Old favourites take us on into autumn

Now that the temperature has returned to normal and rain arrived, hopefully it’s business as usual for the border perennials we normally rely on to take us into autumn.

Rudbeckia is just one of the so-called coneflowers we have come to rely on in this respect, echinacea and helenium are two more. All three are guaranteed to attract bees and butterflies to their nectar-rich, central cones.

Echinacea purpurea (purplishred petals and golden-brown cone) is the well-established species but it’s the hybrids that are currently catching the eye. E. ‘White Lustre’ and E. ‘White Swan’ have creamy-white and pure white florets respectively, set against the orange-brown central disc.

Heleniums have always been associated with the early autumn garden and bumble bees snoozing on nectar-rich cones. The coppery-red petals and rich brown discs of an age-old favourite ‘Moerheim Beauty’ spring to mind but there are a host of varieties with yellow florets that might appeal.

Japanese anemone (Anemone x hybrida) continues blooming well into autumn with us. A deep-rooted perennial, it could be invasive given the chance, but ‘Honerine Jobert’ (white flowers, yellow stamens) is so reliable. This said, the semi-double rich pink flowers of ‘Bressingham Glow’ are outstanding.

Michaelmas daisies (Asters) are true autumn herbaceous perennials, but unfortunately some are prone to mildew. However, there are so many tempting species and cultivars available in white, pink, blue and purple that we cannot ignore the contribution they make to the late border. Similarly, Sedum spectabile is like a magnet in drawing pollinating insects to its bright autumn flowers.

Next time you are at the garden centre standing before a potgrown herbaceous specimen that you really want, don’t let the price put you off buying. Just think of its longevity and future propagation!