Keep staking perennials

Save seeds from the heads of grasses that may not survive the winter. Ornamental grasses such as pennisetum are marginally tender and particularly susceptible to frost damage when grown in heavy soil.

Make sure your borders look as colourful as possible by promptly deadheading this month to encourage more blooms. Annuals such as cosmos and pot marigolds can run out of steam this month if the flower

In your flower garden

With AG’s gardening expert Ruth Hayes

Throughout August I cut the box hedges that give shape to the vegetable garden. They’re just under waist height but that’s enough to protect most plants from the wind and they are a good dark backgrou

Liz Zorab picks her favourite self-seeding and spreading plants for easier gardening