Autumn Interest
As the vibrant hues of summer give way to the warm and earthy tones of autumn, it's time to transform your garden into a breath taking seasonal spectacle. These plants will provide your garden with great interest during the Autumn months. We've carefully selected a few of our favourite plants for Autumn interest, but if you wish to see our full range, then please visit your local branch of Thompson's.
1. Heuchera
Heuchera is a versatile perennial prized for its colourful, often ruffled foliage, which ranges from deep purples and reds to silvers and greens. In addition to its attractive leaves, Heuchera produces delicate, airy spikes of small bell-shaped flowers in late spring to summer, adding texture and movement to borders or containers. Thriving in partial shade and well-drained soil, it is low-maintenance and ideal for underplanting, woodland gardens, or mixed perennial beds. Its combination of striking foliage and subtle flowers makes Heuchera a year-round ornamental asset in the garden.
2. Sedum
Sedum, commonly known as stonecrop, is a hardy, drought-tolerant succulent valued for its fleshy leaves and clusters of star-shaped flowers that bloom from late summer into autumn. Its low-maintenance nature and ability to thrive in poor, well-drained soils make it ideal for rock gardens, borders, and container plantings. Many varieties also attract pollinators such as bees and butterflies, adding ecological as well as visual interest. With a range of heights, leaf colours, and flower hues, sedum provides texture, colour, and resilience, making it a reliable choice for both formal and informal garden designs
3. Berberis
Berberis, commonly known as barberry, is a versatile deciduous or evergreen shrub valued for its colourful foliage, bright berries, and architectural form. Many varieties display striking leaf colours, from deep purple and red to golden hues, which change with the seasons, while small yellow flowers in spring give way to vibrant berries that attract birds. Hardy and adaptable, berberis thrives in sun or partial shade and is often used for hedges, borders, or as a specimen plant. Its combination of low maintenance, seasonal interest, and wildlife appeal makes it a popular choice for a wide range of garden settings.
4. Festuca (Ornamental grass)
Festuca Commonly known as fescue, is a clumping ornamental grass prized for its fine-textured, blue-grey foliage and tidy, compact habit. Often used in borders, rock gardens, or as groundcover, it provides year-round structure and a soft, flowing contrast to bolder plants. Low-maintenance and drought-tolerant once established, Festuca thrives in full sun and well-drained soil. Its graceful, arching leaves and subtle seasonal interest make it a versatile choice for adding texture, colour, and movement to both formal and naturalistic garden designs.
5. Hebe Autumn Glory
Hebe ‘Autumn Glory’ is an evergreen shrub admired for its compact, bushy habit and striking seasonal interest. In late summer to autumn, it produces spikes of deep purple flowers that attract bees and butterflies, while its glossy green leaves often develop a reddish tinge in cooler months. Hardy and low-maintenance, it thrives in full sun or partial shade and well-drained soil, making it ideal for borders, containers, or mixed shrub plantings. Its combination of colourful flowers, year-round foliage, and wildlife appeal makes Hebe ‘Autumn Glory’ a reliable and attractive addition to the garden.
