Gardening

Camellias are colourful autumn/ winter plants that will often bloom around November time. This means they are just starting to come out now, and are adding a splash of colour to gardens throughout the UK. They will come out into bloom regardless of the weather, thriving just as much in warmer or colder conditions than usual.

The camellia is dark red in colour, with a yellow centre. They will stand out at this time of year, as well as blend in beautifully with the autumnal colours that are still around.

There are two popular types you can grow in your garden: the Japonica camellia and the Sasanque camellia. There are other varieties as well, meaning you can grow a variety of shades.

Camellias should be planted in the autumn for winter blooming. They are naturally woodland plants, so will thrive in shady conditions. However, if watered enough, they can also be grown in sunlight.

A gardener will be able to help you out with landscaping, planting and maintaining your garden, no matter how big or small it is. Most gardeners charge by the hour, so it won’t matter how much or how little work you have for them. If you are going to hire a gardener, make sure you know what you are going to want them to help you with you that you can select someone with the relevant skill set.

You can find lots of gardeners online who will be available for you to hire. You may also be able to get recommendations from your friends and neighbours. This can be important, as a gardener is about much more than simply having someone who is going to be working in your garden. They also need to be someone who is honest and reliable, who will arrive on time and who you can trust to work on your home.

Too many flowers can actually be detrimental to a garden. They can get out of hand, threatening to swamp other plants and flowers. You get a good balance by also incorporating foliage and greens into your garden. Here are some things to think about:

• Think about colours. Use heucheras to create a range of colours, from purples and reds to greens and yellows. Some also have attractive flowers as well.
• It will be more low maintenance. A range of shrubs, trees and grasses will help to keep the weeds at bay and will not need pruning.
• Evergreens are beautiful year round. A garden that uses evergreens will still be stunning in winter when everything else has died off.
• Heucherellas will also add height and colour. They are shade tolerant so can be grown easily in places where flowers may not thrive. The combination of green leaves and delicate flowers add interest.

Lilies are beautiful, striking flowers that will usually bloom in the summer months. They can be grown in containers very successfully as they can be placed somewhere that gives them plenty of light and they can be planted in the correct soil. They should be planted in autumn, though they could also be planted until the spring.

Most lily varieties can be planted in multi-purpose compost. However, certain varieties will not grow well in lime and should therefore be planted in ericaceous compost. There should be a layer in the bottom of the container for drainage, unless planting in a plastic container that is raised up off the ground.

Liles need to be in moist soil but should not be overwatered. They will grow best when fed a high potassium liquid fertiliser every few weeks. They shouldn’t be left out in the frost and need to get plenty of sunlight.

Summer is the season for beautiful, bright bulbs. Lots of flowers will be blooming from June onwards as the weather starts to get warmer, and they will probably continue until September or October, depending on the weather and temperature. Here are some of the flowers you might expect to see in gardens throughout the summer:

• Iris. Enjoy a mix of colours like blues, violets and apricots from the many different varieties of Iris.
• Oriental Lily. The pink blooms of this Lily definitely show summer is here. They can be grown in containers very easily and will flower well.
• Allium. Perfect for flowerbeds, Alliums come in a mix of colours that will add vibrancy and interest to any garden.
• Anemones. Add a touch of blue to your garden and enjoy the flowers from July through to September.
• Begonia. One of the benefits of the Begonia is that it will last all summer long. Grow them in containers like hanging baskets.