Get out in the garden and make it snappy

Several newcomers starred at Chelsea, including the dainty ‘Chic Famille’, edged with purple, or the striking ‘Souffle Chaud’, selected for its unique burned orange petals. Bearded iris need a well-drained and sunny site, where dry soil is essential.

If your iris has failed to flower, it may be because the conditions are too damp or shady. IF YOU’VE never been good at taking pictures of beautiful blooms to share on Instagram, now is the time to brush up on your skills.

You don’t need a sophisticated camera or tons of equipment to get great pictures, just pick up your phone or digital camera and get out there.

Rosie Nixon, flower photographer and Dobbies plant expert, knows exactly how to bring a garden to life through the lens.

Recognised as a top Scottish gardening blogger by plant and seed company Thompson & Morgan and with a lifetime of horticultural and photographic experience, Rosie explains: “I’d always recommend that gardeners take pictures of their garden – it’s a great way to track progress and helps you become more aware of what’s actually going on.

Rosie offers the following tips to get snap happy in the garden this spring: Cayeux Iris Souffle Chaud, see info@iris-cayeux Victorian Violas Viola Bridie, see hawkesmillnurseries.co.uk

JACOB’S LADDER

A NEW cultivar at Chelsea this year named ‘Kaleidoscope’ is as exciting AVOID DISTRACTIONS REMOVE distracting elements like

RISE AND SHINE EARLY mornings, evenings and hazy or cloudy days are the best times to take your garden photos. MOVE CLOSER KNEEL or lie down and look at your garden on the screen of your camera phone or camera viewfinder. CONSIDER YOUR SUBJECT TAKE your time and let your eyes roam until you see something that interests you. Look at a few of the buds, flowers, seedheads or leaves and try to find one that is in the best condition, or that stands out from the rest.