It is at this time of year that I really appreciate those plants with a long flowering period, that I know I can rely on to carry on flowering until the first frosts (or often even later).
In the shrub department, the floriferous star has to be the tree mallow (Lavatera 'Rosea') (left). Having started to flower in June, it will soldier on for months - last year it still bore blooms on Christmas Day. By then, it may look rather straggly, with the flowers borne on the very ends of the stems, but at that time of year you can't be too fussy.
The roses are another stalwart of late summer and autumn. Although many varieties are described as repeat flowering, you will find some are more reliable than others. 'The Fairy' (right) is very good, starting late in July, but then carrying right on into winter. I have found 'Climbing Iceberg' (a white climbing floribunda) to have a long flowering period as well. 'Gertrude Jekyll' (a David Austin English Rose) starts early, gives up in the heat of the summer, but then performs steadily through the autumn months.
When it comes to long-flowering climbers, I think the white potato vine (Solanum jasminoides 'Album')(left), is very hard to beat. Its clusters of white flowers look great against its dark green foliage, and again, this is one that will flower until Christmas if the frosts are not too severe. The only drawback is that it is rather tender and so needs a mild garden and/or a sheltered position against a house wall.
The star perennials are the Penstemon family, whether they are the tall border variety or the dwarf rock garden types. I have found the tall red 'Chester Scarlet' to be especially good, flowering continuously from July to Christmas. The rock garden variety 'Blue Gem' is also very reliable - it never seems to be out of flower!
Anthemis 'EC Buxton'(top left), with its lemon yellow daisy blooms, is another long-flowering perennial - if it gets rather tatty it can be cut hard back and will soon be sporting flowers again.
We can't forget the annuals which enrich the autumn display in the borders. The best two I have found for length of flowering are Cosmos and Nicotiana. In containers, Surfinia petunias [left] and pelargoniums will carry on until hit by the frosts.
Bear in mind that you can help prolong the flower display by regular deadheading, as if the plant manages to set seed it will often cease flower production.
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