Top ten plants for a colourful retro-style garden

First pick is this compact bulb that has grey-green leaves that bloom butter-yellow flowers with bright red markings. Planted in autumn, these bloom in spring, growing up to 25cm tall. They will look great in beds and borders. However, bear in mind they can be toxic if ingested.

Secondly, these rounded heads of flowers have pink and red tones that bloom in summer. A tall perennial that grows to 1 metre in height is a great addition to the back of a border. Alternatively, nestled amongst ornamental grasses will give quite the impact.

Next is a hardy, deciduous shrub that grows to 2 metres tall and they will provide plenty of colour. During spring and summer, the stems are green and are joined by small white flowers, then in autumn the stems turn a vivid orange-red colour.

This bulbous perennial has dark, green leaves and deep burgundy flowers that have orange tips. These dramatic colours will add something special to your beds, borders and containers as well as making great cut flowers to bring their joy inside.

Without a doubt this fern will add something special to a retro style garden. With fronds that grow over 60cm in length that are orange-red in when they unfurl and become golden, then green. They are hardy in coastal and mild parts of the UK, so they do appreciate a sheltered spot.

An evergreen perennial with strap-shaped leaves that grows to 1.5 metres will be a fantastic addition to your border. In summer, the upright stems are topped with flower florets with red-orange colouring which fades to yellow-green. Once flowered, the old flower stems can be cut back.

What better way to contrast with the bright and colourful blooms than with dark and dramatic grass-like leaves. The tufted perennial which is evergreen will provide structure and dramatic colour to your space. A low maintenance plant, they can also be grown in containers.

Bring the retro indoors with the unusual flowers of Strelitzia reginae. With warm temperatures and plenty of sun, the blooms with flourish. Therefore, they grow well in conservatories. Alternatively, they can be planted outside in well-drained soil but be sure to bring them indoors before the frosts as they are only hardy to 10-15˚C.

The spherical flowerheads of globe-thistle will add some fun texture to the garden in summer and autumn. Not only can you enjoy them, but pollinators love them too, making them a great addition to a wildlife garden.

Lastly, this deciduous grass is deep-red in colour and will add some depth to your borders with its tufted texture. They are hardy through most of the UK but may need some winter protection in colder areas. In spring, give the plant a tidy up by removing any dead foliage to keep it fresh.