Posts Tagged ‘ground cover plants’

Early autumn colour in Forton Nursery

0 Written by Lisa on 30th Sep 2013 in Plants

Forton Nursery Lisa Cox Garden Designs

Autumn is most certainly in the air now and I’ve been in Somerset for the past 4 days looking after my parents’ nursery.

Perennials at Forton Nursery Lisa Cox Garden Designs

I spent some time sorting out the stock of perennials, some of which needed to be cut back but there were plenty of things still in flower and I thought it would be nice to share some pictures.

Rudbeckia fulgida Goldsturm Lisa Cox Garden Designs

The star of the show by far was the Rudbeckia fulgida ‘Goldsturm’ – the rich yellow brightening up what was a rather grey day.

And of course the Asters are always great for late summer and early autumn colour…

Aster novi belgii

…as are sedum.  This one is called Sedum spectabile ‘Brilliant’ and has large flat heads of lilac flowers.

Sedum spectabile 'Brilliant' Lisa Cox Garden Designs

Schizostylis is another later-flowering perennial still looking great at this time of year.  They grow well in a sunny sheltered position with reasonably well-drained soil.

Schizostylis coccinea Lisa Cox Garden Designs

Schizostylis Lisa Cox Garden Designs

I’m sure you’re aware by now that I love hydrangeas and the lace-cap specimens in the nursery were still flowering strongly. 

Lacecap hydrangea Lisa Cox Garden Designs

And the Anemone x hybrida ‘Honorine Jobert’ were still looking good too…

Anemone x hybrida Honorine Jobert Lisa Cox Garden Designs

But of course this is the time of year when many plants show off their amazing autumn foliage.  The most striking in the nursery was the Euonymus alatus which was already a bright crimson.

Euonymus alatus Lisa Cox Garden designs

This is the time of year it looks at its best, but when the leaves fall the bark is really interesting too.

Euonymus alatus bark Lisa Cox Garden Designs

Hope I’ve given you some inspiration for early autumn colour.  I’ll leave you with an image of a ground cover plant called Houttuynia cordata ‘Chameleon’.

Houttuynia cordata 'Chameleon' Lisa Cox Garden Designs

It prefers poorly drained soil in full sun or semi-shade but can be invasive so plant with care.

 

(Images: Lisa Cox)

 

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Lisa Cox Welcome

I specialise in helping families to turn their gardens into an extension of their home and into a space that can be used and enjoyed all year round.

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