Planting outdoor plants can be a rewarding and exciting activity.

Choosing the right type of plant for your particular outdoor space can be difficult. However, after determining your soil type, sunlight exposure, drainage, and space you can determine which plants will work best.

There are so many different types of outdoor plants to choose from that you can easily create a small flower garden or a more elaborate and creative backyard garden, complete with trees, shrubs, and plants.

Perennial and annual plants

Plants that are considered annuals typically live for one year. They are inexpensive and a popular choice for both amateur and avid gardeners alike. Annuals are a quick and easy way to add colour to any outdoor space.

For a longer blooming cycle remove the flowers once they begin to fade. Some of the most popular annuals include periwinkle, marigolds, petunias, and sweet peas. Annuals grow best in richer soil and only require a minimum amount of fertilizer.

Perennials are plants that will return each year, growing in both size and maturity. After approximately 3 or 4 years, perennials begin to lose their vigor. Perennials are quite durable and can be divided in order to grow and produce new plants. Additionally, perennials can be grown from cuttings or seeds. Some common perennials are carnations, delphinium, peony, and salvia.

It is important to note that when planting perennials, the plant will continue to grow in the same spot for many years. Therefore, the soil in your garden must be rich in nutrients, have enough water and adequate drainage in order to nourish the plant for years to come.

Shrubs

For larger spaces, shrubs are a great choice. You can prune them to keep them smaller in size, or let them grow naturally. Shrubs can be flowering or simply produce lush, beautiful foliage. Broom is a popular shrub which produces bright yellow flowers, grows to approximately 2.5 metres in height and thrives in sandy soil. Honeysuckle shrubs are evergreens that can be pruned to any size and can act as a windbreak or a low screen. Sweet briar is a colourful shrub that produces striking pink flowers 3 to 4 centimetres in diameter.

Trees

Trees can be a great addition to any outdoor landscape. You can plant one or two in smaller gardens or in larger areas you can create your own forest. Always remember to leave enough space for the trees to grow and mature. Additionally, ensure there are no objects such as power lines or other objects that may be disturbed by the size and height of the trees.

Holly trees are a beautiful evergreen that produce red or white berries. These trees can withstand cold temperatures and grow best in well-drained and slightly acidic soil.

Rowan trees, commonly known as mountain ash, grow well in poor soil and in areas with high rainfalls. Rowan trees are perfect for armature gardeners but look great in any garden. These trees grow to a height of 10 to 20 metres and produce bright red or orange fruit.

Hawthorn trees are 5 to 15 metres in height and if not pruned can spread wide like a shrub. Hawthorn trees produce beautiful white, red, or pink flowers. These trees will grow in most types of soil and in a variety of sunlight, ranging from full sun to partial shade.

With a huge variety of outdoor plants available there’s no excuse for a boring garden.