Plant a quirky seasonal container
If you’ve pulled plants out of some summer containers that gave up early, make a new display with some latesummer and autumn plants. Don’t be afraid to experiment with the unusual rather than just ‘autumn bedding’ plants that garden centres are stocking up on. Arching grasses will add fullness to the patio as well as movement. Pot growing will also help borderline hardy grasses such as fountain grass (Pennisetum villosum) to survive winter. Mix lots of grit into a mix of soil-based and multi-purpose compost for good drainage, then move the pot somewhere frost-free in winter if sub-zero temperatures are forecast. Try combining them with perennials such as purple sedums, trailing periwinkles or colourful carex varieties, such as wispy golden-yellow ‘Everillo’ for a container that will add texture and colour to the patio for the rest of autumn and last year after year.