Building a garden from scratch can seem a daunting prospect, which is why Sunnyside homeowners Robert and Vivienne can provide some inspiration.

Having moved in just over a year ago, the garden in front of their four-bedroomed detached home is in full bloom – with an impressive vegetable harvest in progress in the back garden as well.

With bright yellow sunflowers and eye-catching dahlias surrounded by nasturtium and fuschia, it’s a riot of colour as we hit the heights of Scottish summertime.

“It was a bit of a blank canvas when we moved in last year and the idea was to create something that gives colour all year round,” said Robert.

With primroses and a dwarf weeping cheery tree in the centre of the lawn providing some early spring brightness, the focus has now turned to the flowers.

Robert does admit there was a bit of forward planning involved.

“The team at Sunnyside were very helpful and when I asked for a two-foot border to be left out front, it gave me the ideal place to start.

“Most of the dahlias were brought from our previous home in Banchory, but I have introduced a few new varieties here. We’re also growing the teddy bear sunflowers with their golden-yellow fluffy blooms alongside the more traditional versions,” he said.

Rocky start

At the start of the year, Robert introduced a small rock garden. And who better to ask for some bits of stone than the Sunnyside construction team?

“There were rocks around here but they were all rounded and not ideal for what I was looking for,” he said.

“I thought there was no harm in asking and the team came through with some pieces of glorious Sunnyside granite. It’s made a great display for something a little different in the garden.”

And the growing doesn’t stop there. Robert has created a separate raised bed in the back garden for his vegetable crops. With a very good broad bean crop and the onions and beetroot coming on well, he’s also looking forward to the potato harvest later in the year.

There is more in the works with another raised bed already in construction and a greenhouse to be built in time.

Although Robert’s hard work must make him the envy of his neighbours, he has some simple advice.

“Don’t worry about other people, just do it for yourself. I get so much enjoyment from my garden – while it can take a bit of maintenance, it’s such a relaxing place and seeing it in bloom is very rewarding,” he said.