I have noticed a few plants around my garden that normally flower in late summer through autumn are forming buds now. Anyone else notice this happening? Things like Allium thunbergii 'Ozawa', sedums, Geranium soboliferum 'Butterfly Kisses' and Aster divaricatus all have buds present at different stages.

I would have thought that with the long, cool spring things would have been right on schedule or even running behind this season. My true lilies are a full month later than last year (which I am happy about since the season will be joyfully extended) and my more established hardy geraniums finally look like something vaguely resembling the gorgeous photos seen in British gardening books.

But what gives with these precocious fall bloomers? Should I trim them back (except the allium) and hope for the best?

I just gave my hybrid asters (which were not forming buds) and Montauk daisies a good Chelsea chop a few days ago.