September SPECTACLE

Vibrant blooms for end-of-season splendour

- CHRIS MORLEY

Full-tilt florals As summer fades, there's no need for the garden to lose its lustre. There are plenty of plants that are going full tilt in September, injecting colour that can last well into early winter. As a bonus, they give insects like butterflies a chance to fuel up with nectar before it turns cold. Use these late-bloomers as permanent border plantings or raise in pots and move to wherever they're needed to pep up dull spots.

Dreamy spires

Tall spires and pokers contrast beautifully with circular- and ball-shaped flowers, like asters and dahlias. They also marry well with buff and silvery grasses. Top choices include crimson-pink Salvia 'Silas Dyson' (H60cm) and wine-plum Salvia 'Go-Go Purple' (H1m). Agastache 'Blue Fortune' has a double bubble of lavender-blue spikes and aromatic leaves (H1m), while red-hot poker 'Tawny King' (H1.2m) has torch-like heads of orange and cream.