in exposed positions. All Rudbeckia species originated in North America and were introduced to Britain in the 1600's. These perennials can be propagated by dividing the roots between October and March and replanting the stronger roots from the outside of the clump.