Perennial Asters, Sedums and Japanese Anemones are all on full song. All are easy to grow and have a good long flowering season. They can be planted almost anytime of the year but inevitably you will notice them more in the garden centre when they are actually in flower. Local soils range from sandy acid, to heavy alkaline clay and shallow chalk. Any of them can be improved with some good organic matter to grow this collection of autumn beauties. Asters [Michaelmas Daisies] include a large range of hybrids and it is worth checking labels to see that you have what you want in terms of height and colour. The other factor with Asters is that they can be prone to disease, especially if they are growing in poor conditions and getting stressed. Aster novae-angliae, the New England Asters are generally taller and may need staking but produce lots of flowers that are very suitable for cutting. The Aster novi-belgii are usually shorter and have tough woody stems to keep them upright. Generally the species asters such as A. laterifolius and A. amellus are less prone to infection and  are worthy garden plants.

Sedums with their thick waxy leaves are very tolerant of dry conditions and many have lovely late summer flowers that especially attract the late feeding bees. Japanese Anemones, with their flowers held in above the foliage will do well in sun or part shade providing the soil is reasonable.