I’m always keeping my eyes out for good late planting for bees in London. I’m happy to say it’s in abundance around St Paul’s cathedral and King’s Cross this August and September. Above is a plot bursting with Lily turf (Liriope muscari) and Japanese anemone (Anemone x hybrida) in pink and white. If you prefer more fiery colours for late boarders there are plenty of bee-friendly flowers to choose from.

Hot orange dahlias and Cosmos sulphureus – a new Cosmos for me – attract the bumblebees in front of St Paul’s, and swaths of Rudbekia are visited by solitary bees and hoverflies.

Masses of asters that flower much earlier than the traditional Michaelmas daises; and Buff-tailed bumblebees enjoying the nectar and pollen from these single-headed dahlias.

Beautiful landscape planting that’s attractive for people and pollinators in late summer/autumn and hopefully all year in a shady corner. Can’t wait to see what it looks like in spring.