A bespoke orangery or conservatory extension to your home can help you to enjoy the beauty of your garden all year round, whilst remaining sheltered and comfortable. The changing seasons from summer to autumn can be fascinating to observe, as nature throws up vivid deep reds, rich ambers and vibrant yellows amid the softer browns of fading foliage.
If you already have the benefit of these light-filled spaces, or if you plan to install one in the future, then designing your garden for year-round interest and colour will help to maximise your enjoyment of it. Here are some planting suggestions that will bring colour and interest to your garden, no matter if it is autumn, winter, spring or summer.
Trees and shrubs for colour throughout the seasons
Aim to have some evergreen trees and shrubs in your garden that will keep their leaf colour and texture all year round. For example, laurel, holly and box are hardy, easy to grow, and will withstand the climate in most areas of the UK. Think about the location of your evergreens throughout the garden to balance out the deciduous shrubs and trees.
Trees for autumn colour
The advantage of deciduous trees is that many of them have stunning vibrant leaf colours in the autumn. For example, the acer, also known as the Japanese maple, has leaves that turn from green to a beautiful orange, followed by rich red and purple in the autumn. Cotinus coggygria trees also produce fiery gold or red leaves as summer fades.
If you have a larger garden, rowan trees produce bright red berries as the leaves turn yellow in autumn. The berries will also attract a range of wild birds to feed, adding further interest to your garden. The berries are also edible to humans when cooked, so they can be used to make jams, sauces, and so on.
Best shrubs for autumn
Shrubs work well in any size of garden, as they can be grown in larger beds and borders, or even in containers in smaller gardens. Viburnums produce lovely autumnal shades as the leaves change from summer green to copper and red, and they also produce pretty white or pink flowers in the spring and summer time.
Cornus is a deciduous shrub that also produces clusters of white flowers in early summer, and come autumn, the oval green leaves transition to eye-catching yellow and red tones. Mountain witch alder, also known as fothergilla, is a deciduous shrub that has white summer blooms, and vibrant autumn foliage.
Cotoneaster is a resilient evergreen shrub that will tolerate most soil types, and produces red berries in the autumn to attract garden birds. Meanwhile, hydrangeas are a trusty standby that can be found in many English gardens, and will produce summer blooms and maintain their leaves throughout the winter.
Flowers for autumn
Bedding flowers will add a bright splash of colour to your garden well into the colder months. For example, pansies are highly resilient and available in a wide variety of colours. They are handy and easy to grow in baskets, pots, or borders. Asters are a great choice for early autumn colour, providing purple, pink and white hues, and are hardy and low maintenance.
Border perennials that come into their own in autumn include bergenia, helenium, and Chinese Lanterns.
Grasses for autumn
Ornamental grasses add movement and texture to your garden during the winter. They can be grown in large pots or containers, or incorporated into beds and borders. Species such as miscanthus or stipa have feathery stems that will gently ripple in the breeze, catching your eye as you look across the garden from your orangery during the winter.
Grasses can be used to break up larger areas of lawn, punctuate pathways, or soften stone, wood or metal features and help to lead the eye around the garden. Grow them in large pots so you have the flexibility to move them around the garden as the seasons change, and experiment with the best positioning.
Enhance your garden with lights
Make the most of your garden even as the days get shorter by installing some lights. This will enable you to view your outdoor space from your conservatory or orangery during the evenings. Think about which features you want to highlight, such as a striking tree, a water fountain, or a sculpture perhaps.
There are various options available, from simple solar powered lights that can be mounted on posts or fences, to LED uplighters that can be placed along the edges of paths or underneath trees or other focal points and features. You can also use festoon lighting to soften sheds, fences, and bare winter trellises.
Create wildlife friendly features
Set up bird feeders and bird baths to attract wildlife to your garden in the autumn and winter. This will help species such as robins, blackbirds and finches survive the colder months when food is scarce, and also bring life and interest to your garden. Nesting boxes will also encourage small birds to set up home in your garden and raise young.
Remember that you don’t need to plan meticulously for autumn colour, because chances are your summer plants, trees and flowers will produce some seasonal interest. However, it’s always worth checking when you do buy a new plant what type of autumn foliage it has; the brighter the better so you can enjoy the view from indoors.
Add some cosy touches to your orangery
Finally, make sure the indoors is cosy and inviting with plump cushions, rugs, and soft layered lighting. Underfloor heating is an ideal solution to keep orangeries warm in winter, but you can also use portable electric heaters or oil-filled radiators.