Birmingham Botanical Gardens’ herbaceous borders show how it’s done
If your flower beds and pots run out of steam by the end of August, take a look at how the experts succeed at colourful autumn planting.
Instead of clearing your beds and shutting up shop, enjoy flowers right until the first frosts with the right choices, as my visit to Birmingham Botanical Gardens shows. The Chelsea Chop is a useful technique to improve colourful autumn planting – how to do it.
It’s a lovely garden in Edgbaston, with several impressive glasshouses (read about the Tropical House and the Subtropical House). I was struck by what a happy place it was, filled with families and people of all ages and backgrounds enjoying the fresh air on a lovely Sunday. Read more on the Mediterranean House. On a similar note, visit the National Botanic Garden of Wales’ Saving Pollinator Assurance Scheme post.
Colourful autumn planting – Extreme weather
I wanted to see how their gardeners had handled the extreme weather conditions this year – snow and ice, then heat and drought. It appears they dealt with it all pretty well! The border is on the West Lawn, protected from the east wind by the Pinetum and backed by a low stone wall. This sheltered site means plants bloom early and have long flowering periods.
It is cut in two by stone stairs and, like most these days, isn’t just made up of herbaceous perennials (plants that come back every year, as my mother says).
Succession of blooms
Early season blooms include blue and red Pulmonaria and purple and pink geraniums, Alliums and Delphiniums, giving way to Salvia, Achillea and Crocosmia.
By mid-September, Phlox, Penstemon, Helenium, Echinacea, Anemone huphensis and Sedum spectabile were fighting it out for prominence with a host of sunflowers. There was a colourful palette, with white at one end morphing into hotter colours – a delightful use of plants and all pretty easy to grow.
Colourful autumn planting – Importance of foliage
Foliage colour played an important part, with Artemisia Powis Castle’s grey-white mounds winding through the beds and the almost black Ligularia Othello contrasting with asters. Phormiums and Euphorbias, along with the trees of the Pinetum, provide evergreen interest throughout the year.
The gardens are a lovely place to visit at any time – for more information, visit www.birminghambotanicalgardens.org.uk.
