East-facing gardens: pick the best plants

Plants with early buds or shoots are best avoided, as frozen leaves and flower buds can be damaged when the early sun thaws them too quickly. Acers may suffer on exposed sites, and early spring bloomers, such as magnolia and camellia may be susceptible to damage. But losing the afternoon sun extends the bloom season of many flowers, and roses hold their colour best when shaded from the afternoon sun.

Plants to pick for an east-facing garden

Roses planted in an east-facing section of the garden usually thrive. Moisture that has collected overnight on their foliage will dry off early in the day, preventing mildew and fungal diseases. Albas are the best roses, but gallicas, damasks, centifolias and rugosas do very well, too.

Hydrangeas (above) bloom slightly later in the season, when all danger of late frosts has passed. There are lots of hydrangeas to choose from, but I love H. macrophylla ‘Quadricolor', a lacecap with unique yellow and cream-splashed foliage. Also look at the ‘Mariesii' types, particularly the award-winning trio of ‘Grandiflora', ‘Lilacina' and ‘Perfecta'. H. aspera Villosa Group have velvety foliage and late-summer flower heads the size of dinner plates. In the right conditions, these shrubs may reach over 3m (10ft) high and wide, so allow them room!

The honeysuckle Lonicera periclymenum ‘Graham Thomas' loves the semi-shade of an east-facing wall, bearing white flowers tinged yellow with age.

Geraniums are superb for providing a flowering weed-proof carpet in east-facing gardens. G. macrorrhizum is a semi-evergreen plant that sprays magenta flowers from its deeply cut leaves, while G. nodosum gives a continuous supply of pale mauve flowers all through the summer in dry shade.

As happy in damp shade as it is in dry sunshine, the Arum lily, Zantedeschia aethiopica ‘Crowborough', has dark green leaves and immaculate white flowers growing to 2ft or more. It looks good in a pot, too.

Finally, tree ferns add impact, height and architectural interest - Dicksonia antarctica is a beautiful giant of a fern.

Tip: Acidic soils produce blue hydrangea blooms and alkaline soils produce pink. White flowers aren't affected by pH level. Add a blueing compound for a neutral pH.