I wonder why slugs & snails leave my seed-grown Lobelia (supposed to be mixed colours, but actually blue - suits me!) entirely untouched? We have plenty of slimy friends but they seem to be concentrating their efforts on the veg this year.
I'd second Persicaria amplexicaulis. Attractive to bees & hoverflies, and dead easy to grow.
My Hesperantha isn't flowering yet - it's definitely an autumn flowerer for me. Easy, too. Photo taken last October, with Geranium 'Rozanne', Knautia macedonica & a bit of a Hylotelephium (Sedum).
Since 2019 I've lived in east Clare, in the west of Ireland.
My season starts about a month earlier than the UK so many late summer perennials (like Heleniums and Rudbeckia) are winding up rather than gearing up, so I always look for things that are late starters to try and keep the colour going. In addition to those already mentioned, Liatris Spicata and Acidanthera are two good bulbs for late summer/autumn flowering. Tithonia (annual) for a big splash of colour, plus compact Crocosmia Emily McKensie is last to flower so consequently is last to go over. If you can grow them, Echinaceas last much longer than many of the daisy types, and the shrubby salvias are still going strong when the nemorosas are well gone. I am seriously lacking some asters though!
Mountainous Northern Catalunya, Spain. Hot summers, cold winters.
Liatris is a very good shout @Nollie. Some of mine are only just starting to flower - the whites mainly, the purple ones have been in flower for a few weeks now. Again, location is a factor. I expect @TheGreenMan will be slightly ahead of me in terms of flowering times. I have that Crocosmia too - buds only just starting to appear now, although that's slightly later than normal by a week or two
It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....
I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
No flower spikes on my Liatris yet @Fairygirl. I did plant this latest lot very late, which is another way to extend the season incidentally 😊
Ah yes, Agastache are good doers until late. I have a new compact one this year, Beelicious Purple. They are shorter, but a bit floppy. I think I’ve improved my soil rather too well though, they prefer it leaner.
Mountainous Northern Catalunya, Spain. Hot summers, cold winters.
Yes - I moved some 2 years ago, and they were certainly later last year. The colder weather this spring held some plants back a bit, although mainly anything flowering from around May onwards. I grew an orange Agastache from seed about 5 years ago, and it's generally done well, and was even fine during that last winter, but I have it in a very sheltered position. I love it, and it goes well with an Uncinia, and other orangey and bronzy plants.
It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....
I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
I probably just went for it @Loxley, not expecting them to be ok! We have had some mild winters in the last four or five years [for here] but I was quite heartened that it managed the more normal one we've just had. I did lose one [originally had 3 plants that made it from the seed sown ] but I also had a couple of seedlings that I potted on. I've moved one to a more open position, so it'll be interesting to see how it copes. I can't remember which one it is though Ironically, many of the popular ones struggle here, so I gave up on them. Might be tempted again though. Great plants.
It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....
I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
I have a lovely orange shrubby one, A. Aurantica Tango, that usually makes it through my frosty winters with a bit of soil mounded around, but is a bit small and poorly this year, due to the late cold spell, I think. Tangerine Dream is bigger and more vigorous but a pinky coral colour which I didn’t like, so hoiked it out - nowt tangerine about that one!
Mountainous Northern Catalunya, Spain. Hot summers, cold winters.
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I'd second Persicaria amplexicaulis. Attractive to bees & hoverflies, and dead easy to grow.
My Hesperantha isn't flowering yet - it's definitely an autumn flowerer for me. Easy, too.
I have that Crocosmia too - buds only just starting to appear now, although that's slightly later than normal by a week or two
I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
Ah yes, Agastache are good doers until late. I have a new compact one this year, Beelicious Purple. They are shorter, but a bit floppy. I think I’ve improved my soil rather too well though, they prefer it leaner.
I grew an orange Agastache from seed about 5 years ago, and it's generally done well, and was even fine during that last winter, but I have it in a very sheltered position. I love it, and it goes well with an Uncinia, and other orangey and bronzy plants.
I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
We have had some mild winters in the last four or five years [for here] but I was quite heartened that it managed the more normal one we've just had. I did lose one [originally had 3 plants that made it from the seed sown ] but I also had a couple of seedlings that I potted on. I've moved one to a more open position, so it'll be interesting to see how it copes. I can't remember which one it is though
Ironically, many of the popular ones struggle here, so I gave up on them. Might be tempted again though. Great plants.
I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
IMO - salmon only looks right on one thing.....salmon
I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...