West Carlston Garden Centre, Campsie Road, Torrance, Glasgow G64 4EZ, Tel: 01360 620248
 

This Season's Colours

Gardens never look their best in Autumn and can look terrible in Winter due to the lower levels of light and heat. Don't give up as there are plants that can provide some colour even in the dead of Winter but the range is limited and so is the amount of colour possible.

I have already discussed Bulbs and Autumn/Winter bedding plants and these are still your best bet for colour over the coming months.

Here are a few suggestions for shrubs and trees that will either flower, fruit or produce colourful foliage in the coming months:

  • Rowans are always good value for Autumn colour. There are the usual red berry varieties but there are yellow, orange and white berried varieties too.
  • Pernettya provide berries with really unusual colours - from purple to pearly pink and white berries - not just your usual red.
  • Crab apple trees that produce such lovely flowers in the spring are now producing colourful apples.
  • The bark of Cornus "Alba" will turn red in the Winter.
  • There is a whole range of Heathers that will flower over the coming months.
  • Mahonia produces yellow flowers from about Christmas to February.
  • Winter Jasmine produces yellow flowers from about November to February.
  • The foliage of many trees (but especially Acers) will be changing into their bright Autumn shades about now.
  • Virginia Creeper's foliage is changing just now from green to brilliant red.
  • Variegated Ivies are evergreen and trailing. They make lovely hanging baskets when planted up with some Winter Pansies.
  • May be hard to find, but Prunus Subhirtella "Autumnalis" will flower from about November to January.
  • Hebe "Autumn Glory" produces masses of purple flowers at this time of year.
  • Potentilla, Hydrangea and Hypericum will still have some colour left.
  • Viburnum can flower from November to April depending on the variety.

On a dull Winter's day finding some colour in the garden can be a real tonic.

Article provided by Ron from West Carlston Garden Centre in Torrance.
www.westcarlston.com

This week's Competition: Name a variety of Mahonia

The sender of the first correct e-mail will receive a £10 Gift Voucher.
Ron can be contacted at info@westcarlston.com
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