What to Plant in October
Seeds to sow, young plants to put out, and what's flowering in October in UK gardens — drawn straight from the GardenWizz plant encyclopedia.
🌱 Sow in October
Sow these seeds this month (41 plants).
Apple (Malus domestica)
Autumn Sage (Salvia greggii)
Bearberry (Arctostaphylos uva-ursi)
Broad Bean (Vicia faba)
Bukhara Iris (Iris bucharica)
Bulb Onion (Allium cepa)
Chamomile (Matricaria chamomilla)
Common Dog-Violet (Viola riviniana)
Common Teasel (Dipsacus fullonum)
Cow Parsley (Anthriscus sylvestris)
Cowslip (Primula veris)
Crab Apple (Malus sylvestris)
Daffodils (Narcissus)
Fern (Dryopteris filix-mas)
Field Maple (Acer campestre)
Garden Parsley (Petroselinum crispum)
Guelder Rose (Viburnum opulus)
Highbush Blueberry (Vaccinium corymbosum)
Holly (Ilex aquifolium)
Japanese Maple (Acer palmatum)
Long-Scape Iris (Iris delavayi)
Lupin (Lupinus)
Michaelmas Daisy (Symphyotrichum novi-belgii)
Orchid Iris (Iris histrioides)
Pea (Pisum sativum)
Pink Lily Leek (Allium oreophilum)
Poppy (Papaver)
Potato (Solanum tuberosum)
Pot Marigold (Calendula officinalis)
Raspberry (Rubus idaeus)
Red Bartsia (Odontites vernus)
Red Campion (Silene dioica)
Red Clover (Trifolium pratense)
Rosemary (Salvia rosmarinus)
Small Yellow Onion (Allium flavum)
Strawberry (Fragaria × ananassa)
Sweet Pea (Lathyrus odoratus)
Traveller's Joy (Clematis vitalba)
Tulip (Tulipa)
Wayfaring Tree (Viburnum lantana)
Whitebeam (Sorbus aria)
🪴 Plant out in October
Put these into the garden now (219 plants).
Alder Buckthorn (Rhamnus frangula)
Allium (Allium hollandicum)
Alma-Ata Iris (Iris hoogiana)
Aloe
Altai Tulip (Tulipa altaica)
Apothecary's Rose (Rosa gallica)
Aspen (Populus tremula)
Avens (Geum)
Azalea (Rhododendron)
Bamboo Iris (Iris confusa)
Barberry (Berberis)
Bearberry (Arctostaphylos uva-ursi)
Bearded Iris (Iris germanica)
Bear's Breech (Acanthus mollis)
Bear's Ear (Primula auricula)
Bell Heather (Erica cinerea)
Big-Leaf Rhododendron (Rhododendron calophytum)
Birch-Leaved Bellflower (Campanula betulifolia)
Blackberry (Rubus fruticosus)
Blackthorn (Prunus spinosa)
Blireana Plum (Prunus × blireana)
Blue Allium (Allium cyaneum)
Bluebell (Hyacinthoides non-scripta)
Blue Garlic (Allium caesium)
Bosnian Pine (Pinus heldreichii)
Boxwood (Buxus sempervirens)
Bristle-Pointed Iris (Iris setosa)
Bugle (Ajuga reptans)
Bukhara Iris (Iris bucharica)
Bulb Onion (Allium cepa)
Bulley's Primrose (Primula bulleyana)
Buttonhead Primrose (Primula capitata)
Byzantine Crocus (Crocus banaticus)
Campbell's Magnolia (Magnolia campbellii)
Cape Cowslip (Lachenalia)
Catalonian Jasmine (Jasminum grandiflorum)
Catmint (Nepeta)
Chamomile (Matricaria chamomilla)
Cherry Blossom (Prunus serrulata)
Chicory (Cichorium intybus)
Chinese Peony (Paeonia lactiflora)
Chinese Wisteria (Wisteria sinensis)
Common Ash (Fraxinus excelsior)
Common Beech (Fagus sylvatica)
Common Bent (Agrostis capillaris)
Common Bird's-Foot-Trefoil (Lotus corniculatus)
Common Camellia (Camellia japonica)
Common Dog-Violet (Viola riviniana)
Common Hazel (Corylus avellana)
Common Lilac (Syringa vulgaris)
Common Mint (Mentha spicata)
Common Primrose (Primula husky)
Common Sorrel (Rumex acetosa)
Copper Iris (Iris fulva)
Corsican Crocus (Crocus corsicus)
Cow Parsley (Anthriscus sylvestris)
Cowslip (Primula veris)
Crocus (Crocus vernus)
Cypripedium hank
Daffodils (Narcissus)
Daphne Rhododendron (Rhododendron campylogynum)
Darley Dale Heath (Erica x darleyensis)
Daurian Rhododendron (Rhododendron dauricum)
Davidson's Rhododendron (Rhododendron davidsonianum)
Daylily (Hemerocallis)
Dog Rose (Rosa rugosa)
Dogwood (Cornus)
Dogwood (Cornus sanguinea)
Druce's Cranesbill (Geranium × oxonianum)
Dryopteris affinis
Early Azalea (Rhododendron lutescens)
Edgeworth's Rhododendron (Rhododendron edgeworthii)
Elder (Sambucus nigra)
English Elm (Ulmus minor)
English Ivy (Hedera helix)
European Larch (Larix decidua)
Fern (Dryopteris filix-mas)
Field Birch (Betula pubescens)
Field Maple (Acer campestre)
Flaky Juniper (Juniperus squamata)
Florentine Iris (Iris florentina)
Formosan Lady's Slipper Orchid (Cypripedium formosanum)
Fortune's Rhododendron (Rhododendron fortunei)
Foxglove (Digitalis purpurea)
Freeman Maple (Acer freemanii)
Fulvous Rhododendron (Rhododendron fulvum)
Goat Willow (Salix caprea)
Golden Crocus (Crocus chrysanthus)
Gorse (Ulex europaeus)
Grass-Leaved Flag (Iris graminea)
Great White Rhododendron (Rhododendron decorum)
Guelder Rose (Viburnum opulus)
Gum Rock Rhododendron (Rhododendron calostrotum)
Hairyflower Bellflower (Campanula chamissonis)
Hairy Grey Heather (Erica canaliculata)
Hance's Rhododendron (Rhododendron hanceanum)
Heather (Calluna vulgaris)
Hebe (Hebe pinguifolia)
Hellebore (Helleborus)
Hippophae-Like Rhododendron (Rhododendron hippophaeoides)
Hollyhock (Alcea rosea)
Hornbeam (Carpinus betulus)
Horse Chestnut (Aesculus hippocastanum)
Hybrid Honeysuckle (Lonicera × heckrottii)
Hybrid Squill (Scilla × allenii)
Hypericum Dummeri (Hypericum × dummeri)
I. Fulvala (Iris fulvala)
Irises (Iris)
Japanese Barberry (Berberis thunbergii)
Japanese Maple (Acer palmatum)
Japanese Primrose (Primula japonica)
Japanese Spiraea (Spiraea japonica)
Keisk's Rhododendron (Rhododendron keiskei)
Kerner Iris (Iris kerneriana)
Kew Primrose (Primula kewensis)
King Rhododendron (Rhododendron rex)
Komine Maple (Acer micranthum)
Korean Rhododendron (Rhododendron mucronulatum)
Kotschy's Crocus (Crocus kotschyanus)
Lachenalia corymbosa
Lady Tulip (Tulipa clusiana)
Large Speedwell (Veronica austriaca)
Larkspurs (Delphinium)
Leek (Allium porrum)
Lemon Balm (Melissa officinalis)
Lily Of The Valley (Convallaria majalis)
Lodgepole Pine (Pinus contorta)
Long-Scape Iris (Iris delavayi)
Magnificent Iris (Iris magnifica)
Magnolia denudata (QA: Magnolia denudata)
Magnolia (Magnolia grandiflora)
Makino's Rhododendron (Rhododendron makinoi)
Many-Branched Rhododendron (Rhododendron polycladum)
McCabe's Rhododendron (Rhododendron macabeanum)
Michaelmas Daisy (Symphyotrichum novi-belgii)
Mint (Mentha)
Moth Orchid 'Ariadne' (Phalaenopsis × ariadne)
Mountain-Loving Rhododendron (Rhododendron oreotrephes)
Nakahara's Rhododendron (Rhododendron nakaharae)
Narrow-Leaved Crocus (Crocus angustifolius)
New England Aster (Symphyotrichum novae-angliae)
Nordmann Fir (Abies nordmanniana)
Notable Rhododendron (Rhododendron insigne)
Ochre Rhododendron (Rhododendron ochraceum)
Orchid Iris (Iris histrioides)
Oven Wattle (Acacia pravissima)
Panicle Hydrangea (Hydrangea paniculata)
Paperbark Maple (Acer griseum)
Pear (Pyrus communis)
Persian Onion (Allium jesdianum)
Pink Lily Leek (Allium insubricum)
Pink Lily Leek (Allium oreophilum)
Plantain Lily (Hosta)
Polyanthus Primrose (Primula danova)
Pontic Rhododendron (Rhododendron ponticum)
Primrose-Flowered Rhododendron (Rhododendron primuliflorum)
Primrose (Primula vulgaris)
Primroses (Primula)
Racemose Rhododendron (Rhododendron racemosum)
Red-Barked Dogwood (Cornus alba)
Red Bartsia (Odontites vernus)
Red Campion (Silene dioica)
Red Clover (Trifolium pratense)
Red Currant (Ribes rubrum)
Rosebay Willowherb (Epilobium angustifolium)
Rose (Rosa)
Rosy Rhododendron (Rhododendron oreodoxa)
Round-Leaved Rhododendron (Rhododendron orbiculare)
Rowan (Sorbus aucuparia)
Roxie's Rhododendron (Rhododendron roxieanum)
Rue (Ruta graveolens)
Scots Pine (Pinus sylvestris)
Shrubby Rock-Roses (Cistus)
Silver-Leaved Rhododendron (Rhododendron argyrophyllum)
Small-Leaved Lime (Tilia cordata)
Small Yellow Onion (Allium flavum)
Smooth Azalea (Rhododendron arborescens)
Smooth Crocus (Crocus laevigatus)
Snowdrop (Galanthus nivalis)
Snowy Rhododendron (Rhododendron niveum)
Spanish Heath (Erica australis)
Speedwells (Veronica)
Star Of Persia (Allium cristophii)
Stinking Iris (Iris foetidissima)
St John's Wort (Hypericum beanii)
St John's Wort (Hypericum perforatum)
Strawberry Tree (Arbutus unedo)
Sweet Chestnut (Castanea sativa)
Sycamore (Acer pseudoplatanus)
Thick-Flowered Rhododendron (Rhododendron pachysanthum)
Tree Rhododendron (Rhododendron arboreum)
Tulip (Tulipa)
Two-Flowered Tulip (Tulipa bifloriformis)
Upright Rhododendron (Rhododendron fastigiatum)
Viburnums (Viburnum)
Violet Willow (Salix daphnoides)
Wall Speedwell (Veronica albicans)
Water Iris (Iris laevigata)
Wayfaring Tree (Viburnum lantana)
Weigela (Weigela florida)
Whitebeam (Sorbus aria)
White Clover (Trifolium repens)
White Dead-Nettle (Lamium album)
Wild Cherry (Prunus avium)
Wild Garlic (Allium ursinum)
Wild Geranium (Geranium maculatum)
Wild Mint (Mentha arvensis)
Wild Plum (Prunus domestica subsp. insititia)
Wild Service Tree (Sorbus torminalis)
Wild Strawberry (Fragaria vesca)
Winter Heath (Erica carnea)
Wood Anemone (Anemonoides nemorosa)
Woodrush (Luzula sylvatica)
Wood Sorrel (Oxalis acetosella)
Wych Elm (Ulmus glabra)
Yellow Crocus (Crocus flavus)
Yellow Crocus Iris (Iris crocea)
Yunnan Iris (Iris forrestii)
ZZ Plant (Zamioculcas zamiifolia)
🌸 In flower in October
What's blooming this month (64 plants).
Aloe
Anise-Scented Sage (Salvia guaranitica)
Autumn Crocus (Colchicum autumnale)
Autumn Sage (Salvia greggii)
Beardtongue (Penstemon)
Begonias (Begonia)
Bigleaf Hydrangea (Hydrangea macrophylla)
Bigleaf Hydrangea (Hydrangea macrophylla)
Blue Allium (Allium cyaneum)
Brilliant Fuchsia (Fuchsia fulgens)
Bromfield's Living Stone (Lithops bromfieldii)
Byzantine Crocus (Crocus banaticus)
Cape Cowslip (Lachenalia)
Cardinal Sage (Salvia fulgens)
Catalonian Jasmine (Jasminum grandiflorum)
Chamomile (Matricaria chamomilla)
Chenille Plant (Acalypha hispida)
Chrysanthemum (Chrysanthemum morifolium)
Coneflower (Echinacea purpurea)
Coral Bells (Heuchera)
Corrugated Sage (Salvia corrugata)
Crocosmia (Crocosmia crocosmiiflora)
English Ivy (Hedera helix)
Fall Crocus (Crocus goulimyi)
Fire Heath (Erica cerinthoides)
Fuchsias (Fuchsia)
Garden Cosmos (Cosmos bipinnatus)
Garden Dahlia (Dahlia pinnata)
Hardy Begonia (Begonia grandis)
Hollyhock (Alcea rosea)
Honeysuckle (Lonicera periclymenum)
Horned Spurge (Euphorbia ceratocarpa)
Jame Sage (Salvia × jamensis)
Kotschy's Crocus (Crocus kotschyanus)
Lady's Eardrops (Fuchsia boliviana)
Lithops dorotheae
Maple Leaf Begonia (Begonia dregei)
Marigolds (Tagetes)
Mexican-Giant (Echeveria colorata)
Michaelmas Daisy (Symphyotrichum novi-belgii)
Moth Orchid 'Ariadne' (Phalaenopsis × ariadne)
Moth Orchid (Phalaenopsis)
Nasturtium (Tropaeolum majus)
New England Aster (Symphyotrichum novae-angliae)
Petunia (Petunia x hybrida)
Primroses (Primula)
Red Campion (Silene dioica)
Rudbeckia (Rudbeckia fulgida)
Russian Sage (Perovskia atriplicifolia)
Sea Milkball (Euphorbia flanaganii)
Silver Wattle (Acacia dealbata)
Smooth Crocus (Crocus laevigatus)
Spider Plant (Chlorophytum comosum)
St. John's Worts (Hypericum)
Stonecrop (Sedum)
Strawberry Tree (Arbutus unedo)
Thread Agave (Agave filifera)
Tree Fuchsia (Fuchsia arborescens)
Tropical Sage (Salvia coccinea)
Twin-Spined Cactus (Mammillaria geminispina)
Two-Lobed Cone Plant (Conophytum bilobum)
Verbena (Verbena bonariensis)
White Dead-Nettle (Lamium album)
Wild Saffron (Crocus cartwrightianus)
❄️ UK frost dates by region
Approximate last spring / first autumn frost — always check your local forecast before sowing or planting out tender plants.
| Region | Last spring frost | First autumn frost |
|---|---|---|
| Scotland & far north | late May | late September |
| North of England | mid May | mid October |
| Midlands & Wales | early–mid May | late October |
| East & South East England | late April–early May | late October |
| London & urban areas | mid April | early November |
| South West & coastal | mid April | November |
Recommended Products
GardenWizz earns a commission from qualifying purchases made through affiliate links on this page (including links within the article) — as an Amazon Associate, and from Thompson & Morgan via the Awin network. This does not affect the price you pay. See our disclaimer for details.