Gardening Tips: 5 Perennials to Plant in October for a Colourful Small Garden

October is an excellent time to refresh a small garden with perennials. Discover five choices that bring colourful blooms, fragrant foliage and lasting appeal to outdoor spaces.

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Chrysanthemum

Chrysanthemums bring rich autumn colours to small gardens, with blooms in shades ranging from yellow and orange to pink and purple. Choose a sunny spot to encourage healthy flowering. Regular feeding and mulch around the base can help support the plants through colder weather.

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Catmint

Catmint is a spreading perennial with soft, silvery foliage and blue-lilac flowers. Its aromatic leaves release a pleasant scent when brushed against. Plant it along garden borders or pathways to add texture, colour and fragrance without taking up too much space.

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Hardy Geraniums

Hardy geraniums offer colourful flowers in shades of pink, white, blue and purple. Some varieties also have aromatic foliage that releases a herbal or earthy scent when touched. These versatile plants can add colour and ground-level interest to garden borders.

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Asters

Asters brighten autumn gardens with daisy-like flowers in shades of purple, blue, pink, red and white. Their contrasting yellow centres make the blooms especially eye-catching. October planting can work well when the soil is neither frozen nor waterlogged.

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Bluebeard

Bluebeard adds clusters of blue flowers and aromatic grey-green foliage to garden spaces. Its late-summer and autumn blooms can attract bees and butterflies. This compact shrub is a lovely option for adding colour without overwhelming a smaller garden.