Below, we highlight our favourite plants from the Late Summer Colour edit—chosen for long bloom time, pollinator appeal and effortless style.Best plants for early autumn colour.

Astrantia ‘Star of Billion’

Delicate, jewel-like white pin-cushion flowers with a greenish ruff bring refined brightness to mixed borders from late summer into early autumn. Lovely in naturalistic schemes and superb for cutting.

Style it with: soft grasses and pale perennials for a calm, elegant palette.

Shop Astrantia ‘Star of Billion’ →

Astrantia ‘Roma’

Elegant, blush-pink flowers on tall stems add long-lasting colour and texture. A brilliant way to bridge seasons while keeping borders feeling full and considered.

Style it with: dusky cranesbill and catmint for a romantic pink-to-mauve blend.

Shop Astrantia ‘Roma’ →

Astrantia ‘Burgundy Manor’

Deep ruby flowers with a sophisticated, moody tone. This is your go-to for adding depth and late-season drama without overwhelming the scheme.

Style it with: Salvia ‘Nachtvlinder’ and Verbena ‘Purple’ for contrast and movement.

Shop Astrantia ‘Burgundy Manor’ →

Verbena ‘Purple’

Airy umbels float above borders, weaving colour and height without bulk. A pollinator magnet that keeps the show going as nights draw in.

Style it with: grasses and single-flowered perennials to create a “light and lifted” meadow look.

Shop Verbena ‘Purple’ →

Gaura ‘Whirling Butterflies’

Clouds of white, fluttering blooms add movement and a soft, romantic feel through late summer and into autumn. Perfect for softening edges and paths.

Style it with: astrantia and catmint for an effortless, “barely arranged” feel.

Shop Gaura ‘Whirling Butterflies’ →

Salvia ‘Nachtvlinder’

Rich, velvety purple flowers deliver saturated colour that reads beautifully in lower light—ideal as days shorten.

Style it with: pale astrantia or white gaura to make the colour sing.

Shop Salvia ‘Nachtvlinder’ →

Geranium ‘Rozanne’

A modern classic: generous violet-blue saucers that flower and flower. Superb at the front of borders or spilling from containers.

Style it with: verbena for height and catmint for a tonal sweep of blue-mauves.

Shop Geranium ‘Rozanne’ →

Catmint (Nepeta)

Billows of scented, bee-friendly flowers in soft lavender tones. Great for repetition along a path, and helpful for tying a scheme together.

Style it with: salvias and astrantia for a layered, designer look.

Shop Catmint →

Hydrangea ‘Runaway Bride’

Cascading, lacecap-style white blooms with exceptional flower coverage. A striking focal point for pots and terraces in late summer and early autumn.

Style it with: ferns for fresh green contrast and texture.

Shop Hydrangea ‘Runaway Bride’ →

Australian Daisy

Masses of daisy-like flowers that shift from white to a pretty pink, giving a soft, two-tone effect as temperatures drop.

Style it with: small terracotta bowls and simple repeats for chic balcony colour.

Shop Australian Daisy →

Design ideas: simple palettes that work

Soft Whites & Greens

• Gaura ‘Whirling Butterflies’
• Astrantia ‘Star of Billion’
• Hydrangea ‘Runaway Bride’

Plummy & Moody

• Salvia ‘Nachtvlinder’
• Astrantia ‘Burgundy Manor’
• Verbena ‘Purple’

Meadow Pastels

• Geranium ‘Rozanne’
• Catmint (Nepeta)
• Astrantia ‘Roma’

Quick care to keep colour going

• Deadhead little & often: Snip spent blooms on astrantia, geranium and salvia to encourage repeat flowering.
• Water deeply, not just often: Especially containers in warm spells; allow water to reach the root zone.
• Feed the soil: Plant and top-dress with peat-free compost for sustained performance. Shop compost →
• Improve drainage: Mix in horticultural grit if your soil is heavy or you’re planting in pots. Shop horticultural grit →
• Protect pots: Raise containers on pot feet to prevent waterlogging. Shop pot feet →

Shop the Late Summer Colour Edit

FAQs

When is the best time to plant for early autumn colour?

Late summer through early autumn is ideal. Warm soil helps roots establish quickly while cooler air reduces stress—so you’ll enjoy colour now and stronger plants next year.

Will these plants work in containers?

Yes. Choose a pot with generous drainage, use high-quality peat-free compost, add a little grit for structure, and water deeply in warm spells.

What’s the easiest way to create a pulled-together look?

Repeat 2–3 plants along the border, stick to one of the simple palettes above, and echo a key colour in your pot choice.