As vibrant summer flowers begin to fade, September brings a new season of jobs to do in the garden. At Hilltop Garden Centre, we've been helping gardens and homes thrive for over 75 years. Whether you're a seasoned gardener or just starting out, we’re here to offer advice, inspiration, and a friendly hand as you prepare your garden for autumn. In this post, we’ll share our essential gardening tips for September, along with a special spotlight on our plant of the month – Japanese Anemones. Let’s dive in!
1. Plant of the Month: Japanese Anemones
Add colour and beauty to your garden this autumn with Japanese Anemones. These hardy perennials offer delicate, saucer-shaped flowers in varying shades of pink and white on tall, wistful stems, bringing a late-season burst of colour to your borders. Japanese Anemones are the perfect choice for brightening up your garden as summer flowers start to fade.
Why you need to plant Japanese Anemones
Japanese Anemones are a fantastic addition to any garden. Not only are they beautiful, but they’re also easy to care for and incredibly resilient. They thrive in partial shade, making them a great option for those tricky spots in your garden where other plants may struggle, but you can also plant them in full sun. Plus, they’re rabbit, slug and snail resistant, so you won’t have to worry about these creatures nibbling on your blooms. They will grow to approx 80cm high x 45cm across, and flower from late summer through to the autumn months.
How to plant and care for Japanese Anemones
It's best to plant your Japanese Anemones during September. These gorgeous perennials love rich, moist but well drained soil, so if you do plant them in a sunny spot make sure they are kept well watered. Dig a hole twice the size of the plant’s root ball, dig in plenty of our Rocket Gro organic compost to improve soil quality (not just in the hole but in the surrounding soil as well), and place the plant in the hole, covering the roots with soil. Water well and add a layer of mulch to retain moisture.
Japanese Anemones do have a tendency to spread (free plants!), so expect lots more in your garden every year after planting them. You can also grow new plants from root cuttings during the autumn months, or simply wait for them to self seed.
Japanese Anemones pair beautifully with other autumnal plants like Asters, Sedum, and ornamental grasses. They also work well in a mixed border, adding height and texture to your planting scheme. Be sure to deadhead spent flowers to encourage more blooms, and divide the clumps every few years to keep them thriving.
2. Plant spring flowering bulbs
September to November (depending on the variety) is the perfect time to start planting spring-flowering bulbs. By getting them in the ground this month, you’ll ensure a spectacular display come springtime. Some of the most popular choices at Hilltop include daffodils, dwarf irises, narcissus, tulips, crocuses, alliums and indoor hyacinths - we now have a fantastic selection that's just arrived in store. Spring flowering bulbs are easy to plant and will reward you with beautiful colour in your garden come early spring when there isn't much else in flower. Plant them to add a burst of colour to your borders, containers, and even your lawn. They’re low maintenance, and once planted, you can sit back and wait for the magic to happen!
How to plant spring flowering bulbs
For the best display, plant bulbs in groups of at least six, or for a display to really turn heads, plant in swathes of up to 50 bulbs. Here's how to plant them in borders:
- Choose a sunny spot with well-drained soil
- Bulbs should be planted at a depth of about two to three times their height (for example, if your bulb is 5cm tall, plant it 10-15cm deep), so dig a hole big enough to accommodate each bulb.
- Add Rocket Gro organic compost to the soil for added nutrients.
- Place the bulb at the bottom of the hole with the shoot facing up
- Cover with the soil you removed from the hole and firm down gently.
Make sure to space the bulbs according to the instructions on the packaging to allow for growth: as a guide, space bulbs twice the width of the bulb apart. If the soil is moist you shouldn't need to water them, but if the soil is dry water immediately after planting.
How to plant bulbs in pots
If you want to plant your bulbs in pots or containers, use one part grit and three parts Rocket Gro multi-purpose compost with added John Innes. Plant bulbs at three times their depth and one bulb width apart, then water after planting and regularly during growth. Reduce watering as the leaves die down, but check pots in winter to prevent them from drying out completely. To encourage flowering the following year, feed bulbs with Tomorite liquid tomato feed every 7-10 days from when shoots appear until the foliage dies back.
3. Freshen up summer containers with pansies and violas
As summer blooms start to fade, September is a great time to freshen up your containers and hanging baskets with garden pansies and violas. These cheerful flowers are perfect for adding colour to your outdoor space during the cooler months.
Why you need to plant pansies and violas
Pansies and violas are hardy, reliable, and come in a wide range of stunning colours. They can withstand cooler temperatures, making them ideal for autumn and winter displays. Plus, they’re easy to care for – just plant them in well-drained soil, water regularly, and deadhead spent flowers to encourage continuous blooming.
Where to plant them
These versatile plants are perfect for containers, hanging baskets, and borders. You can also plant them alongside your spring bulbs for a layered effect that will carry your garden through to spring.
4. What to plant in September
September is a great time to plant perennials and hardy annuals that will provide colour and interest in your garden throughout the autumn months. Some top choices at Hilltop Garden Centre include Asters and Mini Cyclamen.
Asters:
Asters, or Michaelmas Daisies, are known for their daisy-like flowers that bloom in shades of purple, pink, and white. They’re perfect for adding late-season colour to your garden and are a favourite among pollinators like bees and butterflies. Plant them in a sunny spot with moist but well-drained soil, and water regularly until established.
Mini Cyclamen:
Mini Cyclamen are another great choice for autumn planting. These small, hardy plants produce delicate, butterfly-like flowers in shades of pink, red, and white. They’re ideal for containers, window boxes, and rock gardens. Plant them in a cool, shady spot with well-drained soil, and water sparingly.
Garden Heathers:
Garden Heather (Calluna vulgaris) 'Garden Girls Series' is a fantastic addition to any garden, especially for summer and autumn colour. They are perfect for rock gardens, cottage garden planting, slopes and for adding ground cover as they are low-growing. These hardy, evergreen shrubs are known for their vibrant, long-lasting delicate buds in shades of pink, red, and white, adding year-round interest to your garden. They thrive in acidic, moist but well-drained soil, and prefer a sunny or partially shaded spot. This month, Hilltop's Reward Club members can take a Garden Heather home for free, when they spend £10 or more on anything in-store.
To plant, dig a hole twice the size of the root ball and mix in our Rocket Gro Ericaceous Organic Compost. Water well after planting. Heather is low-maintenance — just trim back in early spring to encourage new growth and keep it looking tidy.
Other great plants to consider for September include ornamental grasses and other perennials. These plants will add texture, colour, and interest to your garden as the seasons change.
5. Other jobs to do in the garden in September
September is a busy month in the garden, as you start to prepare for the colder months ahead. Here are some essential tasks to tackle this month:
Lawn care:
Now is the time to give your lawn some TLC. Scarify the grass to remove any dead thatch, aerate to improve drainage, and apply a lawn feed to keep it healthy throughout the autumn and winter months. You may also want to reseed any bare patches.
Pruning and tidying up:
Prune back summer-flowering shrubs like lavender, buddleia, and hydrangeas to encourage healthy growth next year. It’s also a good time to tidy up your borders, removing any dead or diseased plants and cutting back perennials that have finished flowering.
Harvesting:
If you’ve been growing your own fruit and vegetables, now is the time to start harvesting. Pick your apples, pears, and late-season vegetables like pumpkins, squash, and beans. You can also start to dig up any remaining potatoes.
Composting:
As you tidy up your garden, make sure to add any garden waste to your compost bin. September is a great time to start building up your compost heap with fallen leaves, grass clippings, and plant material. By next spring, you’ll have a rich, nutrient-dense compost to use in your garden.
Visit Hilltop Garden Centre Clacton for all your September gardening needs
At Hilltop Garden Centre just outside Clacton on Sea in Essex, we’re here to help you make the most of your garden all year round. Whether you’re looking for Japanese Anemones, spring flowering bulbs, or autumn plants like Asters and Mini Cyclamen, we’ve got everything you need to keep your garden looking its best. Don’t forget to stock up on our Rocket Gro organic compost and Tomorite liquid feed to give your plants the best possible start.
If you’re in the Clacton area, be sure to stop by and visit us. We’re proud to be a trusted garden centre in Clacton, offering not just plants, but also gardening advice, and a welcoming cafe restaurant where you can relax after a day of gardening or to catch up with friends. We look forward to seeing you soon!
