There are over one million people in Scotland who are regular gardeners according to the Scottish Environmental Horticulture Growth Strategy - making it one of the country’s most popular activities.
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.
And those of us not lucky enough to have access to a garden can still exercise their green fingers on window boxes perched on ledges.
And there are plenty of pretty flowering plants that can thrive in these restricted conditions - even in the notoriously unpredictable Scottish climate.
Here are 12 of the very best.
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5. Begonia
Tuberous begonias produce large, ruffled blooms in a rainbow of bright and cheery shades. They tolerate the long periods without sunshine common to the Scottish climate and provide colour outside your windown even when skies are overcast. They perform best in partial shade and flower all summer. | Canva/Getty Images
6. Petunia
With their bold and distinctive trumpet-shaped flowers, petunias offer a striking display in window boxes (or hanging baskets). They need regular deadheading to maximise the number of flowers produces and aren't massive fans of heavy rain (neither are we), but their vibrant colors will always brighten the view from your window. | Canva/Getty Images
7. Pansy
From the same group of plants as the Viola, but with larger flowers, Pansies come in a wide range of colours and are equally resiliant making them a great choice for Scottish window boxes. Perfect for cooler climates, pansies provide bold, colorful blooms through spring and autumn. | Canva/Getty Images
8. Nasturtium
Resilient and incredibly fast-growing, nasturtiums are a perfect plant for Scotland’s cool climate. Their vibrant orange, red, and yellow flowers are eye-catching. As a bonus you can add the leaves and flowers to a salad - a homegrown treat you can pick from your window box. | Canva/Getty Images