August is a good time to be enjoying the fruits of your labour but also thinking about plants that will take you through to early autumn and beyond. Here’s our concise list of our favourites to make choosing things a little less overwhelming.
Climbers
Hydrangea anomala petiolaris – One of our absolute favourite plants for shade, Hydrangea petiolaris is a fabulous, large, self-clinging, deciduous climber with broadly oval leaves and impressive large white flower heads in summer, up to 20cm in width. Flowers appear in clusters, usually comprising of both small fertile and more showy sterile flowers. In autumn when the foliage turns buttery yellow, the flower heads become almost skeletal, remaining throughout winter (if not pruned) giving interest in the garden through the duller months. Perfect for screening shady fences and walls, we supply ours readily trained on a trellis. A star plant for shady and partial shade aspects, also does well in fun sun. Prune after flowering to keep in shape and to promote the next seasons flowers. Tolerates most soil conditions except for chalk, as long as it’s moist and well drained. Final height: 12+m tall, 4-8m wide. RHS Award of Garden Merit.
Jasminum officinale ‘Clotted Cream’ (Common Jasmine) – A deciduous climber with very fragrant, cream flowers in summer and early autumn. They are admired for their perfume, vigorous growth and graceful appearance.
Trachelospermum jasminoides (Star / Evergreen Jasmine) – A vigorous, evergreen, woody climber which can reach between 8-12m in height. With twining stems, glossy dark green, oval leaves, often turning deep bronze-red in winter, it’s a wonderful addition to any sunny garden. Clusters of highly fragrant, small white flowers smother the foliage from mid to late summer.
Lonicera japonica ‘Halliana’ (Honeysuckle) – A semi-evergreen, fast-growing honeysuckle with strongly scented white‑to‑yellow flowers from early summer into autumn. It’s a classic cottage‑garden plant: romantic, scented, and almost unstoppable once it gets going.
Ornamental grasses
Ornamental grasses are brilliant for autumn interest because they hold their shape, catch the low light beautifully, and many varieties develop warm gold, bronze, or russet tones as the season cools. Pair with herbaceous perennials such as Geum and Verbena bonariensis for a whimsical, Prairie style.
Carex testacea ‘Prairie Fire’ – This is 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
Miscanthus sinensis ‘Morning Light’ – One of our favourite grasses, this miscanthus is well renowned for its vigorous versatility and stunning display of silvery green variegated foliage. It is a compact deciduous clump-forming grass that does not have invasive spreading rhizomes, so are easily contained within gardens of all sizes. Will happily grow in any moderately fertile, moist, well-drained soil in full sun. Mature Height: 1–1.5m.
Stipa tenuissima ‘Pony Tails’ (Mexican feathergrass) – Often referred to as ‘Ponytails’ due to its light airy habit, this grass’s thread-like fronds arch elegantly and appear to dance in the wind. A perfect choice for softening a hard landscape, creating movement and interest. It is an extremely versatile plant and thus used in many planting schemes. Perfect for beds, borders and planters this self-seeding grass is an absolute favourite in modern schemes. Grow in full sun to partial shade in moderately fertile soil. Mature Height: 60cm.
Herbaceous perennials
Erigeron karvinskianus (Mexican Fleabane) – This is a charming and resilient perennial plant renowned for its delicate beauty. Originating from Mexico, this herbaceous species has spread its appeal globally. Characterized by small, daisy-like flowers with white or pale pink petals and golden-yellow centers, Erigeron karvinskianus forms cascading mounds of blooms, creating a picturesque carpet effect. Its slender stems bear tiny, lance-shaped leaves. Adaptability is a hallmark of this plant, thriving in various soil types and displaying remarkable resilience to drought conditions. Often used in gardens, hanging baskets, or as ground cover, Erigeron karvinskianus is celebrated for its low maintenance and ability to attract butterflies and bees, contributing to biodiversity. Its enduring bloom period, extending from spring to early autumn, enhances its popularity among gardeners seeking a resilient and aesthetically pleasing addition to their landscapes.
Salvia nemorosa ‘Caradonna’ (Balkan Sage) – A hardy perennial known for its upright spires of rich violet-purple flowers held on distinctive dark, almost black stems. Flowering from summer through to autumn, it brings strong vertical interest and bold contrast to borders. The aromatic, grey-green foliage forms neat clumps, making it ideal for structured and contemporary planting schemes. Highly attractive to bees and other pollinators, ‘Caradonna’ thrives in full sun or partial shade and moist but well-drained soil. Easy to maintain, it can be cut back after flowering to encourage repeat blooms. Height and Spread 50cm.
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.
Hardy Exotics
Cordyline australis (Cabbage Tree) – This evergreen palm is a popular choice for exotic and tropical gardens. Often used in borders and container displays, with multiple cultivators in attractive colours of green, bronze, and purple these palms are fully hardy in the UK. Supplied as a single stem or multi stemmed tree, mature specimens of Cordyline australis flower in summer and produce white fruit clusters in autumn that are a good food source for birds. Grow in a sheltered sunny position in fertile, moist, well-draining soil. Mature Height: 4-8 metres
Musa basjoo (Banana palm) – Well known for its huge, long lance shaped green leaves which unfurl from its layered woody stem. Used best when creating an exotic jungle-style garden it looks brilliant in a sub-tropical border. Leaves die back over winter and this plant requires protection from hard frosts if not sheltered. For best results, grow Musa basjoo in a sheltered sunny position in moist, well-drained soil that has had lots of organic matter incorporated. Mature Height: 5 metres.
Trachycarpus fortunei (Chusan Palm) – A slow growing hardy palm with large fan-shaped green leaves. Small yellow flowers emerge close to the leaf bases in early summer. Great for an exotic look or to add dramatic architectural planting to a modern garden. Full sun.
Shrubs
Choisya × dewitteana White Dazzler (Mexican Blossom) -This highly fragrant evergreen shrub is a useful addition to any garden. Mound forming this neat shrub is exceptionally free flowering in spring and often late summer into autumn. Height and Spread 1 metre Grow in a sunny sheltered aspect on well drained soil.
Choisya ternata (Mexican Blossom) – A highly fragrant evergreen shrub, we use this in many gardens as it’s so versatile. It has a broader leaf than the dewitteana varieties and is as fragrant but the benefits of this variety are that it can grow up to 2.5 metres. Prune after flowering to keep in shape. Height and spread 1.5-2.5 metre. Grow in a sunny aspect on well drained soil.
Hydrangeas – The quickest way to elevate your garden and add timeless style – Hydrangeas. They are one of the most versatile, generous and garden‑transforming shrubs you can grow. They offer huge blooms and seasonal interest (as long as you hold off pruning until late February / early March). With many varieties and sizes available there is something for everyone. 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.
Lavandula (Lavender) – Prized for its richly fragrant flowers and aromatic foliage. Being a Mediterranean plant (in needs if not always in geographic origin) and needs lots of sun and fast-draining soil. It will not survive long in shady, damp or extremely cold conditions. It prefers poor, dry or moderately fertile soil, including chalky and alkaline soils. Lavender will not thrive in heavy clay soil or any soil that becomes waterlogged over winter.
Philadelphus ‘Belle Etoile’ (Mock Orange) – A beautiful flowering plant which is a member of the hydrangea family. Known for its large, showy and highly-scented flowers that bloom in the summertime, it’s relatively easy to care for and does not require much maintenance. The scent, which evokes the Mediterranean, becomes stronger in the evenings so it’s a great choice to plant around patios and seating areas.
Rosmarinus officinalis (Rosemary) – Full sun and free‑draining soil are the two non‑negotiables. Rosemary is a Mediterranean shrub adapted to heat, drought, and poor, rocky ground. It is drought‑tolerant once established and needs very little feeding.
Trees
Eucalyptus gunnii – A distinctive evergreen tree renowned for its aromatic foliage, attractive bark and more compact growth habit. Young leaves appear round and silvery before transforming into lance shaped greyish blue-green leaves, contrasting with the silvery-grey peeling bark. Small white, fragrant flowers appear mid-summer into autumn. Grow in moist but well drained soil in a sheltered position. Protect from cold drying winds. Full sun.
Magnolia grandiflora (Evergreen Magnolia) – An iconic evergreen tree renowned for its large, fragrant, white flowers that bloom sporadically throughout the summer, it adds dramatic beauty to any landscape. The glossy, dark green leaves are complemented by a brown underside, creating visual interest year-round. Hardy and low maintenance, it’s a timeless favourite for both formal and informal gardens. Height 12m+ Grow in moist but well drained neutral to acidic soil in a sheltered position. Full sun or partial shade.
Liriodendron tulipifera (Tulip Tree) – Known for its large, green-yellow tulip like shaped flowers, this tree has large bright green, smooth lobed leaves that appear in the spring time, turning golden yellow in autumn. Flowers only appear on older trees but the light, bright foliage makes it a great option for creating contrast. Liriodendron tulipifera is relatively fast growing and wind resistant. It performs well on most fertile soils and is a large, imposing, broadly pyramidal shape when fully grown. Suited best to parks and large gardens, a mature Liriodendron tulipifera will give an unrivalled floral display. This tree is also desirable from a wildlife and ecological point of view as it is an excellent provider of pollen for bees. Mature height: 12-17m.
Juglans regia (Common Walnut) – This is a large, deciduous tree valued for its handsome form and edible nuts. It has long green leaves that emerge late in spring, followed by small green flowers and rounded walnuts in autumn. Ideal for large gardens, parks and estates, it grows best in full sun and is adaptable to most soil types, provided conditions are well drained and not prone to waterlogging. Typically reaching 20+metres in height with a broad, spreading canopy, making it an impressive specimen tree.
Fruit
Fig (Ficus carica) – A deciduous fruit tree grown for its sweet, soft figs and its bold, architectural leaves. It’s one of the oldest cultivated fruit trees and grows surprisingly well in the UK when given warmth and shelter.
Olive (Olea europaea) – Olive trees are attractive, slow-growing evergreens of Mediterranean origin. They form an oval-rounded head of small silvery-grey leaves, with tiny creamy white fragrant flowers appearing in summer, followed closely by cool-green olives that ripen to deep purple black. Perfect for drought tolerant/Mediterranean schemes these specimen trees also work superbly in planters. In the UK Olives require winter protection from the hardest frosts so they benefit being in a warm, sheltered sunny spot to thrive, in well-drained fertile soil. Mature Height: 4–8m.
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.