Before autumn really takes hold, September gives us one last opportunity to look at how our gardens actually performed through summer. Where did you sit? What planting worked? Where did water collect? And which parts of the garden did you barely use? Those answers can tell you far more about your next garden design than any trend ever will.

Spring gets most of the attention in gardening, but autumn can be one of the best times to plant a garden. Cooler weather, warmer soil and increasing rainfall give trees, shrubs and perennials an opportunity to establish – and remind us that a good garden is designed for years, not just the day it is finished.