October Plant of the Month – Schizostylis (Kaffir lily)

Schizostylis, or Kaffir lilies, are great additions to any late season borders. They produce beautiful copper red flowers that start the day weighed down by dewdrops and as the day progresses open up to face the midday sun. They are perfectly suited to the mixture of seasons we often see at this time of year; cold mornings, a burst of summer by midday, then slipping back to autumn later on.

Schizostylis is a hardy plant that likes full sun and a moist, but well drained soil. Suitable soil types are: Sandy/Light or Chalky/Alkaline. It will grow to a height of around 60cm with a spread of about 30cm.

Stiff upright stems with copper/orange and pale pink flowers that grow out from clumps of sword-shaped mid-green leaves. It can also provide a nice supply of cut-flowers for use indoors.

What to do in your garden in October

September gave us lovely warm sunny days but now that we’re into October we’ve definitely seen a change. It feels colder, wetter and the leaves on the trees are changing to their lovely autumn colours. It’s a busy time in our gardens right now from harvesting summer crops to pruning back seasonal growth and planting for the year ahead. Here’s our suggestion for your gardening to do list this October:

General

  • Regularly clear up fallen leaves from your lawn but fallen leaves on borders can be left to rot down
  • Cut back perennials
  • Move any tender plants in to the greenhouse or bring indoors
  • Plant our spring cabbages
  • Harvest the last of the apples, pears and any other fruits still on the plants
  • Prune climbing roses
  • Order seeds and start planning for next year
  • Mow lawns for the last time this year
  • Last chance to trim hedges
  • Lay turf and plant grass seeds
  • Keep on weeding and have a gentle tidy up in your borders

Soil
Start digging in compost, manure and as much organic matter as you can lay your hands on to replace the goodness in it.

Birds
Start putting out food and fresh water for birds – it will help them to build up their reserves for winter.

Lawns

  • Keep off your lawns if they are sodden
  • Continue to cut if growing once every 2 weeks and with blades on a high setting
  • New lawns – Last chance to plant grass seeds and the best time to lay turf

Flowers

  • Protect half-hardy plants with fleece or bring into a frost-free greenhouse
  • Plant daffodil bulbs, tulip bulbs and Allium bulbs for a glorious spring display
  • Plant bare-root ornamental trees and shrubs
  • Plant spring bedding such as wallflowers, Bellis, Primulas and winter pansies for a fantastic spring display
  • Autumn is the ideal time to plant Clematis plants

Need more advice? Post a question on our Facebook page or pop into the garden centre and talk to a member of our experienced garden team.