Summer is all about bright colours, fresh air and spending time soaking up the sun with your loved ones. So, with summer in full swing, let’s take a look at our pick of the top plants that will add a dash of colour to those long evenings.

Gia the Hydrangea

Full of pom-pom-esque flowers, this leafy Hydrangea makes for an eye-catching potted plant. What makes her such a special summer guest is the fact that she'll change colour from pink to blue to white depending on the pH level of her soil. Acidic soil makes her blue, while alkaline will make her blush pink.

But her talents don’t stop there. Originally from Japan, Hydrangea leaves were fermented to make a popular sweet tea called Amacha. There are also antimicrobial properties hidden within her – that could even be used in malaria and diabetes treatment. 

Diana the Dianthus Pink Kisses

This gorgeous Dianthus plant blooms with a pretty pink – a perfect delicate colour for an English garden in the summer. She’s also adored for her pretty, ruffled flowers and delicious clove-like scent. 

The Dianthus plant isn’t a new find. Ancient Greeks and Romans used her to brighten up their villas and her name means ‘flower of love’ or ‘flower of the gods’.

Campbell the Campanula

Also known as the Fairy Bellflower, Campbell the Campanula plant has purple-blue bell-like flowers and a long slender stem. He’s a fittingly elegant plant. 

Typically blooming beautifully around June, Campbell is a great potted plant to set on a patio. If it’s been chilly, you might enjoy his powerful purple flowers as late as September. 

Libby the Lithodora Diffusa

If you’re looking for something compact but that packs a punch, Libby the Lithodora is your go-to gal. She has amazing, star-shaped flowers that bloom in an eye-catching electric blue from late spring to early autumn.

If you were looking for her in the wild, you’d have to search the shrubby areas and woodland of southwestern Europe and parts of the Mediterranean. But you needn’t go that far to brighten up your own garden. She’s right here. 

Dale the Dahlia

"The dahlia you brought to our isle

Your praises forever shall speak;

Mid gardens as sweet as your smile,

And in colour as bright as your cheek"

Lord Holland once wrote about the Dahlia's electric-coloured flowers. They’ll begin to bloom in mid-July and stay for the rest of the summer, in a riot of brilliant colour. We offer a mixed variety here - his buds can have one colour or many, they can be encircled by a single row of petals or several. You never really know what to get with Dale - and that's just part of the fun.

Laurens the Lavender

If you’re going for more of a purple Provencal look this summer, you’ll want some gorgeously fragrant lavender in your garden. His flowers shoot upwards in little bursts; and they’re at their most impressive during the summer months. 

Laurens doesn’t just bring colour. He brings a lovely fragrance as well as natural anti-inflammatory properties. Even better, he’ll provide a little insect-repellent to keep your outdoor space as welcoming as possible in the long evenings. 

However you choose to decorate your garden or conservatory this summer, make sure to bring some colourful and sweet-smelling characters to the party.

If you’d like to shop our full collection of flowery friends for summer, then take a look at our favourite flowering outdoor plants. Alternatively, if you’d like to browse more of our favourite outdoor plants, then take a look at our pick of the 10 best outdoor plants.