THE colder months tend to zap any colour from our garden.
As plants become dormant our gardens can lack character – but not anymore.
Here’s how to have a colourful garden this winter[/caption]
A gardening expert has shared the five flowers you can plant now to have a colourful bloom in winter.
Craig Wilson, gardening expert and founder of Gardeners Dream said: “Whilst winter gardens or landscapes can be serene and picturesque when the frosts arrive, a garden with little to no colour can be somewhat disheartening to view, especially if you are someone who has spent all summer curating a colourful space full of life.
“Thankfully, there are several plants and flowers that flourish during the colder months of the year, adding a pop of colour to even the dullest of winter gardens.
“Planting these five options now will provide you with a winter garden worth admiring – from the warmth of the indoors, of course.”
Pansies
Planting pansies before the weekend is over will ensure their roots are sturdy and well established.
This will allow them to flower and bloom before winter hits and there’s many colours to choose from and can be bought from B&Q for £1.54.
Planting pansies now mean they will bloom for winter[/caption]
Violas
The garden expert explained: “Violas are a beautiful addition to your garden during the colder part of the year, offering bright flowers that bloom throughout the winter.
Standard varieties should be planted in spring but winter ones can be potted now for a pop of colour.
Violas can add a nice touch of colour[/caption]
Snowdrops
These pretty flowers can be some of the first to bloom if you plant them now through to late autumn.
“Even when the ground is cold and semi-frozen, snowdrops can push through, so frost protection is not necessary,” says Craig.
You can also buy them in your weekly shop at Sainsbury’s for just £3.
Snowdrops are able to be planted and bloom first in winter[/caption]
Cyclamens
These flowers often come in hues of pink and purple and will bloom late winter when most other flowers are done for the season.
It’s best to plant them now through to the end of October and when they bloom it will be the first sign spring is not too far away.
These pretty flowers will signal spring isn’t far away[/caption]
Carex morrowii
Finally, Craig said: “Carex morrowii is an evergreen sedge. It is a popular ornamental grass that has green leaves with yellow edges, making it perfect for adding some winter interest to your garden.”
These can be planted anytime so long as the ground isn’t frozen so long as they are planted in sun light.
This grass can add some much needed texture and colour to your garden[/caption]
October gardening jobs
The Sun’s Gardening Editor, Veronica Lorraine, has shared the jobs you need to tackle in October.
“It’s a good time to trim deciduous hedges – like box, yew, hawthorn, hornbean and beech – plus hedge trimmers are a great upper body workout!
Make leafmould – gather up all the fallen leaves and fill either bin bags or plastic carrier bags. Seal the top, stick a few small holes in the bag – and then store for a year or more. Free compost!
It’s unlikely you’ll get any more red tomatoes so have one final harvest and chuck the plants on the compost. See if you can get the green ones to ripen by putting in a drawer (some say with a banana). Also keep the seeds from a couple – and plant again next year if they went well.
Finish getting in your spring bulbs. Ideally you’d have done daffs and alliums, but tulips are better in the ground when the soil temperature gets a bit colder.
It’s good to leave some plant litter in the ground – it adds to the nutrients as it rots down, and provides shelter and food for insects. But remove the manky brown bits collapsing all over the lawn/winter structure.
Mulch – it not only suppresses weeds, but keeps the soil warm, improves water retention and adds a little winter duvet to your outside space.
October’s a good month for carrots, peas, asparagus, broad beans, and rhubarb.”
