Simply because summer is drawing to a close doesn't mean your garden must sacrifice its vibrancy and charm. Whilst many blooms start to wither, certain flowers actually thrive in chillier conditions. Selecting appropriate varieties at this time can maintain your outdoor areas' brilliance well into autumn.
A horticultural specialist featured on Martha Stewart's blog stressed that the "gardening" season hasn't concluded. "There's still time to grow flowers that handle the changing weather," they noted. "Selecting the right varieties is essential, as not all blooms thrive once the days shorten and temperatures drop."
Below are three vibrant flowers that adore cooler circumstances.
Asters, alternatively called Symphyotrichum, are stunning purple blooms that flourish in lower temperatures. Establishing them later during the summer proves sensible, as the cooler climate will encourage their root development.
These striking flowers are magnificent to observe and will also draw pollinators. Linda Langelo, a horticulture specialist at Colorado State University Extension, said: "The asters in my landscape have been visited by many different butterflies."
Based on Gardeners' World guidance, containerised asters need consistent watering, whilst those established in soil generally require hydration only during prolonged dry periods.
They prosper when the earth is permitted to dry out before thorough watering, rather than receiving frequent light irrigation. Although they usually don't require feeding, adding organic mulch during spring can prove advantageous.
Coneflowers (Echinacea) are recognised for their daisy-like blooms and their application in herbal remedies. They perform optimally when sown in late summer as they favour cooler conditions; indeed, establishing them too early in the summer can lead them to deteriorate.
Linda explained, "They also need consistent moisture that doesn't exist in the early summer."
A specialist at Gardener's World acknowledged, "They're easy to grow as they tolerate most soils (except very dry ones), and their sturdy stems mean that staking is unnecessary."
Nevertheless, they require full sun, so it's essential to plant them now at the end of summer.
Lungwort (Pulmonaria officinalis) flourishes in late summer. It can deteriorate in the harsh heat of early and midsummer, so it's advisable to establish it later in the season as temperatures start to drop.
Linda continued, "Lungwort makes a great ground cover. I recommend using it because the spotted leaves of the lungwort plant give it added appeal in a shady location."
According to Gardener's World, green enthusiasts should establish in damp, well-drained soil with partial to full shade. They can be cultivated individually or in clusters on fertile soil.
"Once established, they require minimal care, with just one or two cutbacks per year."