What's Flowering week commencing 17th September 2018

Originally I wanted to do a diary for myself reminding me of what was flowering at certain times/weeks/months of the year. Then I thought I would share it with you , giving you ideas and inspiration for next year and for years to come ! All pictures and ideas will be taken from my customers gardens as and when I come across any flowering or particularly interesting plants that week.

Sedum Herbstfreude

There are many varieties of Sedum but this type is the one you see in most people's gardens. Growing to about 60cm high they start off all green and eventually turn pink like in these pictures and finally in the winter they turn brown . If you like architectural plants in your gardens these are great left in the winter months as the stems and flowers will turn brown and the frosts will cover them creating stunning points of interest , I will take some pictures in January to show you that very thing and post it here.

Being a herbaceous perennial ( meaning they will grow back year after year ) and if in the right conditions they will continuously divide and grow , then in the spring you can lift them out , divide them - creating even more plants. Bunched together in a border they create a great display, especially if you grow with Ajuga reptans (https://www.rhs.org.uk/Plants/742/Ajuga-reptans/Details) as the pink and purples of the Ajuga leaves look amazing together.

They can cope with a very exposed garden but do prefer full sun and they also like a south facing position.

So if you looking for colour in the September months try these!

Acer ( Smooth Japanese-Maple )

This beautiful red acer is looking great at the moment , these amazing shrubs can make a great feature if in the right place. I think most people will know what an Acer is or at least recognize one.

Cyclamen ( also know as Sow Bread ! )

There are many different colours of Cyclamen available out there from dark reds , dark pinks, pale pinks, purples and whites. The ones in these pictures have been planted at the base of a very old Beech tree for a very very long time apparently and over time they have spread and divided naturally. The pinks really show up against the dark trunks of the trees from a distant. If you can plant loads in clumps it makes the effect even more spectacular.

Cyclamen are actually really easy to look after , so long as you get the initial planting right . They prefer part shade , in a place which isn't too sunny and dry. Plant at a depth of about 4-5 cm and make sure you plant them the right way up as sometimes it's hard to tell , especially if it's just a tuber with no roots or growth showing yet. If you do plant it the wrong way up it will never flower ! You can protect them from very hard frosts in the winter by using a leaf mulch.

These also make great flowers in pots in your home , I've got a red one which flowers for about 6 months of the year on and off ! I just deadhead the flowers and leaves regularly and it loves it .