Top ten plants for September

First up, the nodding flowers of this deciduous climber make it a late summer spectacle. The bi-coloured flowers bloom on burgundy stems and are followed by fluffy silver seed heads later in the summer. These climbers are fast-growing and will thrive if the previous year’s growth is cut back to 15cm above ground level in early spring. Following this with an application of slow-release fertiliser and a good mulch with garden compost will help them thrive.

The fiery orange flowerheads that bloom in summer and autumn are daisy-like and will look great in any sunny flower bed or border with moist but well-drained soil. They’ll be right at home in a cottage garden where the pollinators can enjoy the flowers too. These upright perennials will appreciate a bit of support if they need it.

A stunning ornamental grass for soft texture, making it ideal for rustling in the breeze in coastal style gardens. In spring the foliage is green, with purple coloured bristly inflorescences in summer and autumn. Hardy in coastal and mild areas of the UK, they may need a bit of winter protection in chillier areas.

The giant golden-yellow flowerheads of this dahlia are sure to supply a pop of colour to your autumn colour. The flowers grow to 25cm wide, and their ruffled effect will bring much joy to containers in courtyard and city gardens as well as being great cut flowers to bring their joy indoors.

The cheery golden-yellow flowers of ‘Toto’ in summer and autumn will be pleasant to you as well as butterflies, who love the open flowers. The chocolate brown centre contrasts beautifully with the petals for a dramatic impact that looks lovely in a mass display. Easy to grow and trouble free, by removing the spent flowers it will extend the blooming period.

Sedum spurium ‘Tricolor’ is a semi-evergreen low growing creeper, providing variegated colour from its fleshy leaves all year round. In summer, pink star-shaped flowers bloom complementing the pink and white margined leaves. Perfect for a gravel garden or rock garden, they will happily thrive with no pruning needed.

Ideal for a wildlife garden, the button snakewort will add height and interest to your border with the purple-pink flower spike that blooms on top of its narrow stem. Loved by bees, butterflies and beneficial insects for its nectar and pollen rich flowers.

For brilliant blue in your garden, blue fescue will give colour, structure as well as add to the soundtrack of your garden as it whispers in the breeze. The needle-like foliage is joined by panicles of green flowers in summer, and it will have a great impact in rock gardens.

There’s a Japanese maple for every garden, even tiny spaces as they grow well in containers. Their colours are spectacular throughout the seasons, with green foliage in spring and summer, turning fiery reds and oranges in autumn.

Finally, this compact shrub with red and orange leaves in autumn before falling, these are joined by glossy scarlet red berries. What’s more, these low maintenance shrubs can be used practically as hedging and screening and fit many garden styles from coastal to cottage.