After one of the hottest and driest summers in recent years, many gardens are looking a little tired. Lawns have browned off, summer bedding has faded more quickly than usual, and even established plants have felt the effects of weeks of intense sunshine.
The good news is that late summer is one of the best times to breathe new life into your garden. With the soil still warm and cooler days gradually arriving, new plants establish quickly before winter, giving them the best possible start for next spring. It’s the perfect opportunity to refresh borders, introduce autumn colour and help your garden recover after a challenging summer.
Add Movement with Ornamental Grasses
If you’re looking for plants that cope well with changing conditions and really come into their own as autumn approaches, ornamental grasses are an excellent choice. Many are drought tolerant once established, require very little maintenance and provide movement, texture and structure long after many summer flowers have faded.
Pennisetum (Fountain Grass) produces soft, fluffy flower spikes that sway beautifully in the breeze. Their elegant foliage works perfectly in borders, gravel gardens or large containers, adding interest well into autumn.
For a real splash of seasonal colour, Imperata cylindrica ‘Red Baron’ (Japanese Blood Grass) is a favourite. Its green leaves gradually turn brilliant crimson as temperatures begin to cool, making it a stunning feature plant that pairs beautifully with late-flowering perennials.
Other ornamental grasses worth considering include:
- Miscanthus for height and graceful plumes.
- Stipa tenuissima for soft, flowing movement.
- Carex for evergreen colour and texture.
Plants That Shine in Late Summer
Now is also the perfect time to enjoy plants that are at their peak.
Look out for:
- Sedum (Hylotelephium) – loved by bees and butterflies with long-lasting flower heads.
- Echinacea (Coneflower) – colourful blooms that continue well into autumn.
- Rudbeckia – cheerful golden flowers that brighten borders.
- Japanese Anemones – elegant flowers for shady spots.
- Asters – providing valuable late nectar for pollinators.
Together with ornamental grasses, these plants create beautiful displays that continue long after many summer flowers have faded.
Help Your Garden Recover
If your garden has struggled through the heat, now is the ideal time to give it a fresh start. Remove tired summer bedding, trim back spent flowers and enrich your borders with compost or soil improver before planting.
Water new plants thoroughly while they establish and apply a layer of mulch around the base to help lock in moisture and protect the roots. A little care now will reward you with a healthier, stronger garden as autumn arrives and next spring begins.
Refresh Your Containers
Summer displays can begin to fade by August, making this the perfect time to update pots and containers with plants that will keep performing into autumn.
Try combining ornamental grasses with:
- Heucheras
- Cyclamen
- Ivy
- Small evergreen shrubs
These combinations provide colour, texture and interest for months to come.
Don’t Forget Your Lawn
Late summer is also one of the best times to repair tired lawns. Warm soil encourages quick germination, while cooler air temperatures reduce stress on young grass.
Visit Brick Kiln Garden Centre
Our plant area is full of late summer colour, including ornamental grasses, flowering perennials and everything you need to keep your garden looking its best as we move towards autumn.
Whether you’re refreshing a few pots, transforming a border or simply looking for inspiration after the summer heat, our knowledgeable team are always happy to help you choose the right plants for your garden.
Visit Brick Kiln Garden Centre and discover how a few carefully chosen additions can keep your garden looking beautiful well into autumn.
