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I'm a gardening expert – here's the post-heatwave flowers you need to plant now to inject vibrant, seasonal colour
AFTER a scorching weekend, the recent cooler and wetter weather will come as a a welcome relief – especially for keen gardeners.
The turn in conditions give us a perfect opportunity to revive outdoor spaces that have been left looking dull, brown and lifeless by the dry conditions.
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And it's the perfect time for gardens to come alive with colour.
The experts say with just a few standout plants, even the smallest yards can feel refreshed and full of life.
Emma Fell, Head of Horticulture at Hillier Garden Centres, has shared her top picks for injecting vibrant, seasonal colour – from bold dahlias to cheerful rudbeckias.
Whether you're working with a small patio or a full garden bed, these low-effort selections are ideal for bringing gardens back to life.
Dahlia
These pretty flowers are celebrated for their impressive, sculptural blooms that come in an extensive palette of colours and forms.
Emma said: "From delicate pastels to fiery reds and oranges, their versatility makes them an excellent choice for creating impact. They thrive best in full sun with well-drained, fertile soil.
"Regular watering and deadheading will encourage continuous flowering, often lasting from midsummer right through to the first frost. Their striking presence makes them ideal for borders or large containers.'
Garvinea
These blooms bring the same joyful daisy-like blooms and vivid colours as traditional gerbera, but with the added benefit of improved hardiness, the experts say.
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Emma explains: "Unlike typical gerbera, which are often treated as tender bedding or indoor plants, Garvinea are bred to be more robust – able to withstand cooler UK temperatures and even light frosts.
"Available in vibrant shades of pink, red, orange and yellow, they flower prolifically from spring through to autumn.
"Ideal for borders, containers or cut flower displays, they thrive in full sun and well-drained soil, with regular feeding and watering to keep the blooms coming.'
Impatiens
Also known as Busy Lizzies, they are a top choice for shaded areas where many flowering plants struggle.
The expert says: "Their abundant blooms in shades of pink, red, white and purple provide much-needed vibrancy to darker corners of your garden.
"These plants prefer partial shade and moist, well-drained soil (in full shade they will be reduced in flowering).
"Because of their shade tolerance and ease of care, they're perfect for brightening patios, balconies and shaded garden beds.'
Geraniums
Bedding geraniums are a staple for summer colour due to their robust nature and prolific blooming.
Emma says: "Offering bright, cheerful flowers in reds, pinks, whites and purples, these plants are drought-tolerant once established and perform well in full sun to partial shade.
"Their versatility makes them ideal for edging beds, containers or hanging baskets, providing reliable colour throughout the warmer months."
Rudbeckia
These flowers bring warm, golden yellow blooms with dark centres that add a striking contrast to any planting scheme. And they flower from midsummer into autumn.
The garden guru added: "They are excellent for attracting pollinators such as bees and butterflies.
"Rudbeckias prefer full sun and well-drained soil, making them low maintenance yet highly effective plants for summer colour."
