On 12 June, Mark Saunders gave the Grayshott Gardeners a very enjoyable and informative lecture on how to have wonderful displays in your garden space during every season of the year.

He started with the Autumn Season when gardens can start to look a little drab after the Spring and Summer colours, but he pointed out that there are some plants which can flower until October, not forgetting that October is the time when you should be thinking about bulbs and sowing seeds which can be done inexpensively by ordering from catalogues.

Mark showed the audience some of the wreaths he made for Christmas, all the foliage was from the garden, demonstrating that the foliage from the garden can make colourful things to celebrate the festive season.    Wisley have created a winter display garden and some other public gardens have created a light display for this time of year.  During Mid-February, you should start sowing seeds in pots for the Summer.  Dahlias that were lifted should be potted up now.

Mark said seeds could be sewn directly into the ground in Summer as the ground is warmer.  The best way to do this is to mix seeds into compost and scatter on the beds.  This is a good way of filling spaces in the boarders.  Summer is the also the time to plant up colourful pots they are a good way of drawing attention to where you want peoples eyes to go. 

There are lots of gardens to visit for ideas such as Great Dixter, Wisley, West Dean, not forgetting the wonderful display of tulips at Arundel in West Sussex.

Mark Saunders is the head gardener of Fittleworth House.  The garden is part of the National Garden Scheme and is open by arrangement from 22 April to 22 August.