Your Garden in August – A Florist’s View from A P Flowers
By A P Flowers
There’s something magical about your garden in August. The air is heavy with scent, the borders are brimming with colour, and the hum of bees seems louder now than at any other time of year. At A P Flowers, we take deep inspiration from the garden throughout the seasons, but August holds a special place in our hearts. It’s a month of abundance—a time when nature gives us its fullest expression before gently beginning the slow exhale into autumn.
In this blog, we’ll take you through what we’re loving in the garden this August—from cut flower favourites and seasonal stars to tips on keeping things thriving during the summer heat. Whether you’re a seasoned gardener, a floral enthusiast, or simply someone who loves being surrounded by nature’s beauty, we hope this glimpse into our garden will inspire and delight you.
The Height of the Flowering Season
By August, many flowers have reached their peak. It’s the time of year when garden beds and borders are at their fullest. At A P Flowers, our cutting garden is alive with colour and buzzing with pollinators. This is when we do a lot of harvesting for our seasonal arrangements and bespoke bouquets.
Some of our August favourites:
- Dahlias – The undeniable stars of the late-summer garden. From dinner-plate varieties to compact pom-poms, their colours range from soft pastels to vibrant oranges, reds, and purples.
- Zinnias – Bright, cheerful, and endlessly productive. Zinnias are wonderful as cut flowers and bring joy to every bouquet.
- Sunflowers – Nothing says late summer like a bold, golden sunflower.
- Cosmos – Light and airy with delicate petals and feathery foliage. Cosmos add movement and a touch of wild beauty to any bouquet.
- Rudbeckia and Echinacea – Hardy, vibrant, and brilliant for pollinators.
Tips for Your August Garden
Gardening in August can be a balancing act between abundance and maintenance. Here are a few of our go-to tips:
1. Deadhead Regularly
Removing spent blooms encourages many flowering plants—like dahlias and cosmos—to keep producing. RHS advice on deadheading supports this tried-and-true technique.
2. Water Wisely
Water deeply and early in the morning or late in the evening. Focus on the base of the plant to reduce water loss and fungal risk.
3. Support Tall Blooms
Stake tall plants like sunflowers and dahlias to prevent flopping—especially after summer storms.
4. Harvest for the Vase
Cut flowers early in the morning when they’re fully hydrated. This promotes more blooms and lets you enjoy them indoors.
Scent in the August Garden
Our August garden is filled with fragrance and texture. Here are a few scented favourites we grow:
- Lavender – Calming, aromatic, and great for drying.
- Mint, thyme, rosemary – Perfect for fragrance and companion planting.
- Phlox and sweet peas – Gorgeous scent, especially in the evening air.
We love blending these fragrant herbs and flowers into our seasonal bouquets at A P Flowers, combining visual beauty with sensory delight.
Wildlife in the Garden
August is rich in pollinator activity. Bees, butterflies, hoverflies—and even the occasional frog or toad—make their home among our blooms. According to The Wildlife Trusts, late-summer flowers are crucial for pollinator survival.
We grow:
- Echinacea
- Scabiosa
- Salvia
…all brilliant for supporting biodiversity.
Planning for Autumn
By mid-to-late August, we’re already sowing hardy annuals like calendula and ammi for an early start next spring. It’s also the perfect time to:
- Divide overgrown perennials
- Collect seeds
- Take softwood cuttings
This gentle transition is the ideal moment to plan ahead—both in the garden and in your home decor with a richer, early-autumn floral palette.
Create Your Own August Bouquet
A seasonal garden-style arrangement in August might include:
- Dahlias in peach, burgundy, or cream
- Sunflowers for cheer
- Cosmos or scabiosa for movement
- Grasses or fennel for structure
- Mint or scented pelargonium for fragrance
Or let us do the arranging—explore our Seasonal Bouquets Collection and enjoy the best of August delivered to your door.
Visit Us or Get in Touch
Want to learn more about how we grow and design with seasonal blooms? Book a private cutting garden tour or contact us to create your own bespoke floral experience.
👉 Contact A P Flowers
👉 Explore Our Seasonal Flowers
You can also follow us on Instagram or Facebook for behind-the-scenes garden content and weekly bouquet inspiration.
Final Thoughts: August is the Garden’s Love Song
August is a moment of grace in the year—still vibrant, not yet fading. It’s the garden’s peak before the quiet of autumn, and at A P Flowers, we treasure every bloom, every buzz of the bees, every sunrise over the dahlias.
Whether you’re a grower, a buyer, or simply a flower lover, we hope this glimpse into our August garden brings you joy—and inspires you to fill your space with colour, fragrance, and seasonal beauty.
