April is a great time to plant new additions to your garden, whether it’s for borders, pots, or containers. This month allows later-blooming plants to establish themselves before they put on their display, and for those already at their best to offer an instant pop of colour. Here are some top recommendations from horticultural experts on what to plant in April.

• Dickon Harding, gardens and landscape manager at Raby Castle, Park and Gardens, recommends planting Foxgloves.
• Chris Kersey, the ornamental garden supervisor of Lost Gardens of Heligan, recommends planting Nepeta, a more compact variety of catmint.
• Chris Kersey also recommends Salvia microphylla for a spot with full sun.
• Dickon recommends White Gaura for a sun lover.
• Emma Fell, head of horticulture at Hillier Garden Centre and Nurseries, recommends planting Scabiosa for a continuous source of nectar for pollinators.
• Chris Kersey recommends Euphorbia characias subsp. Wulfenii for its stunning appearance.
• Emma Fell also recommends Lewisia for its vibrant, star-shaped flowers.
• Stephanie Harrod, founder of Harrod Horticultural, recommends planting Geranium “Rozanne” for long-lasting colour.

What to plant in April, according to gardening professionals
Gardening professionals have shared their top recommendations for what to plant in April. Here are some tips and plant suggestions to get you started:

1. Foxgloves (Digitalis purpurea)
1. Dickon recommends planting foxgloves for their tall spires that can reach 2m and are great focal points in a mixed border.
2. Dickon also recommends planting foxgloves for their ability to attract wildlife and provide a random scattering of seeds.
3. Dickon notes that foxgloves prefer rich soil and can be prone to frost, so be sure to plant them in a sheltered spot.
2. Nepeta (Nepeta racemosa “Walkers Low”)
1. Chris Kersey recommends planting nepeta for its compact growth and ability to thrive in well-drained soil.
2. Chris notes that nepeta can be given a “Chelsea Chop” for a second flowering later in the season.
3. Chris also highlights nepeta’s ability to attract pollinators and its suitability for edging along pathways.
3. Salvia microphylla
1. Chris recommends planting salvia microphylla for its compact growth and long flowering period.
2. Chris notes that salvia microphylla prefers full sun and should be watered regularly during summer dry spells.
3. Chris also recommends salvia microphylla for its ability to attract pollinators and its suitability for container plants.
4. White Gaura (Oenothera lindheimeri)
1. Dickon recommends planting white gaura for its bushy growth and ability to thrive in well-drained soil.
2. Dickon notes that white gaura is drought-tolerant and can be planted in a sheltered spot.
3. Dickon also recommends white gaura for its ability to attract wildlife and provide a random scattering of seeds.
5. Scabiosa
1. Emma Fell recommends planting scabiosa for its continuous source of nectar for pollinators.
2. Emma notes that scabiosa prefers well-drained soil and can be a low-maintenance choice for gardeners.
3. Emma also recommends scabiosa for its suitability for sunny borders and its ability to attract bees and butterflies.
6. Euphorbia characias subsp. Wulfenii
1. Chris recommends planting euphorbia for its stunning appearance and ability to thrive in well-drained soil.
2. Chris notes that euphorbia is generally disease-free and can be planted in a sheltered spot.
3. Chris also recommends euphorbia for its ability to attract pollinators and provide a unique, architectural feature in the garden.
7. Lewisia
1. Emma Fell recommends planting lewisia for its vibrant, star-shaped flowers and ability to thrive in sunny, well-drained soil.
2. Emma notes that lewisia is a low-maintenance choice and can be planted in a variety of locations.
3. Emma also recommends lewisia for its ability to attract pollinators and provide a unique, charming feature in the garden.
8. Geranium “Rozanne”
1. Stephanie Harrod recommends planting geranium “Rozanne” for its long-lasting colour and ability to thrive in well-drained soil.
2. Stephanie notes that geranium “Rozanne” can be planted in a variety of locations and can handle both sun and partial shade.
3. Stephanie also recommends geranium “Rozanne” for its ability to attract pollinators and provide a low-maintenance choice for gardeners.

What bulbs to plant in April for summer or autumn flowering? Some bulbs can be planted in April for summer or autumn flowering. Here are a few recommendations from Chris Kersey:

1. Eucomis bicolor (pineapple lily)
1. Chris recommends planting eucomis bicolor for its tropical-looking perennial with tall, pineapple-shaped flower spikes.
2. Chris notes that eucomis bicolor prefers sunny spots and will flower best near the front of a border.
3. Chris also recommends eucomis bicolor for its ability to attract pollinators and provide a unique, architectural feature in the garden.
2. Lilium “Claude Shride”
1. Chris recommends planting lilium “Claude Shride” for its deep, mahogany red sprays of nodding flowers on tall stems.
2. Chris notes that lilium “Claude Shride” prefers light shade and will attract butterflies to the garden.
3. Chris also recommends lilium “Claude Shride” for its ability to provide a unique, charming feature in the garden.

What plants to plant in shade in April? There are a few plants that can be planted in shade in April.