Acers present superbly formed and vibrant foliage
Picture: Acer palmatum ‘Taylor’ from Thompson & Morgan
It’s simple to fill your backyard with color by means of the summer time when many vegetation burst into bloom. However which varieties must you select for a vibrant show all yr spherical? We requested educated horticulturalist, Sophie Essex, for her professional recommendation on the vegetation, flowers, shrubs and timber that signify the most effective of each season. Listed here are her ideas…
Browse our broad number of backyard vegetation for much more concepts.
Greatest vegetation for spring backyard color
This uncommon azalea is ideal for pots or borders
Picture: Azalea ‘Starstyle Pink’ from Thompson & Morgan
One of many best methods to present your backyard a burst of color at first of a brand new yr is by planting spring-flowering bulbs. Beginning in January, delicate white snowdrops are rapidly adopted in February by yellow daffodils, a pleasure to behold as they nod gently within the crisp breeze. These sunny blooms quickly make approach for the bolder pink, purple, orange and crimson tones of crocuses and tulips which carpet the backyard with color. Splendid for planting within the floor or containers, many bulbs will even naturalise over time for those who bury them in the fitting spot. And for those who create a bulb ‘lasagne’ in a big container, you possibly can take pleasure in a steady wave of flowers as one seamlessly transitions into the subsequent. See our prime ten spring bulbs for those who’re searching for inspiration.
Extra spring ideas:
- Amalanchier lamarkii: In case you have the area for a tree, Amalanchier lamarkii is a superb choice. The elegant white blossom that emerges in March is completely backset by newly unfurling pink leaves. Planted in a outstanding spot, it’s going to proceed to supply curiosity all year long because the foliage matures to yellow-green earlier than turning a fiery crimson in autumn. It additionally produces a flush of darkish crimson berries in July.
- Magnolia stellata: With a compact behavior, this small specimen tree will also be grown in a big container. The star-shaped flowers emerge by means of March and April, earlier than the tree is cloaked in mid-green leaves.
- Forsythia: You’ll know spring has sprung while you spot a forsythia in bloom. This in style shrub is totally smothered in shiny yellow flowers from early March onwards. Excellent as a part of a blended hedge or border, it additionally makes a spectacular addition to a patio when grown in a big container.
- Azalea: An incredible shrub to assist your backyard transition from spring into summer time, azaleas are available in a wide range of colors, sizes and flower shapes. In case you love a scorching border, select from shiny yellows, fiery oranges, scorching pinks and reds. For a cooler color scheme, pure whites and crisp purples supply a putting various. These low-maintenance shrubs desire acidic soil, however will even thrive in containers. Some varieties like ‘Japanese Crimson’ additionally cope nicely with shade.
Greatest vegetation and flowers for summer time backyard color
These compact lilies make a giant splash in the summertime border
Picture: Lily ‘Dazzler’ (Floor Cowl) from Thompson & Morgan
Summer time is unquestionably the season for herbaceous perennials. From unique wanting alstroemeria and dahlias to shiny yellow coreopsis and rudbeckia, you’ll be spoilt for alternative in the case of color and curiosity. Perennial salvias are a wonderful alternative for beds, borders and containers. For lots of flowers from June to October, strive Salvia ‘Amethyst Lips’ – its blackcurrant-scented foliage is an added attraction.
Extra summer time ideas:
- Allium ‘Globemaster’: Considered one of our prime ten summer-flowering bulbs, these magnificent spherical blooms seem in June and July, rising up by means of beds and borders to carry top, construction and texture to your planting scheme. Some allium varieties begin flowering from late spring, so a intelligent mixture may take you from Might by means of to August, with the seedheads including additional curiosity into autumn.
- Summer time lilies: Whether or not you favor compact Asiatic lilies that are available in a spread of unique colors, Oriental lilies with their massive trumpet-shaped flowers and highly effective scent, or majestic tree lilies like the additional tall ‘Pink Explosion’ that reaches the towering top of two.5m inside two years, there’s one thing for each backyard right here.
- Hydrangea: There are lots of various kinds of hydrangeas, from delicate lacecaps to very large paniculatas. Out there in varied colors, a number of the latest varieties like Hydrangea serrata ‘Euphoria Pink’ have been bred for stunning variegated foliage in addition to vibrant blooms.
- Buddleja: Out there in pale pastels by means of to intense purple, these cone-shaped flowers are coated in butterflies from July to October. For smaller gardens or containers, Buddleja ‘Butterfly Sweet Little Ruby’ is a dwarf selection that produces dense spikes of surprising deep crimson flowers towards gray foliage.
Must you want a fast repair of color to fill gaps, flesh out containers or brighten up baskets, summer time bedding vegetation are a fast and simple answer. Learn our prime ten summer time bedding vegetation for concepts.
Greatest backyard vegetation for autumn backyard color
Heat your fingers on Cercis ‘Everlasting Flame’ in autumn
Picture: Cercis ‘Everlasting Flame’ from Thompson & Morgan
For spectacular autumn color timber, little or no can beat an acer. Splendid specimen vegetation that may be grown in massive containers or planted within the floor, their elegant rising behavior and fairly leaves lend construction and texture to each planting scheme. Particularly, Acer palmatum ‘Bloodgood’ is a sight to behold because it delivers a fiery blast of deep crimson leaves simply as different vegetation begin to fade. However excess of only a one-trick pony, this acer additionally produces shiny pink new foliage in spring that darkens to deep purple by early summer time.
Extra autumn ideas:
- Cercis ‘Everlasting Flame’: This tough-working shrub or small tree is a superb alternative for small gardens. Its stunning heart-shaped foliage emerges in deep crimson, earlier than turning burnt orange after which yellow. It continues to cycle by means of these colors till the leaves lastly drop, generally that includes as much as 5 totally different colors of foliage on the identical stem. Come spring, a shocking show of hanging pink blooms kicks the exhibit once more.
- Festuca ‘Dawn’: This clump-forming decorative grass gives heat color even because the temperatures begin to drop. Its blue-green foliage is tipped copper-orange in autumn, following a late summer time show of orange-red flowers. It makes a very helpful addition to autumn containers, seamlessly bridging the transition into winter.
- Cotoneaster: Weighed down by eye-catching decorative berries within the autumn, this low-maintenance plant gives a splash of color and a feast for the birds. Some varieties like Cotoneaster horizontalis are greatest suited to coaching towards a wall, whereas others, like Cotoneaster suecicus ‘Coral Magnificence’ develop right into a manageable shrub of about 1m tall.
- Crocus sativus: These autumn-flowering bulbs appear as if little jewels in grass by means of October and November, and are excellent for rockeries. borders and planting beneath deciduous timber. A shiny addition to patio containers, the deep purple petals present a wonderful backdrop for the intense orange stigmas which you’ll be able to harvest to make your individual saffron.
Greatest vegetation, timber and bulbs for winter backyard color
Vibrant orange flowers coat Hamamelis x intermedia ‘Jelena’ in January
Picture: Hamamelis x intermedia ‘Jelena’ from Thompson & Morgan
Winter gardens don’t need to be bleak and naked. Hanging baskets and containers will be stuffed with evergreen grasses and winter bedding vegetation like violas and pansies, whereas vibrant stems, flowering shrubs and fairly bulbs all mix to brighten the darkest days. See our prime ten winter-flowering bulbs for those who’re thinking about low-maintenance color that returns effortlessly yr after yr.
Extra winter ideas:
- Hamamelis: Probably the most putting winter-flowering shrubs, hamamelis flowers appear like tiny twists of orange peel and scent divine. The spider-like blooms seem on naked branches from December to February, and are available in yellow, orange and crimson varieties. Considered one of my favourites, Hamamelis x intermedia ‘Orange Magnificence’, produces gorgeous yellow and orange autumn leaves, adopted by deep orange-yellow flowers on the naked branches.
- Mahonia x media ‘Charity’: A welcome sight within the winter months, this very good evergreen shrub produces massive yellow flower spikes from November by means of to March, bringing color and a candy perfume to shaded corners of the backyard. The firework-like racemes of yellow rise from shiny darkish inexperienced leaves earlier than being changed by bunches of purple berries.
- Cornus: Often known as dogwood, many sorts of this shrub present highly effective kerb attraction come winter. Efficient planted alone or en masse, the uncovered stems present flashes of yellow, fiery crimson and white. Cornus sanguinea ‘Winter Flame’ is especially particular.
- Daphne odora ‘Aureomarginata’: Late winter is the time to admire this shrub’s tiny star-shaped, candy scented blooms. Flowering from January to April, this hardy evergreen shrub has a rounded, compact behavior, and shiny, gold-edged leaves. Excellent for rising in patio containers and borders, it’s a great way so as to add construction and curiosity by means of the coldest months.
We hope you possibly can take pleasure in all-year spherical color in your backyard with this treasure map of concepts. Rigorously deliberate, your backyard can produce a vibrant show to admire every month of the yr. For extra data and recommendation on winter flowers, go to our devoted hub web page. And for well timed inspiration, observe us on X and Instagram to maintain up with our newest gardening insights and thrilling new releases.
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