There’s till time to take inspiration from some of the most beautiful gardens open to the public in late summer, when dahlias, grasses and other perennials come into their own.
As summer fades to autumn, and the colours in the garden continue to brighten up the shorter days, you’ll find hot reds and oranges from dahlias and ginger lilies, cooling blues of agapanthus, and the changing forms and hues of ornamental grasses.
Best UK gardens to visit in late summer
Here are some gardens which have spectacular features in late summer.
1. Beningbrough Hall, Yorkshire
This Italian-inspired hall is surrounded by eight acres of formal gardens, a working walled kitchen garden boasting over 50 varieties of apples and pears and a south border showcasing vibrant and prolonged colour – with plenty of dahlias blooming in late summer.
Lady Chesterfield, the last private owner of Beningbrough, was a race horse breeder and liked this border to look its best in time for her guests visiting for the St. Leger horse race in September – hence why it’s also known as the St. Leger border.
Visit: nationaltrust.org.uk/beningbrough-hall-gallery-and-gardens
2. Powis Castle and Garden, Powys, Wales
Late summer sees a riot of colour throughout the garden at Powis Castle. In September and October, the lowest of the terrace borders is full of salvias, sedums, asters and tall, deep-blue aconites. As the months move on, the lower slopes of the garden also begin to display their autumn colours, with maples and acers glowing striking shades of gold, orange and yellow in the sunshine.
Visit: nationaltrust.org.uk/powis-castle-and-garden
3. Sizergh, Cumbria
In summer, the herbaceous border at Sizergh is full of interesting and unusual perennials, backed by clematis and roses, while the grapes developing on the Fruit Wall provide a backdrop to the patchwork of stunning dahlia blooms. Even as autumn approaches, the kitchen garden remains busy, full of tasty produce that will be used in the café.
Visit: nationaltrust.org.uk/sizergh
4. Scampston Walled Garden, Malton, North Yorkshire
This stunning contemporary garden designed by the renowned Dutch plantsman, Piet Oudolf, features modern, perennial meadow planting alongside more traditional areas in a series of garden rooms.
Set within the 18th century walls of the original kitchen garden for Scampston Hall, today the Walled Garden has an exciting and unashamedly modern feel and complements the adjacent 18th century Capability Brown parkland. The Drifts of Grass ‘room’ comes into its own late summer and early autumn, as the grass changes from purple to autumnal oranges.
Visit: scampston.co.uk
5. The Savill Garden, Windsor Great Park, Berkshire
Sir Eric Savill first created this woodland garden in the 1930s, and since then many others have undertaken a tireless quest to add their own expertise and creativity to The Savill Garden, pushing the boundaries of its design.
At this time of year, soak in the glory of the vibrant twin Herbaceous Borders, the huge drifts of Hydrangea paniculata in Summer Wood and the pastel tranquillity of the Golden Jubilee Garden. Due to the scorching summer, some autumn bulbs are already showing, while there are also autumnal tints on some of the acers and various trees are already in berry.
Visit: windsorgreatpark.co.uk/en/experiences/the-savill-garden
6. Sissinghurst Castle Garden, Kent
Vita Sackville-West was a lover of single-toned gardens, which can be seen in abundance at Sissinghurst. While the White Garden flourishes in the peak garden months of June and July, as the year moves on, the real highlight is the ‘hot’ South Cottage Garden. Full of Dahlias, cannas, and roses, this garden is a real riot of red and gold tones in late summer and autumn.
Visit: nationaltrust.org.uk/sissinghurst-castle-garden
7. Mottistone Gardens, Isle of Wight
With its warm, sheltered location, Mottistone provides the perfect setting for flowers to blossom well into September and even early autumn. You’ll find exotic-looking Abysinnian banana plants and fragrant ginger lilies, interspersed with feathery African grasses.
In August, the agapanthus and dahlias are at their colourful best, but when the final days of summer arrive the vivid scarlet and purple flowers of the ‘Mrs Popple’ fuchsia take over, edging the paths to the tea-garden with bright, cheery colour.
Visit: nationaltrust.org.uk/mottistone-gardens-and-estate
Read more: 7 late-flowering plants to make summer last
