11-08-2025
5 plants to add to your garden now so it's a paradise in autumn- including stunning silver shrub that thrives in winter
GARDEN lovers are urged to plant five plants this August, to transform their outdoor space into an autumn paradise.
Now that we're in the final few weeks of summer, you may think it's time to hang up your gardening gloves for the year.
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However, there are plenty of gorgeous flowers that will continue blooming in to autumn, and can even survive the harsh winter months.
Salvia
From vibrant purples to striking yellows, their diverse range of colours makes salvias the perfect plant to spruce up your autumn garden.
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August is the perfect time to plant the pretty flowers, giving them time to establish roots before the cold of winter.
You can pick up salvia from Wilko for just £7.99.
Senecio viravira (Dusty Miller)
Known for their gorgeous silver leaves, senecio viravira is a hardy plant that will make your outside space look like a magical haven.
Throughout summer and autumn, the plant boasts gorgeous yellow flowers, and if looked after properly it can survive winter.
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You can purchase Dusty Miller plants from eBay for £9.99.
Pansies
Pansies hate the heat, so planting them in August is a great way to get gorgeous blooms that will last until the first winter frost.
Their gorgeous multi-coloured flowers will then pop up again in spring, turning your garden in a colourful oasis.
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You can pick a tray of pansies up from Ikea for just £3.50.
Wake up to a weed-free lawn for months thanks to Aldi's £10 gadget that pulls them out without bending or kneeling down
Dahlias
Dahlias are a firm favourite for gardening fans, thanks to their pom pom like blooms, which come in a wide range of vibrant colours.
Plant orange, red and yellow blooms now for a gorgeous autumn garden display, that will last until October.
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You can pick up dahlias from B&Q for £9.89.
Hardy Fushcia
Fuschias have elegant, fairy-like flowers that add a whimsical air to any garden.
August gardening jobs
The Sun's Gardening Editor, Veronica Lorraine, has shared the 10 gardening jobs to take on during the last month of summer - and the all important ones to remember if you're going on holiday.
1. Watering plants on holiday
Think about how you're going to water your plants if you're going away. Irrigation systems are stupidly expensive - so ask a friend or neighbour to pop over.
2. Remember your houseplants!
For houseplants use the upside down bottle trick - where you fill a wine bottle and then tip it upside down, spout down, and stick it into the pot - the water should seep out slowly. For smaller plants you can use a thick piece of cord running from a glass of water, into the soil - so it slowly takes it up over time. Be sensible with your watering - vistit for some tips on how to conserve water in August. But use as much grey water - ie washing up water - as you can to save such a valuable resource.
3. Dig for potatoes
Second early potatoes should be ready to dig up.
4. Carry on deadheading
Use either secateurs or just pinch off the blooms with your finger and thumb. With roses, make sure you're dead heading back to a set of five leaves, giving you the best chance of more blooms.
5. Plant strawberries
You can actually plant strawberries in late august - which will be ready next year. For the ones you already have - if they've got runners springing off them - try and pot them up to make more strawberries for free.
6. Prune lavenders
In late August once they've finished flowering cut back your lavender - always prune them back to the woody stems - but make sure you can still see some little buds.
7. Collect seeds
A lot of plants will start going to seed now - so it's the perfect time to walk around collecting them to get free plants for next year - just make sure you label the envelopes.
8. Sow hardy annuals
Towards the end of the month, sow hardy annuals in order for them to flower next year. Try and choose sheltered spots for them.
9. Cut back roses
Prune back rambling roses and make sure they are all tied in. And in late August give your roses their last feed.
10. Keep on top of watering hanging baskets
It's really important to keep hanging baskets hydrated - they are the first and the worst for drying out.
The hardy blooms will flower until the first frost of winter, so are perfect for planting this august.
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You can snap up a fuchsia from B&Q for £18.99.
