The “August Gap” is a bit of a misnomer, particularly this year because the season is up to six weeks early due to the hot spring and summer, and many plants such as Dahlia are blooming earlier than we would normally expect. However, the term is used to describe that part of high summer where the incredible displays of summer flowering plants are just starting to slow down, but before the intense colours of the autumn flowers get going.

Often at this time, we need to dead-head plants such as Penstemon, Salvia and Nepeta etc. to encourage them to send out new shoots for a secondary flush of flowers. This can also make the garden look a bit sparse for a few weeks. So, in this article we take a look at some plants that are starting to really get into their stride just as we need a new injection of colour.

A note worth remembering is that lots of ornamental grasses are putting out attractive seed heads and have attained the perfect height for swaying gently in the breeze, so these too are wonderful for adding interest that will last late into Autumn or even through the winter.

Most of these plants are not available for mail order at this time because they are too tall, but this newsletter is only for locals (within 1 hour of the nursery) who can come and purchase these from the nursery shop.

Come and see us and you're bound to find just the right plant for the right place in your garden

Ageratum petiolatum