Adding colour to the garden

dixie_dean_2

My garden is quite green. Very green. I did plant some flowers last year not realising they were seasonal or whatever the term is, ah, annuals, is that it? rather than perrenials. I'd like some hardy shrubs and flowers that would come back each year and wondered what people would recommend. We have some daffs and also tulips and more of these would be ok but maybe something with a longer flowering season (if I'm not being too greedy here!). Also, one spot would be quite shaded as a bit under a tree - anything particularly good here?

Thanks a lot in advance.

ixwood

For easy, colourful and long flowering plants that will come back every year, I'd go for Lavender, Hssop, Rosemary, Red Valarian, Ice plant, Buddleia, Verbena Bonariensis and Campanula.

Self sowing hardy annuals can also be good as they come back each year and spread themselves around naturally. Forget me nots, Poached egg plants etc.

Under the trees, assuming they're not evergreen, that's the perfect place for spring bulbs, which have evolved for exactly that position. They grow and flower early in the season before they're shaded out by the overhead vegetation.

dixie_dean_2

Hi, brilliant. Have got lavendar and rosemary and will look into the others. I had some bulbs in tubs but will transplant those i think to unjder the tree. Thanks a lot.

elephant-astic

dixie_dean wrote: »

My garden is quite green. Very green. I did plant some flowers last year not realising they were seasonal or whatever the term is, ah, annuals, is that it? rather than perrenials. I'd like some hardy shrubs and flowers that would come back each year and wondered what people would recommend. We have some daffs and also tulips and more of these would be ok but maybe something with a longer flowering season (if I'm not being too greedy here!). Also, one spot would be quite shaded as a bit under a tree - anything particularly good here?

Thanks a lot in advance.

I think Ixwood has already given you more useful advice than an amateur like me could, but since he mentioned rosemary, & I was think about herbs having read your post, I thought I'd chip in. It might not be for everybody, and the flowers aren't usually as spectacular as things like daffs or tulips, but IMHO herbs are a great addition to any garden (except mint-treat that one with EXTREME caution!!!) not only can they look and smell nice, but having fresh herbs for cooking is brilliant!

Speaking of things that smell nice, Jasmine is wonderful too if you can get it going, it makes the garden smell absolutely amazing on summer nights.

Poppycat

Pot marigolds also a cheap annual that self seed

dixie_dean_2

I have quite a few herbs in the garden, although you can't really smell them unless you try. I bought some honeysuckle for the smell but will also try jasmine as you recommend it. Is it difficult to grow then (from what you say)?

[Deleted User]

I love wallflowers, they only last 2-3 years but they flower from March to November and are very pretty!

Farway

Another easy self seeding annual is nasturtium, plus you can use the younger leaves in salads, nice peppery taste, and the flowers are also edible, but not tried those

dixie_dean_2

now that sounds perfect. self seeding, food, colour. Do they make a cuppa as well?

Poppycat

Yes you can eat them I got some when I bought some salad on a farmers shop when on hols in Cornwall last year

Very easy to grown stick finger around 2 cm and pop seed in. Also save seeds for next years on plant

Farway wrote: »

Another easy self seeding annual is nasturtium, plus you can use the younger leaves in salads, nice peppery taste, and the flowers are also edible, but not tried those