Plant fashions come and go, as do colourful materials such as sky blue fences and glass gravel. But where others have fallen by the wayside, one stalwart has remained and it's the humble conifer.

IN the past two years, plant sales in general have been in decline, but the figures for conifers have stayed the same since 2001.

Some say the conifer is back in fashion, having been prominent at this year's major flower shows - including Chelsea. Indeed, they are easy to grow and, planted in the autumn, offer a way to add something new and interesting at a traditionally quiet time.

There are 630 different species of conifer, including pines, spruces, cedars, larches, cypresses, firs, yews and junipers - ranging from dwarf shrubs to magnificent trees.

Most are evergreen, with foliage that consists of needle-like or scale-like leaves, though the larch and cypress drop theirs in autumn.

They can be tall, round or prostrate, acting as good ground cover, and they come in a rainbow of colours, from greens and yellows, to oranges, blues and purples. Some have variegated foliage, which changes colour with the seasons.

Jon Tate, of the Association of British Conifer Growers, says: "Conifers are hardy and easy to care for. Most require only a little watering, making them an ideal choice in the light of summer water shortages and drought orders.

"They do need watering in, but the seasonally wet autumn weather should do the job for you."

Conifers can bring gorgeous colour and exciting form to the garden all year round, whether as a backdrop, a stand-alone feature or in a border with other plants.

To celebrate National Conifer Week, which runs from October 1 to October 8, and to demonstrate how conifers can be used in the 21st century, three mixed-plant conifer borders have been designed by Andrew Fisher Tomlin, chairman of the Society of Garden Designers.

He says that yew hedges, combined with grasses such as Calamagrostis x acutifolia "Karl Foerster" and Miscanthus sinensis, provide a great contrasting foliage look.

Other good plant partners include white Japanese anemones, which sparkle against the silver grey foliage of Juniperus chinensis variegata - or try Pinus mugo "Mops", which is a great foil for a mixed border of tulips.

For more information, visit www.conifers.org.uk for more information.