There’s nothing better than going home after a stressful day and enjoying time in your garden. It’s a place to relax, enjoy great food and socialise with your loved ones. But gardens can also be a functional space where you can enjoy a healthier lifestyle.
Whether it’s growing vegetables and herbs or adding plants to attract more wildlife to your outdoor area, there are vital things you should know – especially when it comes to British gardens.
So, let’s dive in and reveal what plants you can – and should – grow in your garden.
The Best Plant Options
It’s challenging to know which plants will grow well in the typical British garden because we have such dramatic weather variations. There’s also shady areas to consider and how much maintenance you’re willing to perform.
So, with those factors in mind, let’s look at the easiest plants to grow in your garden.
Zinnia
Bees love Zinnia plants, so they’re ideal if you want to add some colour to your garden. They come in a range of bright and cheerful blooms, including purple, orange, red and yellow.
Fuchsia
One of the most well-known plants in the British garden, Fuchsia’s are incredibly easy to grow and will last a long time. The plants grow well in the shade and usually have white tones, with red, purple and pink elements.
Hydrangea
Named as the RHS Plant of the year in 2014, Hydrangeas are full of colour, and there are over 70 species that fall under the category. The best version to grow in British gardens is the Saori, which plant breeders have cultivated.
Sunflowers
There’s something so magical about the Sunflower that’s almost indescribable. While some people think it only comes in a yellow variety, there are orange, red and even white varieties. Sunflowers also draw in a range of wildlife, including ladybugs, birds, butterflies, squirrels and hedgehogs.
Lavender
Lavender is ideal if you want to add some fragrance to your garden. It’s also popular as a drawer liner or bubble bath, so there’s plenty you can do with your lavender plants. They’re also straightforward to grow and make excellent border plants.
Roses
Roses are one of the most popular British plants because they symbolise love and passion. The most popular variations include red, pink and white roses, representing different feelings and emotions.
While red roses are a Valentine’s Day staple, white roses are often associated with weddings, and pink varieties mean France and elegance.
Primrose
Primrose grows well in conservatories and will also work as an indoor plant, so it’s ideal if you lack outdoor space. If you want to grow Primrose in your garden, it’s best to go for a Wanda variety, which is strong enough to withstand the elements.
The Best Vegetable Options
There’s nothing better than heading to your garden and picking some vegetables for your dinner. You know what goes into growing them, so it’s a great lifestyle choice. You’ll also save a lot of money on supermarket produce.
So, which vegetables should you grow in your garden?
Tomatoes (Not a vegetable)
It’s probably best to get the fact that tomatoes aren’t a vegetable out of the way first. They grow so well in vegetable patches, though, and are a staple in salads, so we’ll call them an honorary member of the vegetable kind.
Tomatoes are also incredibly easy to grow, so if you’re new to gardening, they’re an excellent place to start.
Salad Leaves
One of the most popular salad leaves to grow is a rocket. The simple leaf goes well with lettuce to create an excellent base for a traditional salad with its strong taste. You can mix a variety of leaves, including oak-leaf, romaine and iceberg lettuce.
Potatoes
The humble potato is one of the most versatile vegetables to grow in your garden. You can use it in roast dinners, to make chips, and so much more. All you need to do is plant them into the ground and cover them with leaves so they can harvest later.
If you want to go for something different from the traditional white potato, you can plant red potatoes with more sugar but less starch than the white variety.
Peas
Peas are incredibly easy to grow, and you can even use a container for windowsill planting. It’s important to mention that some pea varieties require staking, which is the practice of holding up the plants to allow them to grow.
If you want to use containers instead of staking, half-pint pea varieties are a great starting point.
Runner Beans
Runner beans are a staple for British households, and the green vegetable is packed full of nutrients. The vegetable grows quickly and is a perfect option if you don’t have much time to maintain your plants.
If you pick your beans every day, the plant will continue to give you a consistent quantity that tastes fresh and benefits the environment.
Sweetcorn
You can plant sweetcorn directly into the ground or in plant pots – but make sure you keep it to one per pot, or they won’t flourish. It can be pretty difficult to evaluate when your sweetcorn is ready to eat, but the best thing to do is push on a cob, and if the juice looks milky, then it isn’t ready.
Things to Consider
Growing plants in your garden is a wonderful experience, and it can improve your physical and mental wellbeing. However, if you’re new to gardening, it can be challenging to know where to start and which areas of your garden you should sow seeds.
If you want to enjoy a lifestyle change, asking a specialist landscaping company to come up with a bespoke garden plan, including areas to plant your seeds and tailored advice, can save you a lot of time and money.
A garden isn’t just for growing pretty flowers and enjoying your own produce; you can also use your space to create a range of holistic medicines. You can see the complete guide here.
