Seasonal Cycles in the Garden

Lynn Hill, award-winning garden designer, shares her expertise in choosing the best plants for your East Lothian garden.

One of the things that I love most about the garden in autumn is the optimism that accompanies the planting of spring bulbs. Now is the time to add a selection to greet us early next year and extend the seasonal interest in our gardens with bursts of colour as early as February or March.

It is an activity that illuminates the cycle of nature. As the nights draw in and the garden heads for sleep, we prepare for renewal – the inevitable awakening that will follow from winter, the turn of the wheel that takes us to spring.

There is something magical about the arrival of snowdrops (Galanthus). Their subtle elegance heralds the arrival of a new year in the garden. But when it comes to colour, Glory of the Snow (Chionodoxa) really makes me smile. Crocus are another ‘must have’. Keep it sophisticated with a simple palette of purple and white, or go all out and celebrate the new gardening year with a mixed bag, giving a rainbow of colour.

Spring bulbs are a brilliant way of filling the gaps in our borders before the perennial plants appear. Succession planting is key. This not only extends the seasonal interest in our gardens; it also provides vital food sources for bees and other pollinating insects early in the year. Including nectar-rich plants that span the seasons goes a long way in creating a garden full of biodiversity and a haven for wildlife.

Next up comes the daffodils. I hear a lot of debate about the best way to tidy the inevitable messy leaves after they bloom. For me, it is all about putting them in pots that can then be placed somewhere unobtrusive after they have given their show… and indeed, it is a show. Nothing says spring has arrived quite like a daffodil!

Next – tulips. There are so many varieties to choose from depending on your preference. There is something quite special about the lily flowering varieties and Tulipa ‘Ballerina’ lives up to the gracefulness of its name. It gives a spectacular pop of colour too, which provides a lovely lift to the garden.

For a playful touch, plant some Allium hollandicum ‘Purple Sensation’. Their globe flowerheads add a magnificent structural element. You can even leave them in situ after flowering, as the architecture of their seedheads provides a wonderful addition to the planting scheme.

As the gardening year draws to a close, there is still much to look forward to. Good garden design is all about embracing the seasons and creating a garden with interest that changes throughout the year. This brings diversity to our gardens, which I love.

As with all things, diversity is to be enjoyed and celebrated. It makes for an interesting world that would be all the poorer and much more boring without it. Variety is the spice of life. Choose spring flowering bulbs that reflect your unique taste and bring you joy. There is a myriad to choose from and something for everyone.

Until next time