At this time of the year most of our gardens do not look their best. Large bushes start to look bedraggled and in dire need of pruning, flowers in pots and planters need dead heading and bedding plants are dying off so what is the best way to get your garden ready for winter and looking good?
If you are not an expert gardener, you may need to read up on the best ways to prune back shrubs because different varieties should be pruned at different times of the year. For instance, hydrangea heads should not be removed until springtime whereas lavender should be pruned back before the winter.
Although some planters may still have flowering plants growing, they can often look untidy at this time of the year, so it is best to cut back any dead and dying stems and flowers. Hanging baskets should be taken down and emptied, keeping the containers for next year.
There are plants such as pansies that flower through the autumn and winter and if planted now they will provide your patio with some colour through the colder months. Bulbs should also be planted now either in pots or in the ground to bloom in spring.