Create a September SENSATION

Let dazzling dahlias and Verbena bonariensis brighten up your borders this month, says Helen Billiald

Fans of Great Dixter will instantly recognise the colourful signature style of its chief planting protagonist, Christopher Lloyd. It’s 25 years since he ripped out the old rose garden to create an exotic wonderland. Together with his gardening protégé Fergus Garrett, they converted the once-formal space into a fantasy garden filled with colourful, jungly plants like this stunning combination of dahlias, verbena and ipomoea. The resulting late summer and autumn profusion inspired a seismic shift in planting styles across the UK that continues to resonate today. Take inspiration from this snapshot in time!