October isn't just for tidying up — it's prime time for planting these perennials
October isn't just about winding down the garden before winter — it's a great time to plant perennials for beautiful borders next year. From salvias to chrysanthemums, don't miss the window to get these blooms in the ground ahead of the first frost.
'October is one of the best times to plant perennials if the borders are looking a bit tired. With the soil still retaining summer warmth and a bit more moisture in the air, roots have the chance to bed in well before winter sets in,' says Julian Palphramand, Head of Plants at British Garden Centres.
Before you begin, make sure you prepare your planting hole with well-draining soil. Place the plant with its root ball at soil level before filling with soil. Water well to help the ground establish — you may also want to consider adding mulch for extra winter insulation.
Take a look at the plants below:
Providing pops of colour in sunny borders, salvias are great to plant in October to extend outdoor interest.
Julian says: 'There's a real mix of colours available now: salmon pink, pure white, deep purple, rich blue, and even some soft yellows. Salvias often keep going well into winter if it stays mild and come back year after year with more flowers.'
For best results, choose a sunny, sheltered spot with good drainage.
'Peonies are another popular choice, especially if starting from bare root plants, as well as potted plants,' says Julian. 'Get these planted in rich, well-drained soil and be careful not to bury the buds too deep, aiming for just a few centimetres below the surface.'
These pretty perennials dazzle with their starry white and pink flowers. Blooming from summer to early autumn, they will stand out against green foliage.
Julian adds: 'Gaura is another stalwart for planting now, often flowering right into November if frosts are late, with plenty of airy, delicate blooms. When planting, work some compost into the soil, water everything in well, and mulch with bark or compost to keep frost off and hold in moisture over winter.'
Likewise, the Smoke bush (Cotinus coggygria) is great for planting now, offering purple leaves and wispy flowers during autumn. New plants should be watered regularly for the first two years to help them establish.
These low-maintence plants provide excellent ground cover when other flowers fade back. With beautiful foliage and long-lasting flowers, heucheras can also be planted now before the first frost hits.
'Heucheras are great for their evergreen, colourful foliage. They brighten up dull spots and handle a bit of shade without complaint,' adds Julian.
Different varieties of verbena — including bonariensis, rigida and officinalis — are great to plant in October. They are loved for their late autumn colour, and can attract pollinating insects right through the season.
'Verbena produces clouds of tiny lilac flowers from late summer into autumn. Full of nectar, the plant is highly attractive to butterflies, while providing continuous forage for bees.'
'Chrysanthemums come into their own in autumn, and now's the time to pick them up from garden centres. They like a sunny spot, and regular feeding helps them put on the best show. It's worth mulching around the base to help them overwinter,' says Julian.
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