Containers for autumn interest

As summer bedding wanes, plant up some autumn pots, says HANNAH STEPHENSON

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F your summer pots are starting to look tired as plants becomes straggly, it's time to perk up your patio with some autumn stars.

Chrysanthemums, heathers, pansies and violas can all add a pop of colour to patio pots, as can vivid cyclamen and even red hot chillis, not forgetting rich foliage plants including heuchera and dwarf conifers.

AS AUTUMN BEGINS...

"Bedding plants like pansies and violas are classic choices that work well planted together to give a reliable boost of autumn colour from early September," says Nigel Lawton, plant buyer for Dobbies Garden Centres.

"Chrysanthemum balls and mini cyclamen are great for filling gaps with their unique textures and delicate flowers. For something a bit different, try ornamental chilli peppers and kale, which bring striking foliage and a vibrant splash of colour."

"If you're looking for something bold, use the larger faced pansy, whereas if you're looking for something delicate, use viola," adds Jeremy Hall, of Squire's Garden Centres.

Plants which are ideal for early autumn include bellis and chrysanthemums, plus silver-leaf foliage from silver dust, calceolaria, and you could even include calluna (a type of heather) which is hardy, suggests Julian Palphramand, head of plants at British Garden Centres.

"They add lots of colour but generally you're unlikely to take most of those through the winter, apart from pansies and violas.

MAKE A STATEMENT

"If you're looking to make a statement with your containers, think beyond flowers. Ornamental grasses add height and movement, while bud-blooming heathers offer vivid, long-lasting colour," says Nigel.

"If you want seed-headed grasses, pennisetum is a good option because it's relatively compact and there are some nice purple varieties and dwarfing varieties also coming through, such as 'Tiny Tails," says Julian.