Lovely late COLOUR

Update your containers for a burst of bright flowers that will take you to autumn

- CHRIS MORLEY

Container revival

Containers planted in spring or early summer may be looking lacklustre by now, especially after weeks of baking, bone-dry weather. But it's easy to get the sparkle back - just replace tired bedding with perennials that pack late-summer flower-power. Use refreshed containers to zhuzh up a patio or balcony, or to fill gaps in beds and borders.

Solo stars

Hardy chrysanthemums are flamboyant beauties that flower well into November. Their vibrant hues and petal-packed blooms deserve a starring role in a pot by themselves. Grow in a generous container (30cm or more wide), filled with Ago wit peat-free, multipurpose compost enriched with fertiliser. Place in a sunny, sheltered spot, and water and deadhead like a demon: