Perk up YOUR PATIO

Our guide to the best plants and clever ideas to bring much-needed colour to your containers

- LARA BERRY

Choose colourful blooms

Geraniums are a great choice for adding colour to your patio – the flowers can last for months, taking you right the way through summer and into autumn. These plants love a sunny spot; the more light they get, the better they bloom. Water regularly and don’t forget to deadhead them – you’ll be rewarded in no time.

Hang them high

When it comes to planning your patio scheme, you don’t have to restrict your containers to the floor. Wall-mounted baskets, pots and troughs can help to introduce summer colour at another level. Pansies are a brilliant, budgetfriendly choice, bringing a whole host of colours and, as versatile plants, they do well in all sorts of containers.

Pick a selection of easy growers