How to keep your garden full of colour from summer into autumn

A gentle guide to refreshing tired borders and extending interest into the second half of the year.

Once June and July have passed, many gardens reach a familiar turning point.

The early flush of spring and early summer flowers has faded. Perennials that looked full and lush just weeks ago are looking leggy and tired. And somewhere along the way, everything seems to settle into one shade - green.

It's one of the most common things I hear from people at this time of year. Their garden is lacking colour, and they're not quite sure what to do about it.

If that's where you are right now, you're not doing anything wrong. This is simply a natural pause in the gardening year, and it happens to almost every garden around this time. Try to see it as an invitation to step in and make a few small, well timed changes. With the right attention now, your garden can carry colour and interest right through the second half of summer and into autumn.