Nothing in Basket!
What's Happening in Christina's Suffolk Garden: September 2026.
- Location: Suffolk
- Conditions: Extended heatwaves, drought, sandy soil
- Garden Stars: Buddleia, Gaura, Penstemons, Erigeron, Cosmos, Coneflowers, Blanket flowers, Blue Flax and Drought-Tolerant Mix
- Wildlife Visitors: Deer, Hedgehogs, Hummingbird hawk-moths, Emperor dragonflies, bats, hoverflies, shield bugs and songbirds to name a few
Towards the end of August, we were finally blessed with a full day of rain, alongside a few welcome showers. That brief downpour brought the entire garden back to life instantly. Plants simply thrive on rainwater in a way tap water can never replicate.
Taking advantage of the damp soil, I planted out every remaining potted plant into the garden beds, packing them tightly together to create shade over the earth. I noticed earlier this summer that one heavily packed border needed zero watering during the drought, whereas the rest of the garden struggled under the hosepipe ban. Dense planting protects soil moisture, cuts down on watering, and gives weeds no room to breathe.
Late Summer Bloomers & Autumn Sowing Preparations
Right now in early September, the stars of the show are the Buddleia, Mexican Fleabane (Erigeron), Cosmos, Coneflowers, Gaura, and Penstemons. I am continuing to deadhead the Buddleia to prolong its nectar supply for passing pollinators. Meanwhile, the Blanket flowers and Blue Flax are spreading happily, dropping fresh seeds that I am leaving to self-seed naturally for next spring.
Given the extreme heatwaves we experienced this year, we are shifting our core strategy: sowing seeds and establishing new plants in Autumn rather than Spring. Getting seeds in the ground now allows roots to establish during the cooler, wetter months, giving them a massive head start before summer heat returns.
I have already prepped a brand-new border under the front windows, safely positioned away from the public footpath where dog walkers and flower pickers used to pass. I've planted Salvia 'Caradonna' and raked the soil into a fine tilth, ready for autumn sowing.
Sow This Now: If your garden faces hot summers, sandy soil, or dry borders, sowing drought-tolerant mixes in September is the secret to success.
Borders, Berries, and Wildlife Spotting
Our boundary pyracantha bushes are laden with ripe red and orange berries, which our local deer have been quietly enjoying in the early morning hours. In the back garden, woodpigeons have moved into the larger pyracantha tree, stripping it clean.
Down at ground level, our regular visitor, a surprisingly large hedgehog, is still doing its nightly rounds. I don't feed it artificially; a healthy wildlife garden with a pond provides all the natural insects and clean water it needs. A Wren visits several times a day to hunt through the dense foliage, a Robin surveys his territory from above, and my phone app consistently detects Goldcrests nearby, even if they remain hidden in the canopy.
Dragonflies continue to use our small pond as a hunting station. I love sitting back to watch them launch from a favourite perch, snatch a bug mid-air, and return to digest their catch. Shield bugs are everywhere this season, and as September progresses, Orb spiders are weaving intricate webs across the plant stems.
Lessons Learned: Getting the Right Plant in the Right Place
Removing the invasive Cherry Laurels along our boundary has proved to be a resounding success. We had a few stubborn shoots regrow from shallow surface roots, but once dug out, they haven't returned. The Laurels were the hidden culprit behind why nothing would grow on two sides of our garden.
Without them leeching every drop of moisture and nutrients, the borders have done exceptionally well despite heatwaves and hosepipe bans. It is proof that choosing the right plant for your specific conditions really works. And since a wildlife garden thrives when left to its own devices, my forced stay indoors during the worst of the heat actually gave nature the peace it needed to flourish.
Create Your Own Bee & Butterfly Haven: Prepare your borders now for a spectacular show next spring. Shop Bee & Butterfly Wildflower Seed Mix