With bright block colours creeping back into our homes and our wardrobes is it time that we became bold in the garden?

It could be an effect of the current economic climate, or that we haven't had a proper summer in the last two years, but things are beginning to brighten up! Minimalist muted tones have been a favourite for a long time, but recently interior and fashion magazines are full of images of bold, bright, block colours. Glass box extensions designed to bring the outside in and create a seamless flow from one area to the other are increasingly popular, so surely it makes sense that a bright colourful garden will be next on the list. If this statement fills you with dread while you conjure up images from the 1960's of multi coloured bedding plants, don't fear, there are plenty of contemporary 'hot' species that can be used to add a little bit of spice to your garden at any time of the year.

Autumn is the obvious season to start if you want to slowly introduce colour into the garden. A popular choice is the Acer or Japanese maple. Plants sold under this name vary but they all produce graceful and elegant networks of branches and leaves that turn rich red or scarlet in autumn. If you're feeling really bold, Parthenocissus quinquefolia (Virginia creeper) is famous for the brilliance of its autumn colour, however these climbers are extremely vigorous and therefore not suitable for small spaces.

Dull grey winter days could always use an injection of colour. Cornus alba 'Sibirica' (red barked dogwood) is a favourite with its erect, shiny winter stems, brilliantly glowing red. Hamamelis (witch hazel) is a splendid and reliable winter flowering shrub with many attractive yellow, orange and red varieties producing masses of fragrant flowers on its bare branches. These can still be borne into spring, withstanding harsh weather conditions undamaged.

Named after the Greek goddess of the rainbow, Irises come in many spectacular colours and are particularly attractive beside water. Although they can be short lived, flowering late spring to early summer, their flowers are suitable for cutting. Literally bringing the outside, in.

Summer really brings the chance to get sizzling in the garden and the Kniphofia caulescens (red hot poker) lives up to it's name. Striking blue-grey evergreen leaves produce dramatic thick stalked flower spikes in red and yellow, not unlike Ligularia 'The Rocket' whose yellow daises cover the great, black stemmed flower spikes protruding from it's jagged leaves.

Finally, bulbs are a fantastic way of introducing a splash of something in the garden and are perfect for the novice gardener. Alliums such as A. giganteum, A. hollandicum and A. 'Globemaster' (prevalent at Chelsea last year) have huge purple spherical flower heads that look spectacular against an evergreen background, lest we forget that green is still a bold, bright colour after all.