Late summer brings a unique atmosphere to the garden: warm days alternate with crisp mornings and the first autumn colours appear. Now is the time to take a moment to reflect on your garden: enjoy what is still blooming, but also look ahead. These five gardening tips will give your garden a boost for now and later.
- Enjoy the late bloomers
Stay in that summertime mood a little longer with varieties that continue flowering through September. Think of the Buddleja Miss series with its butterfly‑attracting plumes, or Caryopteris ‘Beyond Midnight®’ with deep blue blossoms. Also Spiraea Double Play® Doozie surprises with its long‑lasting bloom. - A few September chores
Remove faded flowers and give your lawn one final mow. Work compost into the borders and cover the soil with a layer of mulch, such as wood chips or autumn leaves. That way the soil stays moist longer, and your plants get good nourishment for the months ahead. - Plant spring bloomers now
September is an excellent time to already think about next spring. Plant shrubs from the Chaenomeles Storm series or choose from the Deutzia Yuki varieties; now they can establish well, and because of their early flowering you’ll be able to enjoy beautiful spring blooms in your garden sooner. - Give wildlife a safe haven
Set up a quiet corner in your garden with leaves or branches where hedgehogs, insects, and birds can find refuge. Leave spent stems tall: they provide shelter for insects like ladybugs and food for birds. In this way you make your garden a lively sanctuary. - Put autumn bloomers in the spotlight
Shrubs such as Callicarpa PearlGlam® with its striking purple berries, or Viburnum Oh Canada® with its leaves changing from intense red to yellow, now bring colour and attract birds. Give them a prominent position in your garden for an atmospheric late season.
With these tips, your late‑summer garden remains a lovely place to enjoy, and at the same time you lay a strong foundation for a colourful spring.