Colourful Plants Submitted by Gerry 23 Apr 2008

Last summer proved to be one of the wettest on record with little of the predicted heat wave, which actually took place in April and was the hottest on record.

Despite this, a lot of plants still managed to give a magnificent display of colour and the following photos are just a few examples of how your garden can be brightened up using easily grown and manageable flowers.

1- A photograph of a shrub called ‘Aaron’s beard' a very useful as ground cover and which thrives in poor ground conditions. It has striking yellow flowers with spiky pollen heads resembling shooting stars. Partly deciduous and spreads and flowers every year.	2 & 4 below are examples of Rudbeckia – superb large flowers in late summer with rustic coloured petals and large brown dark eyes. Most suited for the back of a border as it will grow between 1½ and 2 ft tall.
3 - Is a lilium, best grown in tubs and are grown from small bulbs. Colours range from yellow, red, orange, white and pink, to a variety of mottled shades. It is very useful as cut flower. Can be grown in tubs or containers and if left in will multiply and flower each year.	4 - Another example of Rudbeckia a superb large flowers in late summer with rustic coloured petals and large brown dark eyes. Most suited for the back of a border as it the will grow between 1½ and 2 ft tall.
5 & 6 Are beds of busy lizzie and bedding begonia which together produces masses of colour from June right through until the first frost. Best treated as bedding plant but also suitable for tubs and containers.
7 and 8 are examples of Lavatera - Growing to a height of between 1½ and 2 ft tall makes them suitable for the back of the border. These have a beautiful silky texture to the flower and look stunning on a summers day when the breeze blows through them.	8 - Lavatera are very hardy and fast-growing, and freely seeding itself for future years - the ripe seeds are easily gathered for storing before pulling plants up in the autumn. It comes in various shades including pure white and are very attractive to bees as are most of the plants mentioned.
9 - A container of Zantedeschia common name Arum lily with is unusual cup shaped flower heads. It also has striking spotted dark green waxy leaves which gives it a tropical appearance. It flowered each year and is very easy to maintain
10 - The final shot is of a garden, which has yellow marigolds on the outside perimeter, inset with a combination of busy lizzie and bedding begonia. By packing the plants together in this manner it gives a stunning display. In the centre of the lawn are called geranium called ‘Hot Summer’ (Seriously) These need little attention, will withstand hot conditions and need little attention apart from ‘dead heading’ (this encourages the plant to produce more flowers as opposed to developing seed)
Nearly all of the examples are relatively east to grow and if any one wishes to have further information how to do this, please do not hesitate to contact me. Finally most of these flowers are very attractive to bees and other insects and I do hope that you have enjoyed this very small choice of plants. See our other articles on composting. Making your own compost saves you money and gives you a wonderful addition to your garden all provided free by nature. Ask a rubbish question on our forum and receive a rubbish answer.