It's always a challenge to avoid that tired look in August but actually there are lots of things still going strong from earlier: Monardas, Phlox, Eupatoriums, Achilleas, Dahlias, Roses, Nepetas...I think the clue is to be really vigilant about dead-heading (and in the case of Catmints, Geraniums and Anthemis cutting back to the ground after flowering) because most stuff will keep flowering for a long time if you don't let it set seed. I have light soil and Lobelia cardinalis is one that I can't keep in the ground but have been growing successfully in pots for a few years by keeping them resting in saucers filled with pebbles and water, which stops both the drought and the slugs. I do the same with Hesperis and Rodgersias. For an even later show I grow Cannas, the late asters (Symphoricarpus now?) like Little Carlow, and Salvias Royal Bumble, Amistad, Super Trouper, Rockin' Blue Suede Shoes, which literally go on until harsh frosts. I find it useful to keep some Salvias and Agastaches in pots so that I can move them into areas of the border which are looking tired or empty, as I do earlier in the season with potted lilies. I seem to spend most of my time in the garden in the summer months deadheading and cutting back but it is worth doing.
I’ve gone for echinacea as they “thrive on neglect” according to the GC website and I’ve found a lovely yellow one that will pick up from where some of the other yellows have ran out of steam.
The gaura I got a few weeks back is shooting up now (apparently Will only grow 60cm tall so staking shouldn’t be required).
My Verbena B and Verbena Buenos Aires are still going strong. The scabious are surviving despite the aphids.
Achillea are looking a bit drained but I still love their stature and movement.
Salvia Blue by You and oregano are still attracting the bees. Heuchera are flowering still and the cat mint is blooming again after I scalped them a month ago.
I’ve added seven grasses for movement and winter interest and the ferns are also loving their new home in the corner of two walls.
My anthemis seems to have stalled after a floriferous couple of months. Last year it flowered again into September but this year it looks tired.
Even the one Red Robin i left in (previous owners had thrown them in the ground next to the wall and they weren’t happy) has shot up.
Fleabane also going strong.
Thanks for all of the suggestions. I’ll stop rambling now.
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I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
Late-blooming daylilies, Eupatorium, Asters, Echinacea, Chrysanthemums, etc.