We’re finally enjoying some warmer weather here in the UK, with spring firmly on the horizon. Gone are the long, dark days of winter, meaning gardeners will soon be able to reap the benefits of their hard work over winter.
However, if you’re a beginner gardener and simply want to add some colour and life to your garden, then planting flowers is an excellent way to do this. And the good news is there’s certainly no shortage of options either. Whatever hues you want to add to your outdoor space, here’s a list of five that’ll brighten up your garden in no time.
Snapdragons
When it comes to eye-catching, colourful blooms, you really can’t get much better than the snapdragon. They can be planted in spring and bloom all the way until the first frost of winter, if they’re deadheaded correctly.
They come in a huge range of shapes and sizes and are also very fast-growing, making them perfect for filling your garden with colour. They like a rich soil that is well-drained but moist and can do well in containers or in the ground.
Zinnia
Another simple yet stunning flower to plant right now is the zinnia, which will bloom in May/June if growing from seed. Again, they come in so many beautiful colours, and range in height from 1ft to 4ft tall.
They’re easy to grow so great for beginners, and they can be sown directly outdoors every week for a constant supply of blooms when summer comes.
Marigold
If you’re going for a golden, sunny vibe in your garden this summer, then you can’t go wrong with marigolds. If planted now, they’ll bloom in just eight weeks.
New flowers will appear constantly from June until the first frost if you deadhead them, and they’ll thrive in well-drained soil.
Nasturtium
If you want something a little different for your garden, then the nasturtium is the way to go. These are climbing plants, but not only do they look good – they can also help to repel insects too.
And an easy hack to keep them blooming all summer long is to pick off any dead-looking flowers that you notice.
Morning Glory
Another stunning climbing plant, the morning glory can grow up to a whopping 10 feet in just one season. However, they can be sensitive to cold, so consider starting them indoors to give them a headstart.
By the time June rolls around, you should have colourful blooms that will last until the autumn frost.
