As the days shorten and a crispness fills the air, there’s a part of us that wants to hold onto the vibrant warmth of summer. We cling to the last long evenings and the memory of sun-drenched days.
We believe the most beautiful gardens are the ones that keep giving, extending the season of blooms and bright foliage long into the autumn. This isn’t about the traditional fiery reds and oranges of autumn foliage, but about plants that hold onto their spectacular colour, providing a continuous display that bridges the gap between seasons. From bold, late-flowering hydrangeas to evergreens and stunning grasses, here is a selection of our favourite plants for extending colour in your garden well into autumn.
Here is a selection of our favourite plants for extending colour in your garden well into autumn.
Herbaceous
In terms of colour, think dusky pinks and burnt oranges to take you through to early autumn.
Anemone Ruffled Swan – A stunning perennial that produces elegant semi-double white flowers with a pale blue reverse and a vibrant yellow centre from summer to autumn. The blooms are held above tall, branched stems, creating a graceful and airy display in the garden. This variety forms a compact mound of dark green, lobed leaves. It thrives in full sun to partial shade and prefers moist, well-drained soil.
Geum ‘Totally Tangerine’ (Aven) – A vigorous, long-flowering perennial known for its soft, airy habit and abundant apricot-orange blooms. From late spring through to autumn, it produces masses of nodding, semi-double flowers on tall, branching stems that sway gently above mounds of fresh green, slightly lobed foliage. The flowers often fade to softer peach tones, creating a layered, natural colour effect over time. Thrives in sun or partial shade in moist but well-drained soil and attracts pollinators throughout the season.
Verbena bonariensis – A tall perennial prized for its slender stems topped with clusters of small, vibrant purple flowers from summer to autumn. The long-blooming flowers attract bees, butterflies, and other pollinators, adding life and movement to the garden. Its open, upright habit makes it ideal for adding height and structure to the borders, while allowing lower-growing plants to flourish beneath. Thriving in full sun and moist but well drained soil, its graceful presence creates a relaxed, meadow-like feel in any garden. Height 2.5m Spread 50cm.
Shrubs
Deciduous shrubs and small trees make great feature plants in a mixed border where their foliage often changes colour in autumn. By including some low maintenance evergreen shrubs you’ll add structure and year round interest.
Ceratostigma willmottianum ‘Forest Blue’ (Chinese Plumbago) – A compact, deciduous perennial prized for its vivid late-season colour and long-lasting garden interest. From late summer into autumn, clusters of intense gentian-blue flowers appear above fresh green foliage, creating a striking contrast in borders and containers. As temperatures cool, the leaves transform into rich shades of red and bronze, adding exceptional autumn appeal. Ideal for sunny or lightly shaded positions, it thrives in well-drained soil and is tolerant of drier conditions once established. Ceratostigma ‘Forest Blue’ is perfect for providing reliable colour when many other plants begin to fade.
Hydrangeas are perfect for filling gaps and providing bold splashes of colour from late summer through to Autumn. Resist the urge to deadhead until February and you will have texture and interest from the heads throughout winter. This also offers the new growth on the plant protection from late spring frosts. A variety such as Hydrangea paniculata ‘Wim’s Red’ will take you through into autumn with it’s striking red sturdy stems that intensify as the season progresses.
Parrotia persica ‘Bella’ (Persian Ironwood) -A beautiful deciduous tree or shrub valued for its outstanding autumn colour and attractive year-round form. Fresh green with tints of red leaves emerge in spring, creating a dense, rounded canopy through summer before turning spectacular shades of orange, red, yellow and purple in autumn. In late winter to early spring, small red flowers appear on bare branches, adding subtle seasonal interest. Ideal as a specimen tree , it thrives in full sun or partial shade and tolerative most soil conditions. Hardy and tolerant of urban conditions, it is low maintenance once established. Parrotia persica ‘Bella’ gives elegant structure and exceptional autumn display. Height 8-12m.
Pittosporum tobira ‘Nana’ – A compact, slow-growing evergreen shrub prized for its neat, rounded shape and glossy, dark green leaves. In late spring to early summer, it produces clusters of small, creamy white, aromatic flowers, maturing to yellow. A low maintenance shrub, perfect for perfect for small gardens, borders, or containers and is an excellent choice for adding structure and fragrance to gardens. Height and Spread 1.5m. Grow in moist but well drained soil in a sheltered position. Full sun.
Physocarpus opulifolius ‘Amber Jubilee’ – ‘Amber Jubilee’ is a colourful deciduous shrub valued for its dynamic foliage and hardy nature. Leaves emerge bright orange in spring, soften to yellow green through summer, and deepen to rich amber, purple and red tones in autumn, providing continuous seasonal interest. In late spring, clusters of small white flowers appear, followed by decorative seed capsules. Compact and upright in habit, it grows 2.5m tall and wide. Growing best in neutral to acidic soil in full sun or partial shade, its bold colour and low maintenance make it ideal for borders and mixed garden plantings.
Ornamental Grasses
Ornamental grasses such as Miscanthus sinensis add height, movement and atmosphere providing the perfect backdrop to flowering perennials for a stunning finale to the late summer border. Effective planting partners include long flowering perennials such as Verbena bonariensis.
Anemanthele lessoniana (Pheasant’s tail grass) – This is a fantastic ornamental grass that provides colour, movement and structure. With evergreen foliage which emerges green but becomes striped with yellow, orange, and red with age it’s a super grass for year round interest. Sprays of airy flowerheads appear in late summer. Clump forming it’s easy to divide and multiply, it’s our ‘go-to’ grass of choice!
Grow in full sun to partial shade in well drained fertile soil.
Mature Height: 50cm
Carex testacea ‘Prairie Fire’ – One of the best evergreen plants for adding colour and interest to the garden during the winter months as it forms a dense, arching mound of eye-catching bright orange-green foliage. With insignificant brown flower spikes appearing in summer and drooping elegantly with age, it retains colour and adds contrast to any planting scheme. Like other Carex, it prefers full sun but can tolerate partial shade and thrives in moist, fertile, well-draining soils. Mature Height: 50cm.
Feeling inspired?
If you would like to start the first step of your journey with us then get in touch to book our consultancy service.
For just £75*, our experienced horticulturalists will provide tailored guidance to bring your vision to life. Whether you’re interested in fast-growing solutions for quick impact, seeking the enduring beauty of evergreen plants or looking to add colour and fragrance, we can offer expert advice.
**£75 fee applies if you live within a 15-mile radius of our office. Additional fees apply outside this area. All costs include VAT.