Updated 11/09/2025
As summer turns to autumn, many plants begin to fade – but there’s still a whole host of plants that will give autumn colour.
Shrub up well
Autumn is a wonderful time for shrubs because they offer something special for extra interest: berries. Symphoricarpos (snowberry) and firethorn are both great choices.
Cotoneaster is equally popular with birds such as blackbirds, thrushes, and waxwings, who will come to feast on the treats. For extra colour, try Pyracantha ‘Orange Glow’ or ‘Saphyr Red’. Cotoneaster horizontalis is compact and perfect for walls.
In addition, you can brighten beds and borders with plants that flower late in the season or repeat flower for longer periods. The vibrant, daisy-like flowers of Rudbeckia make a striking addition to beds, especially when contrasted with the small clusters of flowers of Verbena bonariensis (purple top).
Rudbeckia fulgida var. sullivantii ‘Goldsturm’ is reliable in September. Add Salvia ‘Amistad’ for sustained colour and pollinators.
Mum’s the word
Chrysanthemums and asters also continue flowering well into autumn and keeping on top of deadheading any spent flowers will keep them blooming. In addition, heleniums and Kniphofia (red-hot poker) will add some fiery colour to any tired-looking borders.
Choose hardy garden chrysanthemums like ‘Ruby Mound’. For asters, try Symphyotrichum ‘Little Carlow’. Helenium ‘Moerheim Beauty’ is a late-season star.
The rounded spikes of Kniphofia rooperi (Rooper’s red-hot poker) fade from red to yellow on top of tall stems, bringing dramatic colour and height to the border. Kniphofia ‘Tawny King’ offers soft, peachy tones that blend beautifully with grasses.
Next, to bring some cheer to your autumn containers, use evergreen heathers that are low-maintenance. They will also be great for pollinators in the cooler months. ‘Alicia’ is a wonderful heather with long-lasting white flowers in summer and autumn.
Winter-flowering pansies and primulas will also add colour to your garden. So, they will look great whether you are plugging gaps in your borders or adding hanging baskets and containers to your patio area.
Try pansy ‘Matrix Sunrise’ and primula ‘Gold Lace’ for lively displays.
Fantastic foliage
Add height, movement, and texture with ornamental grasses. Their fluffy seed heads liven up borders and create a great backdrop for other plants.
Two great choices are Miscanthus sinensis and Calamagrostis brachytricha (Korean feather reed grass). Their rustling will create a wonderful soundtrack in your garden to help you relax.
Miscanthus sinensis ‘Gracillimus’ suits larger borders. ‘Morning Light’ is elegant for smaller spaces. Calamagrostis pairs well with echinaceas and rudbeckias.
Autumnal colour
Deciduous trees come into their own as their leaves change colour. A favourite of mine is the Japanese maple, whose breath-taking colour changes are a must-have for any size garden. The leaves of flowering cherry trees change to gold and fiery red before they fall.
Choose Acer palmatum ‘Osakazuki’ for vibrant scarlet. For smaller gardens, Acer palmatum ‘Sango-kaku’ brings coral stems and yellow foliage.
Amelanchier lamarckii (snowy mespilus) provides on all fronts with green foliage in summer that turns orange and red in autumn. White flowers bloom in spring, followed by purple-black berries. Their autumn colour has a touch of Halloween spookiness about it.
Amelanchier ‘Ballerina’ is an excellent compact variety.
For some real spectacular Halloween interest, Physalis alkekengi (Chinese lantern) has papery-textured red fruit covers. These are inflated and lantern-like because they shield the red berries.
Grow Physalis in containers if spreading is a concern. It makes superb dried stems.
The cooler months don’t mean your garden needs to be barren and empty until next spring, instead make the most of flowers, fruit and foliage that will bring interest to your garden – as well as wildlife as the bees and birds will love them too.
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Frequently Asked Questions
1 – What can I plant in September for instant autumn colour?
Plant Rudbeckia ‘Goldsturm’, asters like ‘Little Carlow’, and hardy chrysanthemums. Add pansies and heathers for containers. These establish quickly and flower now.
2 – How do I keep late perennials flowering for longer?
Deadhead spent blooms regularly and water during dry spells. A light feed of high-potash fertiliser helps. remove tatty foliage to tidy plants.
3 – Which small trees give reliable autumn colour in modest gardens?
Choose Acer palmatum ‘Sango-kaku’ or Amelanchier ‘Ballerina’. Both offer spring blossom, good structure, and vivid autumn leaves without overwhelming space.
4 – Are Chinese lanterns invasive in borders?
Physalis can spread by rhizomes. Grow it in a large container or use root barriers. Cut stems before seeds shed if you want to limit spread.
5 – What grasses pair well with autumn daisies?
Combine Miscanthus ‘Morning Light’ or Calmagrostis brachytricha with echinaceas, heleniums, and rudbeckias. The seed heads and daisy forms create texture and long-season interest.
David Domoney is a Chartered Horticulturalist, Broadcaster, and Author. David has worked with a number of the UK’s leading garden retailers as a plant buyer and strategic consultant. With more than 30 years experience, in horticulture, David is as passionate about plants now as he was when he bought his first plant at a village fete.
Thanks for sharing useful information. :)
really like your site; full of very helpful ideas. thanks