Brits have been told to prune dahlias, delphiniums, and roses to ensure they stay in bloom.

If you have spent summer in your garden, you’ll likely be looking to keep your plants going into the autumn for as long as possible before winter comes.

An expert has revealed her top tips for getting your flowers to last that little bit longer and keep your garden looking bright.

Gardening and greenhouse expert Lucie Bradley from Two Wests & Elliott said: “Take care of your hanging baskets, tubs, containers, and border plants. Maintaining them encourages them to flower for longer and keeps your gardening looking lush when there’s still a hint of summer around.”

Spending time perfecting your garden can be both a hobby and a chore so once you’ve got your plants in place it's always nice to extend their life where possible as it’s not usually quick work to get them all set up in the first place.

She added: “Deadheading plants such as dahlias, delphiniums, and roses with sharp snips encourage them to prolong their display.

“Hydrate your plants, paying close attention to tubs and baskets and focusing on watering the soil rather than plants. To prevent water from evaporating by the sun, water plants when it is cooler, ideally in the early morning or late evening. Invest in an automatic watering system controlled by a water timer to make things easier. Alternatively, a hose pipe will do the job as well.”

Other advice from BBC Gardeners World recommends some ideas for autumn garden planting if you’re hoping to establish some more plants before winter kicks in.

The website suggests planting during autumn can be the perfect time as the soil is often warm and moist, which are great conditions for plants to grow.

However, it's important to keep an eye on the weather while undertaking any gardening project during the autumn months, as cold temperatures can be disastrous to new flowers and plants.