The BRIGHTEST and best

There’s no excuse for a drab autumn or winter garden with these cheerful seasonal bloomers.

- ALICE SPENSER-HIGGS

1 BACOPA MEGACOPA ‘PINK IMPROVED’

A better garden performer than the original pink, its larger, deep pink blooms cover the entire plant. It also has improved heat tolerance. Well branched, it forms a low mound of colour, with a spread of 30cm. It quickly fills containers and hanging baskets.

Growing tips: Plant in full or morning sun in moist, well-composted soil, spacing plants 30–46cm apart. Water thoroughly to establish them then reduce the amount. Good drainage is essential.

2 ANTIRRHINUM (SNAPDRAGON) SNAPSHOT ‘BURGUNDY BICOLOUR’

This is ideal for the winter flower garden as its deeper colours add richness to borders. The bushy, compact plants, 25cm high and wide, send up a profusion of dwarf spikes of fragrant flowers. For impact, plant them in swathes or pockets. They also perform well in containers and hanging baskets.

Growing tips: Plant in full sun, in fertile, well-drained soil and water regularly so that the soil surface stays moist but not soggy. Fertilise twice a month for continual flowering. Remove spent flower heads to encourage new blooms.

3 NEMESIA NESIA ‘DENIM’