September is a month of mists and mellow fruitfulness, often with warm, bright, sunny days filled with the smell of people baking apple and blackberry pies. It’s a wonderful time to be out in the garden, and here are ten plants looking especially good at this time of year.
1. Lespedeza thunbergii (Bush clover)
An unusual deciduous shrub with elegant, arching stems and small, oval silver-green leaves. The best feature of this ornamental shrub is its stunning, scented, bright pink flowers. Once established, blooms appear abundantly in September 2025. They hang in thick cascades of long racemes, creating a striking display that is certain to impress visitors.
For best results, plant in a sheltered spot. Ideally, position it on the edge of a bank or wall. This way, you can fully appreciate the gorgeous flowers at eye level and enjoy their dramatic effect.
- Flowers from September to October
- Hardy
- Grows to 150cm tall and 75cm wide
- Well-drained soil
- Full sun
- Exposed
A dainty-looking, late-flowering, bushy evergreen perennial with long, slender glaucous grey-green leaves. It produces clusters of small, bright yellow flowers that last many weeks, making it ideal for the front of a border.
However, wear gloves when handling or pruning, as some people experience allergic reactions to the milky sap. This sap leaks when the stems are cut or broken, so take care to avoid contact.
- Flowers from July to October
- Hardy
- Grows to 30cm tall and 30cm wide
- Well-drained soil
- Full sun or part shade
- Exposed
3. Panicum virgatum ‘Shenandoah’ (Switch grass)
An elegant, upright, slender grass that cascades in a graceful fountain shape. At this time of year, the leaf colour changes to vibrant shades of red. The plant also produces seed-bearing stems topped with clouds of tiny purple flowers. By September 2025, this ornamental grass will provide dramatic colour and texture in any border.
- Flowers from July to September
- Hardy
- Grows to 120cm tall and 60cm wide
- Well-drained soil
- Full sun
- Exposed
4. Silphium perfoliatum (Cup plant)
A handsome, tall perennial daisy with lemon-yellow flowers appearing in late summer and lasting into early autumn. This pollinator-friendly plant is especially popular with lacewing and hoverfly insects. It makes a reliable choice for adding long-lasting seasonal colour to mixed borders.
- Flowers from July to September
- Hardy
- Grows to 2m tall and 75cm wide
- Moisture-retentive soil
- Full sun
- Exposed
5. Eupatorium maculatum ‘Riesenschirm’ (Joe Pye weed)
Late summer and autumn are when this perennial comes into its own. It produces tall, dark maroon stems clad with long, deep-green, pointed leaves from top to bottom. Striking purple-pink domed flower heads appear, fading as they age and attracting many pollinators.
Generally, staking is unnecessary, and the plant remains trouble-free. By September 2025, plant it at the back of a border for maximum seasonal impact.
- Flowers from August to September
- Hardy
- Grows to 180cm tall and 90cm wide
- Well-drained soil
- Full sun
- Exposed
6. Callicarpa bodinieri var. giraldii ‘Profusion’ (Beauty berry)
Another attractive shrub shines in early autumn, producing incredible clusters of shiny, bead-like purple berries. These ornamental fruits are perfect for flower arrangements or autumn displays.
For the most striking effect, plant shrubs in closely spaced groups. This will enhance the dramatic appearance of the berries in your garden.
- Flowers from May to June
- Hardy
- Grows to 3m tall and 2.5cm wide
- Well-drained soil
- Full sun or part shade
- Exposed
7. Succisa pratensis (Devil’s bit scabious)
This is the perfect late-flowering plant for attracting pollinators, particularly butterflies and bees. Its compact pom-pom flowers are deep lilac blue and appear on thin, finely branched stems. Once established, it self-seeds freely but, fortunately, is not invasive. In September 2025, it will fill the garden with life and vibrant colour.
- Flowers from July to October
- Hardy
- Grows to 120cm tall and 90cm wide
- Well-drained soil
- Full sun or part shade
- Exposed
8. Stokesia laevis ‘Alba’ (Stokes’s aster)
Once established, this unusual perennial produces creamy-white fringe-petalled flowers, often flushed with pale lilac. These blooms continue for weeks, making it a reliable and eye-catching choice. It should be trouble-free in sun or part shade. Plant in well-drained soil that remains evenly moist without drying out.
- Flowers from July to October
- Hardy
- Grows to 60cm tall and 50cm wide
- Well-drained soil
- Full sun or part shade
- Exposed
9. Heptacodium miconioides (Seven son)
This is an unusual medium-sized tree that deserves to be widely grown. The elongated leaves dangle in pairs, often turning claret before falling. Its real joy is the creamy-white, scented flowers that appear now and last into November.
The tree also develops attractive peeling bark as it ages, adding interest year-round. In September 2025, plant it near a path’s edge as a striking specimen tree.
- Flowers from September to November
- Hardy
- Grows to 8m tall and 4m wide
- Well-drained, moisture-retentive, fertile soil
- Full sun
- Exposed
10. Euonymus alatus (Fire bush)
This easy-to-grow shrub has dark green leaves that turn brilliant red in autumn, hence its common name. It makes a superb specimen shrub, especially when planted where sunlight highlights the autumn colours.
By September 2025, it will provide outstanding seasonal impact and reliable structure in the garden.
- Flowers from May to June
- Hardy
- Grows to 2m tall and 3m wide
- Well-drained soil
- Full sun
- Exposed
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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.
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