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September

September can be both a sad and an exciting month. Sad because we start to leave summer behind in the UK and a lot of our vibrant summer plants are now starting to wither and look a bit sad but exciting because Autumn heralds a new dawn of colour which has a magic all of its own.

We tend to spend most of this month just tidying up, cutting back and bringing some order to our by now unruly borders, but take time to enjoy the feast of colour from plants such as Asters (Michaelmas Daisy), Nerines and Dahlias. Keep deadheading Dahlias until the first frosts and they will go on rewarding you with continuous flowers.

Rudbeckias will now be coming to a close and may fall about a bit so you should stake if necessary. Autumn Crocus will now be flowering and bringing joy to those who took the trouble to plant these delightful late-flowering Colchicums.

September is the month to stroll around the garden and check out what needs moving. You should also check which clumps of perennials need dividing. If a plant didn’t work in the position you gave it then try another. You can transplant azaleas and rhododendrons now, propagate shrubs and take geranium cuttings so that you have a good stock for next year.

Remember to gather up leaves regularly, leaving leaves on the soil can help spread virus disease such as rose black spot – always burn or dispose of leaves, never leave in a heap where they can blow over the garden again.

 It is an important month for taking control in the garden. Although many gardeners are afraid of pruning it is a job which, at worst, if neglected can lead to the eventual destruction of certain trees and at best allowing a tree or bush to outgrow its environment which  may result in poor performance. By giving Lavateras and Buddleja a good prune now, for example, you are helping them prepare for the winter and rebirth again in the spring as well as keeping a good shape.

Finally, it is time to give thought to our winter pots and displays – there will soon be plenty of ideas in your local garden centre for winter planting so don’t forget to go along at some stage towards the end of the month, for inspiration.

© Reckless Gardener Magazine 2005 Mill Cottage New Media