The summer blooms may be starting to fade away, but that doesn’t mean we have to resign ourselves to a drab looking garden for the rest of the year. With some planning, it is possible to have an outdoor space that looks colourful and attractive all year round. Here are some top tips.
Plant evergreen shrubs and trees
Evergreen species that keep their colour and foliage all year round will ensure that it looks alive and attractive throughout the winter months. Opt for species that also produce seasonal flowers or berries. For example, certain species of the holly plant produce characteristic bright red berries in late autumn and mid winter.
Most varieties of holly will thrive in moist but well-drained soil in sun or shade. Berries are only produced on female plants and they need to be cross-pollinated with a male plant, which have larger stamens. Holly tends to be slow growing, but when mature they produce dense foliage which makes it useful as a screening plant.
Other good evergreens include azaleas, which produce flowers in the spring time. Box or yew trees are also all-season staples. Box is useful for hedges and can also be grown in tubs and containers that can be placed at intervals around the garden, or wherever you need some winter greenery.
Plant late-flowering perennials
Ensure that you have some late-flowering plants in your garden to take you through to the first frosts of the year. Species such as Japanese anemones, asters, and echinaceas all bring vibrant and lasting colour to your garden. Think about where you position them to ensure that you have a good balance of colour around the entire garden.
Include deciduous trees for an autumnal display
Don’t eschew deciduous trees (that shed their leaves in winter) entirely, especially varieties that turn rich reds, ambers, and yellows in the autumn or spring flowers.
Good examples include the Japanese Maple which produces stunning deep red or purple leaves in the autumn, and flowering cherries or magnolias which produce abundant white or pretty pink blooms in spring.
Plant early spring bulbs
In the autumn, plant a good variety of bulbs such as daffodils, tulips, crocus, snowdrops, and alliums so that you can enjoy a burst of colour at the very first signs of spring. Once planted, these hardy perennials should return year after year.
Perform seasonal maintenance tasks
It is important to keep up with seasonal gardening tasks to ensure that your plants will be able to thrive to their full potential all year round. Regular pruning and dead heading will ensure that new growth can emerge and that shrubs and trees maintain an attractive and manageable shape.
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