In flower now
Rudbeckias
These members of the daisy family are great for a late autumn burst of vibrant colour. Rudbeckia fulgida ‘Little Goldstar’ is a wee gem of a plant as bright as a button. Numerous stems of vibrant golden-yellow flowers boast centres punctuated with ebony-black seed cones. ‘Little Goldstar’ has become popular due to its long flowering period up until the end of autumn through to early winter. It reaches knee-height, 40cm or so, and forms a round mound, from which the stems of flowers appear. Team it up with other autumn flowers such as zinnias, coreopsis, gauras, echinacea, salvias or penstemons.
Butterfly Plants
Gaura lindheimeri ‘So White’ is a ripper butterfly bush, as it flowers continuously throughout summer until the end of autumn. The whimsical white flowers appear on the end of tall, arching stems, looking almost cloud-like as they move in the breeze. Hardy and reliable, ‘So White’ adds a clean fresh punch of white to brighten up sunny garden borders. While it will thrive in a pot, it tends to preform better in the garden. Plant en masse after autumn rains to maximise the impact.
gayfeathers
If you’re interesting in pollination and flower power, then Liatris spicata ‘Kobold’ will tick the box. From the darkgreen foliage, upright stems of feather-like, rich-purple flowers appear. The bees just love it. Team this plant up in a sunny border with other bee and butterfly magnets like echinacea, rudbeckias, bergamot, gaillardias and achilleas. The flowers pick well and can be dried to make pot pourri. Free-draining soil is essential, especially over winter. This mid-sized perennial reaches 50–60cm tall.
Heucherella
A cross of Heuchera and Tiarella, Heucherella are versatile perennials that withstand heat and cold, while being wonderful gap-filling and ground-covering plants. Heucherella ‘Happy Hour Lime’ makes a statement all year round with its glowing lime-green leaves. Planted in groups, ‘Happy Hour Lime’ provides contrast to other garden plants and has a real look-at-me presence. Ideal in sun or partial shade, they also makes a tremendous patio plant specimen. Over summer and autumn, spikes of creamy white flowers appear.