AUTUMN FLOWERS

Numerous blooms take centre stage over the autumn months. Nerine flowers and ‘naked ladies’ pop up out of nowhere, and both last for a fortnight in a vase. Snapdragons, zinnias, cosmos, nemesias and begonias are also reliable campaigners.

In preparation for winter flower colour, consider getting seeds of violas, polyanthus, primulas and pansies going now.

Chrysanthemums will be bursting with blooms too. These tiny garden mums are perfect for front-garden borders, whereas the taller, more stately ‘florist’s chrysanthemums’ need room to move, so allow 1m in width.

To add edible flowers to the menu, plant Calendula, cornflower and hyssop.