The ideal decking plants are those which are both aesthetically attractive and easy to care for.

Decking plants that last for a long time throughout the season means you get the best out of your plants so annuals and perennials that have foliage remain attractive throughout the season.

Shrubs and trees will last a minimum of two seasons, pick the type that give plentiful flowers in the summer and a colourful foliage in the autumn.

For decking plants if you are looking at trees stick to small ones because larger trees will need regular pruning and probably replanting.

If your decking is close to the house decking plants with beautiful fragrance are a great idea, so as soon as you step outside into your garden who immediately get a lovely aroma.  Lavender, when it is low maintenance is a good idea to frame edges and provides a wonderful aroma to your garden.

Plants that attract wildlife and butterflies will bring natural beauty and atmosphere to your garden, attracting beautiful wildlife can be very satisfying and therapeutic to watch.

If your decking is in a shaded area you can’t go for perennials or shrubs that require sun, ensure that your decking plants get the light they require, don’t buy anything that you are going to have problems in growing, it is a waste of money.  When plants are clearly marked that they need full sunlight, then that is exactly what they need.

As long as you take into consideration all the aforementioned factors go for the plants in your favorite colours, another good way to pick your plants is to run the colour scheme or pick some of the colours that run within your property (as they say view your garden as an extension of your home), use some of the colour scheme from inside your home for your decking plants or even the decking surface.

The backbone of every garden is the foliage and is the key to keeping your garden interesting and attractive throughout all seasons so don’t get too hung up on the colour of flowers alone. Mix plants so shapes, colours, textures and leaf sizes differ to keep it interesting.