Agastache foeniculum
This is one perennial that does start to flower as late as October in my garden (although reference books refer to it starting in mid summer). It has a distinctive aniseed fragrance and dense spikes of blue flowers.
It likes well-drained soil in full sun and is hardy down to about -10 deg C.
Arbutus unedo
This is a useful shrubby tree for the garden. It has a number of attractive features - evergreen leaves, rough red-brown bark, strawberry-like red fruit and these pretty autumn flowers.
It grows to about 8m and likes a well-drained soil, rich in organic matter, and a sheltered site. Mature trees are fully hardy, but young plants may need extra protection.
Clematis cirrhosa
This Clematis not only produces flowers during the colder months of the year, but is evergreen too. Reference books describe it as flowering in late winter and early spring, but plants don't always read the books, so this is already flowering in my garden!
The cream flowers are best viewed from below as they hang rather shyly, sometimes hiding the attractive maroon flecked interiors. Prefers well-drained soil in sun, with some shelter and is hardy down to -10 deg C.
Hamamelis x intermedia 'Diane'
Like many owners of small gardens, I am always on the lookout for plants with more than one season of interest, and this is definitely a good one.
In summer it creates a sober green background for the more flamboyant summer flowers, but in autumn the leaves turn to dramatic shades of orange, yellow and red. (Not all Hamamelis have such good autumn colouring - 'Diane' and 'Jelena' are two of the best in this respect). Once the leaves have dropped it then produces spidery winter flowers - 'Diane' produces dark red blooms, other varieties produce shades of yellow and orange. They prefer well-drained, but moist, acid or neutral soil in full sun or partial shade. (This particular plant is grown in a pot in my garden and seems very happy). It is fully hardy.
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