Colourful garden ideas: Top 5 Ways to Add Colour to Your Garden in Spring 2024
Spring is finally here! With the days getting longer and the weather warming up, it’s the perfect time to fling open the garden gates and breathe new life into your outdoor space. But after a long winter, your garden beds might be looking a little bland. Fear not! Here are the top 5 ways to inject a vibrant burst of colour into your garden and welcome spring in style:
Blooming Beautiful: Plant Power
There’s no better way to add colour to your garden than with a dazzling display of flowers. When choosing your spring blooms, consider the amount of sunlight different areas of your garden receive. Here are a few springtime colourful garden ideas to get you started:
Sun-Lovers: Pansies, violas, calendula, marigolds (bright oranges and yellows), poppies (reds and pinks). In late summer of autumn, buy and plant bulbs like tulips, daffodils and crocus, for spring colour next year.
Partial Shade: Columbine (blues and purples), foxgloves (pink and white), impatiens (busy Lizzie’s – wide variety of colours)
Shade Seekers: Begonias (red, pink, and white), hostas (variegated green and white), primroses (yellows, pinks, and purples)
Trees: Plant a spring blossom tree, such as a cherry or magnolia. See last month’s blog for more on spring blossom trees.
Think Beyond the Flowers: Colourful Foliage
Don’t underestimate the power of colourful foliage! Plants with vibrant leaves can add year-round interest and create a stunning backdrop for your flowers. Here are a few ideas:
For a Punch of Red: Japanese maples (red and burgundy varieties)
Golden Touches: Forsythia (bright yellow spring flowers), ornamental grasses
Variegated Delights: Hostas (green and white striped varieties), euonymus (green and gold leaves)
Accessorise with Colourful Flair
Don’t forget the finishing touches! Add a burst of colour with decorative planters, birdbaths, and garden ornaments. String colourful lights for a touch of evening magic, or scatter brightly coloured pebbles around your flower beds for a playful pop.
Potted Perfection: Colourful garden ideas for container displays
Container gardening allows you to create pockets of vibrant colour anywhere in your garden, even on patios and balconies. Choose brightly coloured pots to complement your chosen flowers and foliage, and don’t be afraid to mix and match patterns for a playful touch.
Spruce Up Your Surroundings: Paint Your Fence or Walls
A fresh coat of paint can work wonders for a tired-looking fence, shed, or wall. Spring is the perfect time to add a pop of colour to these vertical spaces. Opt for bright and cheerful colours like yellows, blues, or greens to create a welcoming atmosphere.
With a little planning and creativity, you can transform your garden into a vibrant haven of colour this spring. So get out there, get planting, and enjoy the beautiful season!
Owen Hayman
Owen joined the Bestall & Co planting and aftercare team in spring 2019. He is an RHS qualified horticulturist, holding a full Level 3 Diploma in Horticulture, and recently came in the top 3 at the Northern Regional Final of The Young Horticulturist of the Year 2019. After first doing a foundation diploma in Fine Art, he went on to gain a degree and masters in Plant and Soil Science from the University of Sheffield in 2014. Owen worked as a researcher on various field research projects in Alaska, Panama and Borneo. When not away in the field, he became obsessed with visiting gardens and nurseries across the British Isles and the Netherlands, developing his own garden, and then taking on a walled allotment garden as a personal project. He realised his true passion was in horticulture, and so moved away from academia and into the world of specialist plant nurseries and professional gardening.
Owen is now studying the Wisley Diploma, but continues to write articles for us on a monthly basis, and we're delighted to maintain contact with such a passionate and knowledgable plantsman.