5 Flowers to Grow in September

September just always seems to arrive so quickly.  After the busy summer months, here we are, waiting a few more months for the most wonderful time of the year.  But for now, we have the ninth month in the Gregorian calendar to make the most of.  It is the start of a season filled with abundance, change, and beauty.  

This month is the perfect time to get your garden in order.  Manage soils, clean up garden beds, trim and prune hedges, and feed the lawn.  This is also an ideal time to make new plants from cuttings and plant new trees, evergreens, and a multitude of spring-flowering bulbs.  The temperate climate in the autumn season allows plants to have enough months to establish before the hot weather arrives during summer.

Ready for a September sow?  To help you identify which flowers to grow, we’re sharing our shortlist of the best flowers to sow in September.

Hyacinth.  The heavenly fragrance and rich colours of hyacinths make them truly attractive flowers.  Plant hyacinths in September for March/April flowers.  You can grow hyacinths indoors in containers or outdoors in beds and borders.  You can plant the bulbs individually or opt for clumps of the same variety for a more colourful display.

Make sure you plant the bulbs 4-5 inches deep.  The minimum gap between bulbs should be 3 inches.  This flowering bulb requires 10-12 weeks for proper root and shoot development.

Viola.  With their lovely colours, cheerful form, and long flowering season (early summer to early autumn), violas are worthy of a space in your garden.

Violas like moist, nutrient-rich soil and partial shade.  You can plant them 6-9 inches apart for a bolder display.  You can grow them in patios, containers, beds, and borders.

Hydrangea.  Take advantage of autumn’s naturally moist soil to plant this hardy shrub that delivers a great curb appeal.  Hydrangeas’ sculptural form and feminine elegance make them one of the most eye-catching flowers.  They come in different varieties and in a range of colours, including pink, blue, white, green, and all shades of purple.  The Hydrangea macrophylla, in particular, has a unique ability to change its flower’s colour depending on the soil’s pH level.

Hydrangeas grow well in moist but well-drained soil, in semi-shade positions.  They will thrive best in the cooler part of the garden, away from the scorching hot afternoon sun.  Ideally, plant them into a hole at least 2-3x the size of the root ball.  Make sure you don’t plant hydrangeas too deep into the ground.

Tulip.  Round out your spring garden with the elegance of tulips.  The months of September to November are ideal for planting tulip bulbs.  They will benefit from the cold period, although you still have to make sure they’re under a sunny spot.

You can grow them in pots or in the ground.  Dig a hole 3x as deep as the bulb’s height and position it with the pointy end up.  Plant bulbs 4-inches apart for them to not fight for nutrients.  Tulip bulbs will root properly in damp (not wet) soil so ensure good drainage.  Soggy soil is to be avoided at all costs.

Larkspurs.  Preparation is the key for some of the most beautiful cottage garden staples like larkspurs.  Sow larkspur seeds from September to October for a summer bloom.

You can use pots or seed trays with moist seed-sowing compost.  Grow larkspur under full sun but ensure that the soil remains slightly moist.  These blooms don’t grow well in hot and dry conditions.

Larkspurs also do not like root disturbance when growing so better wait for a mild January day to February to plant them out.  When the flower stems grow tall, support them using bamboo stakes.