In Your Garden: Brighten up those beds before the harsh winter really sets in

AS I walk though my garden each day and look out at the view of the stunning Pentland Hills, I am so grateful for having the space to grow all of my favourite plants and try out new ones.

At the moment, the autumn colours are shining through, with the acers, rhus and blueberries all adding those superb russet foliage tones. The different varieties of grasses are coming into their own with magnificent seed heads that sway in the wind and sparkle in the sunlight.

There are also plenty of flowers to be had in the shrub and herbaceous border: bright blue caryopteris, blousy blooms of hydrangeas and hebes and fuchsias are all at their best just now. Don't forget that shrubs and trees with berries not only look great, but will really be appreciated by visiting birds to supplement their feeding when the weather gets worse.

This week, my mission has been to clear the summer bedding out of the pots on my patio and doorstep and replant for winter and spring colour.

I love pansies and violas as they flower from now right through to May in a huge range of colours and exquisite patterns. I always under-plant with dwarf bulbs like daffodils, crocus, tulips and iris so I have something to look forward to in spring.

I planted some hardy chrysanths which will bloom until the end of the year and can then be cut back to grow up again next year. They come in lovely colours, from all the warm autumn shades of yellow, orange and reds but also crisp whites, shades of pinks and deep burgundy.

Another plant which is great in containers is the mini miracle cyclamen, which being hardy down to -5C is ideal for a pot beside your door. I planted white, pink and red ones and I love the fact they are scented, too, so I put it right where I walk by so the perfume drifts up to my nose.

I used a multi-purpose compost and added some water-retaining granules to reduce the need for watering. I know it sounds crazy in the winter, but when all the foliage grows and covers the containers, the rain doesn't really have much effect.

Don't put slow-release fertiliser in as it only works in higher temperatures and the feed in the compost is plenty for the plants until springtime when you can use some liquid fertiliser to top them up.

If you have some space in borders, why not try some of the spring flowering bedding? I planted sweet William with beautiful shades of pinks and reds, some of the new Treasure variety of wallflower which blooms earlier than the old ones, and is more reliable, along with scented stock which is a gorgeous way to welcome the spring.

I also gave my lawn what I hope is its last cut for the year, but you never know! I trimmed the edges and applied some autumn lawn fertiliser which really builds up the roots to protect the grass over the winter.

Don't worry, it won't make it grow fast. It looks very smart now and really sets off the borders round about it.

What a difference a day has made to my garden and it is now all set for the winter, with lots of colour planned to see me through to spring.

Carolyn Spray is director of Pentland Plants, Loanhead, www.pentlandplants.co.uk, 0131-440 0895. She is also a presenter on the BBC's Beechgrove Garden. Visit Carolyn at the nursery if you would like more advice on autumn gardening.