With spring now well underway, many of us are looking at our outdoor spaces and thinking about giving them some TLC after another long winter.
According to the Scottish Environmental Horticulture Growth Strategy there are over one million people in Scotland who are regular gardeners.
From communal tenement gardens to expansive private grounds, we love our borders, rockeries, lawns and patios.
It’s hugely satisfying to see a plant you’ve cared for bloom into beautiful flowers, but you need to be careful what you choose and where you place it.
Many of us have gardens that have poor-quality sandy soil. It’s a particular issue in coastal areas - and Scotland has plenty of coast.
Luckily there are many plants with colourful flowers that can positively thrive in these conditions and will also cope with the notoriously unpredictable Scottish climate.
Here are 13 of our favourites.
Make sure you don't miss a moment of breaking news from across Scotland by signing up to our free newsletter here.
13. Common Thyme
An aromatic herb that produces tiny flowers in summer. It prefers sunny, well-drained sandy soil, provides excellent ground coverage, and you can dry it and use it in your cooking. | Canva/Getty Images