Blue and white go well together, creating a cool clean look and a sense of distance. Low light conditions are best suited to pastel colours which will look reflective and fragile. Orange and red can look striking and bold when used together, as can blue and yellow and can be used to "heat up" a cool area.
This year’s ‘in’ colours at the Chelsea Flower Show were purple and black. Keep up to date with the latest trends by visiting other gardens but also go with what you know you like. Then decide on a scheme... and stick to it!

Creating year-round interest
Remember that your garden will look different as it evolves through the seasons. Don't let it be a gorgeous riot of colour at the height of summer and then deteriorate into a bare, lifeless space in the winter. A well-planned garden will include some interesting plants that look good in winter, even if they no longer have leaves. Bare branches in winter will give a different feel to your garden than in summer, when they will be fully in leaf.

For more information on seasonal gardening, check out the following UKTV Gardens features...

Gardens For All Seasons
Autumn Gardening Tips
Winter Gardening Tips
Summer Gardening Tips
Spring Gardening Tips
Get Set for Spring

Other suggestions:

Keep a clippings book of cut outs from magazine features and pictures and printed off pages from websites.

Visit gardens for inspiration (including your friend’s gardens!). Check out our feature on Five of the Best Royal Gardens to Visit.

Look for advice on the BBC Gardening website, the RHS website and buy books from Amazon.co.uk. We recommend The Garden Planner by Robin Williams (£7.69) and Design Your Garden, by Diarmuid Gavin (£10.19).

If you’re not already a member of the RHS make sure you join up.

Keep up with the latest trends and put the Chelsea Flower Show in your diary every year as well as other garden events. Check out these features: Chelsea Flower Show 2005, Sven’s Chelsea and Trends at Chelsea 2005.