What to Plant in September

Hanging baskets do not have to be limited to summer. Planting a fresh basket in September can bring colour to your garden as the main summer display begins to fade.

Choose reliable seasonal plants such as violas and pansies for flowers, then add foliage plants to provide shape, texture and interest between flushes of colour. Ivy, heucheras and compact ornamental grasses can all work well.

Avoid overcrowding the basket. Plants grow more slowly during autumn and winter, but they still need room for their roots and foliage to develop. Make sure the basket drains freely because cold, waterlogged compost can quickly damage the roots.

Position the finished basket where it receives plenty of natural light and can be easily seen from the house.

September does not have to mean the end of garden colour. There are several dependable plants that can brighten containers, baskets and borders as summer flowers begin to fade.

Asters and chrysanthemums provide valuable seasonal flowers, while violas and pansies can continue flowering over a much longer period. Heucheras, ajugas, ivy and ornamental grasses introduce foliage colour and texture that will remain attractive even when fewer plants are in bloom.

Try not to rely entirely on flowers. A combination of flowers, foliage and contrasting plant shapes will create a display that stays interesting for longer and is less affected when one plant finishes flowering.

Choose a simple colour palette rather than trying to include every available colour. Two or three complementary colours, supported by attractive foliage, are usually enough to make a container feel coordinated.

September is an excellent time to plant many hardy perennials. The soil retains warmth from summer, while cooler weather reduces the stress placed on newly planted roots.

Planting now gives perennials time to begin establishing before winter. Although there may be limited growth above the soil, root development can continue while conditions remain suitable.

Choose a position that suits the plant and improve the soil with organic matter if necessary. Water the plant thoroughly before removing it from its pot, plant it at approximately the same depth at which it was previously growing and firm the soil gently around the roots.

Continue checking newly planted perennials during dry weather. They may be hardy once established, but they will still need help while their roots are developing.