Producing a year-round attraction

Hardy annuals only offer a quick fix for the duration of summer when they’re used to turn an otherwise bare patch of land into an attractive flower border. Therefore, why not inject an element of continuity that will turn the display into a year-round attraction.

Begin by digging over and adding composted material or well-rotted organic matter to the soil along with a general fertiliser, because some of the plants to consider will benefit from its presence.

Dwarf bulbs are ideal for such situations. Choose wisely and they can emerge and perform as early as February with Eranthis (aconite) and Galanthus (snowdrops), closely followed by Cyclamen coum, crocus and narcissi. March brings a diversity of others into the picture, especially Iris reticulata, until tulips appear in our garden way beyond Easter.

Currently, swathes of pretty, blue, Chionodoxa (glory of the snow) which have a carpet effect under trees, are the must-see attraction at The Alnwick Garden. Apart from their obvious colourful displays all of these bulbs demand the minimum of attention, increase in number, and turn up each year to entertain.

A touch of late spring bedding from the primula family, polyanthus, or primrose perhaps, can cover the void between bulbs fading and summer flowers blooming. We use Primula veris (cowslips) and P. ‘Guinevere’ to delight us.

The addition of lavender and nepeta (catmint) secures a continuous feast for insects and humankind until autumn. That’s when four favourite herbaceous perennials, echinacea, rudbeckia, gaillardia and helenium come into their own.

We cannot ignore those winter shrubs that offer a combination of coloured bark, variegated leaves and highly scented flowers? Surely you can find room for one in your new border. There are so many choices!