Hydrangeas 'bring life and colour' to autumn

14:03 15th November 2011

Greenhouse enthusiasts might be interested to learn that hydrangeas can help provide much needed colour and life to the garden when most other shrubs have stopped flowering by autumn time, it has been claimed.

According to former Gardeners' World presenter Nigel Colborn, writing in his blog, people should be looking to buy and plant their summer shrubbery now. He added that gardeners should look to keep their old flowers in the ground as they can provide some protection against harsh winter.

Colborn also suggested that people should leave newly-planted shrubs untouched for at least a year in order to give them a chance to firmly establish their roots.

"Those who scorn hydrangeas overlook the diversity of this superb plant family. Some, such as Hydrangea serrata, have gently coloured lacecap blooms of constantly changing hue," he added.

Earlier this month, Colborn urged people to plant colourful flowers over the winter as the more alluring they can make their gardens, the more likely it is that the patch will be tended to in the cold.