Quick answer: What to plant in August includes hardy perennials, established shrubs, late-season flowers, fruit plants and container-ready varieties that can settle into warm soil before autumn arrives.
August can feel like the final stretch of summer, with most people finishing off their holidays and families getting ready for the next school year. But it is also one of the most useful months for refreshing a UK garden. The soil is still warm from the earlier part of the season and daylight hours are long enough to support new growth, along with many garden-ready plants establishing quickly when planted with care. Instead of waiting until spring, August gives gardeners the chance to fill gaps, add colour, build structure and prepare borders for a stronger display the following year.
This is especially helpful if your garden has started to look tired after the main flush of summer. Some bedding may be fading, containers may need lifting, and borders can start to feel patchy. The key is choosing strong, garden-ready plants with established roots, then supporting them with regular watering and simple soil preparation.
Perennials are among the best choices for August planting because they return year after year. They are ideal for gardeners who want long-term value, reliable colour and borders that only get better with time. In August, the soil is warm enough to encourage root growth, which gives many hardy perennials a useful head start before autumn.
Good options include:
Echinacea
Rudbeckia
Penstemon
Heuchera
These plants add late-season colour, support pollinators and build stronger root systems for future displays. Choose healthy, well-rooted plants, water deeply after planting and keep an eye on them during hot spells.
Shrubs are excellent for adding structure, height and year-round interest. August is a practical time to plant container-grown shrubs because the soil is still workable and warm. This allows roots to begin spreading before the colder months.
Popular options include:
Lavender
Hebes
Skimmia
Various other evergreen shrubs.
Hydrangeas add generous blooms and soft colour, lavender suits sunny borders, and hebes or skimmia provide evergreen shape.
Shrubs need consistent moisture while they establish, especially in August when dry spells are common. Before planting, soak the root ball, dig a hole wider than the pot, and mix in compost if the soil is poor. After planting, firm the soil gently and add mulch.
August flowers can refresh tired displays and extend vibrant colour well into autumn. It is a good time to plant varieties that are already growing strongly and can provide immediate impact.
Great choices include:
Pansies and violas are useful towards the end of August, as they can continue flowering into cooler weather. Asters and chrysanthemums bring rich seasonal colour, while dahlias can keep producing blooms until the first frosts if cared for properly.
Deadhead spent flowers regularly and feed container flowers with a balanced liquid feed to help maintain colour and growth.
Fruit plants can also be planted in August, particularly container-grown varieties. By planting now, you give them a chance to settle before winter and prepare for stronger growth next year.
Strawberry plants are a popular choice because they can establish well before the following growing season. Blueberries, raspberries and currants can also be planted if they are supplied in pots and watered carefully. Blueberries need acidic soil, so they are often best grown in containers filled with ericaceous compost.
Most fruit plants need sunlight, shelter from strong winds and well-draining soil. Watering is important during the first few weeks, as dry roots can slow establishment.
Pots and containers are perfect for August planting because they allow you to refresh patios, balconies, doorways and small gardens quickly. They are also easier to manage because you can control the compost, drainage and position of each plant.
Good container choices include:
Lavender
Heuchera
Compact hebes
Pansies
Violas
Cyclamen
Herbs such as rosemary, thyme and sage.
These plants add colour, scent, texture and structure without needing a large border.
The main challenge with containers in August is moisture. Pots dry out faster than borders, especially in warm or windy weather. Use good-quality compost, check drainage holes are clear, and water regularly.
|
Category |
Best plants |
Result |
|
Perennials |
Salvia, echinacea, rudbeckia, hardy geraniums |
Long-lasting colour and stronger displays next year |
|
Shrubs |
Hydrangeas, lavender, hebes, skimmia |
Structure, height and year-round interest |
|
Flowers |
Pansies, violas, asters, chrysanthemums |
Fresh colour from late summer into autumn |
|
Fruit plants |
Strawberries, blueberries, raspberries, currants |
Establishment before next year’s harvest |
|
Containers |
Heuchera, cyclamen, herbs, ornamental grasses |
Instant patio, balcony and doorway impact |
Planting in August is not difficult, but the right care makes a big difference. Warm soil is helpful, but dry weather, strong sun and pests can place stress on new plants. A little extra attention at planting time can help roots settle quickly.
Watering is the most important part of planting in August. New plants need moisture around the roots, not just a quick splash over the surface. Before planting, water the plant in its pot. After planting, water deeply so the surrounding soil is evenly moist.
For the first few weeks, check the soil regularly; containers especially, as they may need watering every day during hot spells. Early-morning or evening watering is best because less moisture is lost to evaporation.
Good soil gives plants a stronger start. Remove weeds before planting so new plants do not have to compete for water and nutrients. Loosen compacted soil with a fork and mix in compost or soil improver where needed.
For borders, make the planting hole slightly wider than the root ball. For containers, choose fresh compost and avoid reusing tired compost from old displays unless it has been refreshed. After planting, firm the soil gently and add mulch around the base.
Late summer pests can still cause problems. Slugs, snails, aphids and vine weevil can all affect young or newly planted plants. Check leaves, stems and compost regularly, especially in damp or shaded areas.
Encouraging natural predators, removing damaged leaves and keeping plants healthy can reduce pest pressure. Strong plants are usually more resilient, so correct watering and good soil care are part of pest protection too.
Although August is a useful planting month for plenty of stunning garden additions, not every plant is suitable. Some plants need more warmth and growing time than August can offer, while others are better planted during dormancy.
Tender summer crops such as tomatoes, cucumbers, courgettes and peppers are usually not worth starting outdoors in August. They need a long warm season to crop properly, and by late summer there may not be enough time left for them to establish, flower and fruit.
It’s better to spend time on plants that can establish now and perform into autumn or return next year. This makes better use of the season and gives more reliable results.
Bare-root plants are generally best planted when dormant, usually from late autumn through winter. August is not the right time because bare-root plants have no soil around their roots and can dry out quickly in warm weather.
If you want to plant shrubs, fruit or hedging in August, choose container-grown plants instead. They are already rooted in compost and are much better suited to late-summer planting.
Conclusion
August is a valuable month for UK gardeners. It offers warm soil, useful growing time and the chance to refresh spaces that may be fading after summer. By choosing the right plants, you can add colour, structure, fruit potential and container interest while giving roots time to settle before autumn.
The best approach is to focus on strong, garden-ready plants such as hardy perennials, container-grown shrubs, late-season flowers, fruit plants and patio-friendly varieties. Water them well, prepare the soil properly and protect them from pests while they establish.
Garden-ready plants are a practical choice for August because they are already established and ready to settle into borders, beds and containers. This is valuable at the end of summer, when smaller or weaker plants may struggle with dry soil and fluctuating temperatures.
One Click Plants offers a convenient way to choose plants that suit the season, whether you are refreshing containers, adding late colour, improving borders or planning for next year. Instead of starting from seed or waiting for small plugs to mature, garden-ready plants help you achieve a fuller look more quickly.
This is ideal for busy gardeners, new gardeners and anyone who wants reliable results without overcomplicating the process. With the right plant choices and good aftercare, August planting can make a garden feel brighter now while supporting healthier growth in the months ahead.
For more useful guides about all sorts of different gardening tasks, take a visit to our Knowledge Hub today. It’s packed with informative pieces just like this one for gardeners of all experience levels.
Yes, August is a good time to plant many garden-ready plants in the UK. The soil is still warm, which helps roots establish, but plants will need regular watering during dry spells.
Some of the best plants to plant in August include hardy perennials, container-grown shrubs, pansies, violas, asters, strawberries, blueberries, herbs and ornamental grasses.
Hardy perennials such as salvia, echinacea, rudbeckia, hardy geraniums and heuchera can be planted in August. Evergreen shrubs such as hebes and skimmia are also good choices.
You can plant throughout August as long as the ground is workable and you can keep new plants watered. Late August is often suitable for autumn colour plants such as pansies, violas and cyclamen.
Avoid planting tender summer crops too late, letting new plants dry out, using poor soil, ignoring pests and planting bare-root plants before their proper dormant season.
