Radio Lancs’ Carole Turner and I had a lively chat about things to do in the garden at this time of year and the great delights the garden can offer in terms of colour and interest.  Here are some of the highlights:

Virginia Creeper (Parthenocissus) is a self-clinging climber that creates walls of fabulous autumnal reds as it climbs.  It loses its leaves in the Winter but is a real eye-catcher at this time of year.  Once established it travels fast.  Prefers a sunny wall.

Liriope is a good low-growing ground cover plant.  It grows in clumps from small bulbs, has evergreen strappy leaves with bluey grape hyacinth-type flowers.  It prefers semi shade and acid soil and is a welcome addition of late flowers to the Autumn garden.

 

 

Crocosmia comes in a variety of colours and again springs from small clusters of bulbs.  There are lots of varieties but at this time of year we find a consistent best seller is C. Lucifer.  Lucifer bears red flowers all the way up its long arching stems which appear to glow in any seasonal sunshine.    Other varieties exist in orange and yellow.  C. Emberglow is a deep orange colour and a perfect addition to a colour changing border.