All the fun of the fir.

WITH so much colour available in the summer months, we often forget the value of evergreens, yet plants such as conifers prove vital throughout the seasons, adding colour and structure to any scene.

National Conifer Week, organised by the Association of British Conifer Growers, runs from October 1 and may provide inspiration as garden centres will be offering a tempting range of conifers covering both well-known varieties and the more unusual for some "wow" factor.

Notcutts landscape designer Mark Pumphrey says conifers can be used effectively within a hot colour scheme to produce a modern look and are ideal as a feature planting within a low maintenance gravel garden.

"For a really hot combination try Crocosmia Lucifer with its pendant arches of red flowers alongside the conifer Thuja Rheingold.

"The thuja's adult foliage, a rich deep old gold shaded amber, is brilliant in winter as the cold temperature enhances the colour even more.

"Add the low growing Berberis thunbergii Darts Red Lady with a brightyellow helenium and this will give real warmth all year around."

Conifers can be used to create a classy combination for a sunny position with an emphasis on contrasting colours from the cool end of the colour spectrum, he adds.

"Use the upright columnar nature of Juniperus chinensis ' Pyramidalis' with its prickly glaucous leaves in combination with the purple-leaved smoke bush Cotinus coggygria Royal Purple.

"Add the silver aromatic leaves of Artemesia Powis Castle all underplanted with the ground hugging Persicaria affinis Darjeeling Red with its bright red flowers and large deep-green leaves."

They are low-maintenance plants, requiring only occasional trimming, provide shelter for garden wildlife all year and are a favourite of goldcrests and coal tits, providing structure by adding height to delineating areas.

Here are 10 tips on how to use conifers to your best advantage: 1. Make your garden look planned using conifers to give structure and balance. Even the most wild designer gardens have some architectural plants to balance the more free flowing planting.

2. Look out for conifers that change colour as they will fulfil a need for variety.

3. Avoid grouping too many similar conifers together. Go for some contrast and add colour with blue, orange, yellow and gold from conifers. There are even conifers that turn mauve in the winter such as Crytomeria japonica elegans compacta which look stunning against snow.

4. Use conifers as a background to other plants - try dark green behind flaming-red tulips, or blue-grey foliage behind redor blue flowering plants. 5. Grow climbers through your conifers. Nasturtiums look fantastic as do most clematis.

6. Plant conifers to hide garden eyesores such as an oil tank in the garden.

7. Tests have shown that dense foliage is ideal for blocking out sound, whether from people or from traffic - planting conifers will give the all-year sound insulation that deciduous plants cannot.

8. Check the label for the speed at which your chosen conifer will grow. Plants from reputable suppliers will give an estimated height and spread after 10 years.

9. Texture and scent are important in a garden.

Conifers range from gently spiky through to very soft and most have an attractive pine scent.

10. Don't confine conifers to the back of the border. Many grow brilliantly in containers, brightening the winter scene