Refresh your plant pots and garden borders with fiery crocosmias | Weekend

Many gardens will no doubt look a little spent by now. It’s a tricky time of year, but this season has been particularly short because the hot, dry summer led to most flowering plants peaking earlier than usual.

There are, however, many perennial stalwarts to turn to that, once planted, will return every year to help your garden go out with a bang rather than a fizzle. They can also be bought and popped in now as a quick fix. If watered regularly (during dry spells) until their foliage dies back in autumn, over winter they’ll put on strong root growth and then come back year on year.

Crocosmia ‘Lucifer’

MARIANNE MAJERUS GARDEN IMAGES

Crocosmias (commonly called montbretia) are a fine choice for late summer. Their arching sprays of spicy-coloured flowers