If your garden could do with some extra colour this summer, we have many flowering shrubs, climbers and perennials that peak in summer and our selection would have to include new English Roses, a whole host of unusual Hydrangeas and ornamental grasses with a few of our favourite perennials.
Early flowering plants:
- Verbena
- Rhododendrons
- Foxgloves (Digitalis)
- Lilac
- Hydrangea macrophylla
- Alchemilla mollis
- Lupins
Plan your planting scheme to include colour, movement, height and texture for best effect. Ornamental grasses can really lift a border, giving it that designer look when planted amongst architectural perennials such as the cool blue African Lilly Agapanthus. Tall flowing grasses create the perfect backdrop to flowering perennials such as Verbena bonariensis and long flowering purple Salvias. Try the cool blue evergreen grass Festuca glauca for year round interest.
Evergreen grasses tend to be lower growing but can be very useful for filling in gaps and maintaining colour throughout the winter months.
Late summer flowering plants:
Add late summer flowering shrubs such as Hydrangeas and New English Roses to fill larger gaps. Hydrangeas look particularly stunning grown in groups at the back of a mixed border or as an informal hedge. Hydrangea arborescens ‘Annabelle’ and Hydrangea paniculata ‘Limelight’ are perfect for larger gardens.
Grow repeat flowering climbing Roses up trellis or along a fence for continuous blooms and to soften the boundary. With regular dead-heading these will take you well into autumn leaving you to sit back and enjoy.
For ideas and advice contact or visit us at The Big Plant Nursery and ask about our popular ‘At Home’ Consultancy Service if you are not sure where to start.