SEASON'S riches

Savour the garden's last hurrah with great-performing perennials

- CHRIS MORLEY

Rich list

September is usually a generous month, when mild temperatures and warm soil still have the upper hand. All it takes is a shock of autumn chill, boisterous winds or an icy finger of frost, and it's game over. Until then, make the most the garden's final flourish with perennials that bring energy and richness to borders and pots.

Daisy days

These circles of joy are a staple now. Plant them in exuberant clumps, in a spot where golden sunrays set the flowers aglow. Go for bold reds and yellows, or softer blues and pinks:

* Hot brights for full sun Sneezeweed (Helenium) has burnished central cones that complement the warm tints of autumn foliage. 'Moerheim Beauty' (H. 90cm) has a skirt of drooping petals in copper-red, while 'Sahin's Early Flowerer' (H. 80cm) is a mixture of yellow, orange and red.

* Cooler pastels for light shade Aster (Symphyotrichum) 'Little Carlow' (H. 1.2m) has clouds of lilac-blue, gold-centred flowers, while 'Chatterbox' (H. 40cm) is the colour of pink sugar mice.

MOP TOPS