Innholdsfortegnelse for Ultimate Gardening Tips &amp; Tricks i Ultimate Gardening Tips &amp; Tricks

3 of the most common… TROUBLESOME WEEDS

BINDWEED This troublemaker produces thread-like vines that wrap tightly around other plants, and eventually strangles them. With its trumpet-shaped flowers, bindweed is easy to spot and, soon after the first flush of blooms, it will take over and ruin your flower beds. Start by pulling away the top growth, excavating as much of the roots as you can. Eventually, the roots will exhaust themselves trying to make more shoots. If you’re digging downwards to try and remove the roots, go deeper than you might expect. Getting rid of bindweed takes patience, willpower and several attempts to pull it up, as any root left behind in the soil will sprout again. NETTLES As a valuable food source for the caterpillars of a number of butterflies, including red admiral and tortoiseshell, you…

How to be a GREENER GARDENER

FOR proof that gardeners are nurturing people who are definitely in touch with nature, you need only take a look at the letters pages in gardening magazines. Most readers are all too aware of the decline in our wildlife and wildflowers, too, as climate change impacts on native species. There are winners and losers. The speckled wood butterfly is doing well because it is producing more generations. However, the wall brown, once common in England, is now rarely seen because warm autumns prompted young to hatch in late autumn, when they had no hope of surviving. As a result, colonies are restricted to cooler coastal areas. Intense agriculture is another factor. Every inch of land has been used, hedges have been removed, and pasture and meadow have been ploughed up.…

Encourage natural predators

Ground beetles There are some 350 species in Britain (including the violet ground beetle, Carbus violaceus, pictured). Your best natural defence against slugs in the garden, these nocturnal insects thrive in dense, shady vegetation Social wasps Both the common wasp (Vespula vulgaris, pictured) and the German wasp (V. germanica) are found in our gardens. A single colony can remove several kilograms of insect pests such as aphids and caterpillars over the course of a summer. Wrens Tiny and rich-brown insectivorous birds, wrens flit about with their tails cocked up in the air, chit-chittering. They are constantly searching for small insects like spiders, whitefly and aphids to feed on. They need cover, and a patch of brambles is ideal. Cotesia glomerata Gruesome but effective, this tiny parasitic wasp lays it eggs…

Know your SOIL TYPE

Any experienced gardener will tell you that to grow beautiful, healthy plants you must first take care of the earth beneath your feet. While all soils fulfil a similar function, there are many different types, and knowing which one you have in your garden will help you to choose plants adapted to thrive in your specific conditions. Clay and sandy soils are the most common types; silty soils are less prevalent and are generally found on flood basins near rivers or where rivers have previously existed; and peaty and chalky soils are rare in gardens and exist in just a few areas of the country. Although there is no ‘good’ or ‘bad’ soil, since there are plants adapted to each type, some can be more challenging to cultivate and may not…

7 min

Propagation by air layering

THERE are some plants that are really difficult to grow from seeds or cuttings. These tend to be the most expensive ones you see at shows, in catalogues or in garden centres. Professional growers and very keen gardeners can overcome some of the difficulties using specialised techniques and equipment, such as grafting and mist propagation, or high-tech methods like micro-propagation under sterile laboratory conditions. Ancient Chinese technique Most gardeners do not have access to these facilities, or the training and skills involved, but this does not mean you have to give up propagating those plants. Instead, it is worth looking back in time to a technique that has been practised for over 4,000 years. Records show that air layering has been used as a propagation method for many years in…

6 of the best… PICKS FOR PERFUME

ROSA ‘JUDE THE OBSCURE’ With its cupped blooms in a lovely soft yellow, this English shrub rose is free-flowering and smells like fruity white wine. A compact choice, ideal for patios or within easy sniffing distance of seats and paths. LONICERA PERICLYMENUM ‘GRAHAM THOMAS’ With its twining stems, dark-green leaves and clusters of flowers, honeysuckle is a reliable ‘cloaking’ plant. This variety is deciduous and thrives in semi shade. CLEMATIS MONTANA This almond-scented plant flowers in the spring; for summer, try ‘Rhapsody’ with eye-popping, sapphire-blue scented flowers, from May to September. It can cope with partial shade. WISTERIA FLORIBUNDA ‘MULTIJUGA’ This Japanese wisteria cultivar covers walls with pendulous pea-like blooms in lilac-purple. It is less problematic than Wisteria sinensis, and its fragrance is divine. PHILADELPHUS ‘BELLE ÉTOILE’ Mock orange has one of…

6 of the best… SPRING BULBS TO PLANT

Snowdrops (galanthus) Snowdrops flower in the depths of winter and multiply every year. Uses Plant near the house in pots or in the ground. They look great naturalised in grass. Place Sun or shade. When to plant September for flowers in January and February. Top varieties ‘Sam Arnott’, ‘Flore Pleno’ (double snowdrop). Look good with Ophiopogon (black grass), Eranthus hyemalis (winter aconites). Maintenance Divide clumps after flowering. Crocus Jewel-like crocus flower after the snowdrops. The species crocus bloom first, followed by larger Dutch types. Uses Large varieties in borders or containers. Smaller ones in containers, grass or gravel. Place Full sun. When to plant September for flowering in February, March. Top varieties Large Yellow crocus tommasinianus. Look good with Miniature iris, cyclamen coum. Maintenance None. Daffodils (Narcissi) Some varieties flower in…

Speedy BORDERS

Plenty of summer annuals can be sown directly into the soil, and when mixed en masse they’ll create a striking sea of colour that will bloom into autumn. Sowing an annual border is fun, easy and cheap – all you need is a few packets of seed and a patch of bare ground. In a few weeks’ time, it will become a carpet of flowers, blazing in the sun and buzzing with wildlife. An annual border has a meadow-like charm and, as it is only an hour’s job of soil preparation and sowing, it’s a great project to enjoy with kids. Decide on the look of your annual border and select seed accordingly. For instance, to create a modern, sophisticated feel, you might opt for dark flowers (such as Cerinthe…

How to TAKE SUMMER CUTTINGS FROM YOUR SHRUBS

1 Choose shoots that have grown this year, with leaves down to the base, and whose foliage is in good condition and not damaged or diseased. Shoots tending to grow horizontally, rather than vertically, often tend to root better. 2 Make up some compost using your usual potting compost, mixed 50:50 with sharp sand or perlite for extra drainage. 3 Snip off cuttings a little longer than you need using sharp secateurs and collect them in a polythene bag. Trim the bottom just below a leaf joint, remove the tip and snip off the leaves on the lower half. 4 Insert the cuttings in pots of your made-up compost so that the lower leaves are just above the surface of the compost. Match the size of the pot with the size and number of…

What is COMPANION PLANTING?

The idea of companion planting is simple. It’s about growing two or more different plants close together so that they benefit from each other. Choosing the right combination can help to protect against pests, improve the soil with nutrients, offer shade against the sun, provide a natural support for leggy stems, or cleverly disguise an unsightly aspect of a particular plant. Although it may sound complicated, it’s not. "Don’t worry if you’re not sure where to start," say the experts at Suttons Seeds. "It is just about planting the right plants beside one another so that each benefits from its neighbour." The principle of companion planting has been used for thousands of years and is often based on plant lore rather than hard scientific evidence. It is particularly effective if…

What is SACRIFICIAL PLANTING?

Garden experts are encouraging gardeners to adopt the sacrificial plant method to keep their produce slug-free this summer. How to get rid of slugs is always a hot topic among gardeners, but recently it has received lots of media attention. In the last few months, the Royal Horticultural Society (RHS) reclassified slugs and snails so that they are no longer considered garden pests, and slug pellets were banned. While it is essential to recognise the role slugs play as a vital part of a garden’s ecosystem, most gardeners would rather not have them munching on their prize plants and vegetable patches. That is where 'sacrificial' plants, also known as 'trap' plants, come in. "Plants with quite thin and soft foliage are a magnet for slugs," says Jamie Shipley, managing director…

Try these easy potager ideas

■ Galvanised: Watering cans, tubs and containers crafted from this steely blue zinc coating add a vintage feel to your plot. ■ Bricks: Laid flat as a path or up-ended as bed edging, crumbly red bricks dappled with moss, lichen and algae are gorgeous. ■ Flowers: Add bursts of cut flowers like gladioli and alstroemerias to your beds, in rows or as single dot-plants. ■ Terracotta: Ditch the plastic and pot up herbs, chillies and salads into terracotta containers. Beautiful grouped together. ■ Pretty labels: Slate, copper, wood, pebbles – get creative with your fruit and veg labelling for a stylish, romantic look. ■ Garden art: Add a cheeky cherub peeking out from under the rhubarb, or a full-blown bust of yourself guarding the garden gate!…

BEST VEGETABLES TO GROW IN POTS

SALAD LEAVES Sprinkle a salad seed mix over the soil and cover with 1cm of compost. Water with a fine spray so soil is not splashed up on the leaves. Snip a few leaves regularly. CHILLIES Stake large-fruited varieties and pinch out the main stem at 20-25cm to encourage branching. Dose the plants with general-purpose feed or diluted tomato feed with every third or fourth watering. DWARF BEANS Position sturdy canes or pea sticks in the container for the young plant to scramble upwards. Pick the pods regularly when they are young and tender. POTATOES Cover seed potatoes with 15cm compost, water well. Once foliage emerges, top with more compost; keep earthing up to 60cm. Harvest when foliage turns yellow. COURGETTES Although easy to grow, courgettes need warmth, so pop…

3 steps to the healthiest potted fruits

1 Repot: Healthy roots are a must, so give your plant the underground space that it needs. Check the rootball each March. Knock the plant out of its pot: are the roots spiralling and congested? If yes, move up another pot size, using a loam-based compost. 2 Sustain: Containerised roots can only access the food that you give them, so feed them up! It’s also key to keep potted fruits well watered in spring and summer, so use a high-potash liquid fertiliser. Avoid over-feeding, but always water liberally in dry, hot spells. 3 Shape: Pruning and training help focus a plant’s energy. Secateur work often involves cutting out old, unproductive growth to make way for new shoots. Tying in stems horizontally can also help – research your crop so you can optimise…

3 of the best… SHADE-TOLERANT PLANTS

DIGITALIS PURPUREA Foxgloves, as they’re more commonly known, are brilliant plants for shade and will self-seed. They’re also great for pollinators and flower from early summer. DRYOPTERIS FILIX-MAS Growing wild in many UK woodlands, this male fern requires ample watering during its first summer. The fronds will die back in winter, so fill the gaps with bulbs. HOSTA FORTUNEI ‘FRANCEE’ Purple flowers appear in late summer, and it’ll thrive in a shaded planter. Snails and slugs love it, so best placed above ground level.…

3 of the best… STATEMENT TREES

PRUNUS SERRULA ‘TIBETICA’ A beautiful cherry tree that has a rich, colourful and characterful bark. Enjoys full sun and looks stunning in a small garden. ACER PALMATUM ‘SANGO-KAKU’ This acer provides oranges, greens and reds on its bark and leaves. Plant with something black for maximum effect. BETULA PENDULA This silver birch is an easy-to-care-for addition to any garden. Plant in the back of a small space to create a focal point.…

Where to find a GARDEN DESIGNER

Whether you’re after a total overhaul or looking for inspiration for a new planting scheme, the Society of Garden Designers (SGD) is a great place to start to find a professional. All registered members and fellows abide by the SGD code of conduct, meaning they subscribe to the highest professional standards, and have committed to continual development of their knowledge and skills, giving you peace of mind when choosing a designer. Their website (sgd.org.uk) has a useful ‘find a designer’ facility where you can search a list of its registered members or practices by name or location. Choosing a SGD registered member/practice also gives you insurance if anything goes wrong, as the SGD has a mediation service which helps resolve designer/client issues quickly.…

February TENTATIVE SHOOTS

Star of the month SNOWDROP (GALANTHUS NIVALIS) These gems provide nectar in January and February. For best results, plant ‘in the green’ in spring, in leaf mould enriched soil, in semi-shade or shade, and they will naturalise. H: 15cm Wildlife watch + Continue to attract birds by feeding them, to encourage them into the garden to snack on pests. Birds will be nesting soon; put up nest boxes now, so that they’re a familiar part of the landscape. Choose a quiet part of the garden out of reach of cats. + Aphids (greenfly) may appear on plants if there’s a warm spell. No need to spray them yet – either remove by hand or, better still, allow hungry birds to hoover them up. Watch out for slugs on strawberry plants;…

May PREPARE FOR SUMMER…

Star of the month ALLIUM ‘MONT BLANC’ This impressive towering plant is great for adding height at the back of the border. Dense clusters of white flowers make this a real showstopper, plus the bees love them! H: 2m Seasonal container Add slow-release fertiliser and water-storing crystals to hanging baskets to keep plants in top condition throughout summer. Pot up begonias in containers or hanging baskets for a long-lasting display. Keep well watered in a bright, warm spot and feed during the growing season with a balanced liquid fertiliser. Hanging baskets or pots filled with lobelia and petunias will also add instant colour especially in patio areas. Team with trailing plants, such as ivy, to add interest. If you have the space, grow bedding plants from seed in a greenhouse…

August SUMMER AT ITS BEST

Star of the month DAHLIA ‘TROPICAL BREEZE’ Showy dahlias are the stars of the cutting garden from midsummer to late autumn. Eye-catching ‘Tropical Breeze’ blooms from late May to October. H: 45cm Seasonal container Your summer pots should be at their very best at the moment but think about what to plant now to keep the colour coming right into autumn. You may want to pull out any plants past their best and pop new ones in for a quick replacement job or alternatively start with a whole new container display. Choose flowers like bold and bee-friendly echinacea and dahlias in burnished autumn shades and pair with bronze heuchera and a mix of ornamental grasses like rubra and panicum to add movement to your display. As this is the driest…

October AUTUMN IS HERE

Star of the month PYRACANTHA This spiny evergreen shrub comes alive with bright berries, standing out against greenery this month. You’ll find blackbirds feasting on them. H: from 2.5m Wildlife watch + If you’ve planted spring bulbs, cover the pots with netting to stop squirrels digging them up. Prevent black spot from forming on roses over winter by clearing away fallen rose leaves. + Clean bird feeders regularly, especially after a downpour, to stop the food from turning mouldy and keep them topped up. Make sure bird baths are also cleaned and refilled regularly. + Leaving some seedheads provides shelter for insects over autumn and winter. + Provide food for hedgehogs to help fatten them up in the run-up to hibernation. If you see a hedgehog during daylight hours call…

December MIDWINTER MAGIC…

Star of the month EVERGREEN COTONEASTER The evergreen shrub Cotoneaster lacteus will look good all year round. Large clusters of small white flowers are followed by small red berries in autumn and winter. H: 90cm 5 ESSENTIAL JOBS FOR DECEMBER 1 Makesure climbing plants are securely attached to their supports with ties. Check tree ties and stakes too. 2 Dig over empty borders and pile manure on top. It doesn’t have to be perfect as you can leave it to the worms and frosts to break up the soil. 3 Harvest holly berries for making Christmas garlands and wreaths. Stand them in a bucket of water until you need them. 4 Lift and divide established clumps of rhubarb to renew the plant and get more. 5 Keep looking after your…

MORE ADVICE…

CAN I USE WEEDKILLER TO GET RID OF INVASIVE PLANTS? + Yes, but it’s important to follow the instructions carefully. Firstly, be sure to choose the correct herbicide for the invasive plants that you have in mind. Secondly, treat invasives when they are growing strongly, usually in spring or summer. + Avoid accidentally spraying native plants while attempting to spray invasives and be especially careful when using weedkillers near ponds, streams or other watercourses. + Some invasives are more likely to be treated successfully if cut back hard and weedkiller used to treat the resulting new growth. WHAT IF I FIND JAPANESE KNOTWEED IN MY GARDEN? + The best approach is to contact your local authority; most local authority websites have information on how to deal with Japanese knotweed in…

The simple guide to… A HEALTHIER LAWN

1 When the weather starts warming up in late spring you’ll notice your grass growing a lot faster, which means it’s time to do the first checks of the season. Look for moss, which is probably the biggest nuisance. It’s easier to get rid of than you think. Use a specialist moss-killer treatment, then simply rake it out when it’s gone brown. 2 Look for ‘bald’ patches, which can be down to congested roots, a build-up of dead grass or simple wear and tear. It’s easy to sort out. Loosen the soil with a fork and fill the area with a handful of potting compost. Then thickly sprinkle over a grass-seed mix. Be sure to choose the right one as there’s a huge range available, including for shady lawns, as…

5 min

Plant for wildlife

Valerian The long-tubed flowers of Centranthus ruber and C. lecoqii lure in hummingbird hawk-moths and butterflies. These plants bloom from May and, if deadheaded, continue until October. Shear back to nothing at the end of June for a flush of late flowers. Symphytum x uplandicum ‘Bocking 14’ This sterile comfrey has nectar-rich flowers that won’t produce nuisance seedlings, and like that of many of the borage family, the nectar is continually replenished. A good accelerant for compost heaps; ideal for making comfrey tea. Hedera helix English ivy has an adult arborescent stage of woodier growth that bears late-autumn flowers. On clement days these sustain wasps, flies and bees, while the late berries are good for birds. Best on a wild edge. Hybrid hellebores (Helleborus x hybridus) An excellent winter-to-spring nectar…

8 ways to reduce your plastic waste

■ Always recycle and reuse plastic pots and seed trays. ■ Look for recyclable pots. ■ If you’re selling plants for charity or passing them on to friends, remove them from the pots and wrap them in some newspaper. ■ Buy wool or jute string and use this rather than plastic ties. ■ Invest in metal tools and watering cans – they will last longer. ■ Reuse plastic labels, and consider wood and slate as alternatives. ■ Reuse compost bags if possible. ■ Take good care of any plastic items you already have!…

THE ACID TEST

Soils not only have different textures, they can also be acidic, alkaline or neutral. This is known as the pH value and it’s important because some plants dislike acidic soils, while others thrive on them. An easy way to identify an acid soil is to look at your neighbours’ gardens to see if they are growing healthy rhododendrons, azaleas, camellias, pieris or blue-flowered hydrangeas, which all prefer this type. For a more accurate assessment, buy a soil pH testing kit from a garden centre. Simply take a small sample of soil from about 15cm below the surface and put in a clean container indoors to dry naturally. Once dry, add some of the soil to the empty test tube, as directed in the instruction leaflet, add a scoop of barium…

Colour your garden

January and February often feel like the gloomiest part of the year, once Christmas is over. The days are dark and the garden can look bare. So it’s great to have some early colour where we see it every day, like our front gardens and patios, to lift the spirits. A pop of colour along the garden path also works wonders – we appreciate it all the more at this time of year because it’s in short supply, unlike in summer. The good news is that there are trees, shrubs and other plants that give stunning colour available in garden centres. 3 of the best… TREES FOR INTEREST PRUNUS SERRULA The sturdy little Tibetan cherry has white flowers in spring and good winter colour. The bark peels away in strips to…

Root pruning container plants

ROOT pruning trees and shrubs growing in containers is used to reduce the need to keep transferring these plants to ever-larger pots, which would eventually lead to the container being so big it would become unmanageable. Where a plant is intended to remain in a container for a long time, the usual recommendation is to remove the top 2-3in (5-7cm) of old compost each spring and replace it with fresh bought compost containing a controlled-release fertiliser. This should provide sufficient nutrition for the current growing season. This is an alternative to constantly moving the plant into a larger container. Roots close to the surface Removing the old layer of compost does have advantages, including the removal of weeds and weed seeds, along with the eggs and grubs of the dreaded…

3 GREAT COMBOS

Colourful border display In this lively border display, tulips are the perfect partners for erysimums (wallflowers). Flowers are best in late April/May. WHAT YOU WILL NEED MATERIALS ● A border, cleared of summer bedding ● Border fork ● Organic matter, ie. manure ● Grit or gravel PLANTS ● Wallflowers ‘Winter Orchid’, seven plants per sq m of border ● Tulips (10 per sq m) ‘Red Impression’, ‘Negrita’, ‘Ballerina’ 1 Clear away spent summer bedding and fork over the soil, adding organic matter. 2 Plant the wallflowers, spacing plants around a trowel’s length apart. 3 Either mix the tulips up together, or plant in separate colour drifts – depending on your desired scheme. Place the bulbs on the soil between the wallflowers at regular intervals. 4 Plant the tulips in between…

5 of the best… TALL ANNUALS

COSMOS BIPINNATUS ‘DOUBLE CLICK CRANBERRIES’ Pollinators love the pink flowers of this cosmos, which last well in the vase. Sow in well-drained moist soil in the sun. H: 90cm CENTAUREA CYANUS ‘BLUE BOY’ Bees will gather on this cornflower’s cobalt-blue blooms. Grow it to fill gaps in sunny borders or sow in rows in the vegetable patch to use as a cut flower. H: 90cm PAPAVER SOMNIFERUM ‘SERIOUSLY SCARLET’ A stunning poppy with frilly blazing-scarlet flowers and silver-blue foliage. It self-sows in well-drained soil in full sun. H: 90cm AGROSTEMMA GITHAGO ‘PURPLE QUEEN’ This corn cockle creates a cottage-garden look into October, in well-drained soil in full sun. It makes a charming cut flower. H: 75cm ATRIPLEX HORTENSIS VAR. RUBRA Red orache, with spires of ruby-purple leaves, is a salad…

6 of the best… SHRUBS FOR CUTTING

Hebe Hebes root best in August and September. Cuttings can be rooted individually in 7.5cm pots and even in a jar of water on the windowsill. Viburnum There’s a wide range of deciduous and evergreen viburnums grown for their flowers, berries and autumn leaf colour. All root well from 7.5-10cm shoots. Mahonia Single cuttings in 10cm pots work well. Cut back foliage of larger-leaved types. Some say March is best, but you will have success any time in summer. Camellia Snip off the tip half of the large leaves to avoid moisture loss from cuttings, then pop into a mix of three parts ericaceous compost to one part perlite. Fatsia Choose side shoots that show no sign of flowering, and trim back the leaves to reduce moisture loss. They root…

What companion plants GROW WELL TOGETHER?

TOMATOES If you want to learn how to grow tomatoes this year, consider mixing your plants with basil, which is said to boost the yield (and if planted within 45cm, it may improve flavour). It will also attract whitefly away from the tomato plants. POTATOES Introducing horse radish boosts disease resistance. FRUIT BUSHES Match with peas, beans and sweet peas. The nitrogen released from the roots of the pea family plants enriches the fruit. LETTUCE Plant with scented herbs such as hyssop and sage, which can repel slugs. COURGETTE Combine with calendula, as these flowers are attractive to pollinators, ensuring a big crop. STRAWBERRIES Pair with thyme, as the herb is said to accelerate growth of the fruit plants. Borage is another friend, said to improve berry flavour. CUCUMBERS Plant…

YOUR GUIDE TO… crop rotation

Using a cyclical system of growing edible crops is easy. It creates a vegetable plot that is cheaper and easier to manage, one that is filled with wildlife, and that is also more plentiful, giving a bounty of healthy produce year after year. The basic principle is that waiting a few years before growing a vegetable in the same place weakens pests, reduces disease, and allows the soil to regenerate. What is crop rotation? Crop rotation is the practice of growing groups of vegetables and salad crops in sequence. The growing area is usually divided into three to five sections, depending on its size. Crop groups (such as root vegetables or legumes) are not grown in the same section for more than one year. Rather, they are rotated, year by…

Try these creative potager supports

1 Dreamcatcher: With a ball of garden twine, some sturdy canes/sticks and a good dollop of time on your hands, you can weave a dreamcatcher-style support for climbing beans or squashes. 2 Bird scarer: An old potato and some feathers can be quickly fashioned into an effective bird scarer. Hang the whole lot from a flexible long pole or upcycled fishing rod, and it’s complete. 3 Woven peasticks: Defining plot boundaries or edging beds – a woven hazel or peastick ‘fence’ adds a cottage garden feel to the plot. Any twiggy prunings work well.…

Grow a POTTED ORCHARD

Meandering under a canopy of bee-draped fruit tree blossoms is a springtime treat, but very few of us fancy that we have space to plant large, orchard-style fruit trees. Thankfully, there’s an easy solution if you yearn for homegrown cherries, apples or peaches: grow them in pots! This method can transform even the tiniest patio or balcony into a bountiful oasis. Let’s look at the basics. Larger thick-walled pots are ideal because you don’t want the roots to dry out. Line wooden planters with polythene, and unglazed clay pots with bubblewrap (alternatively, sink large plastic pots inside them). Don’t assume manufacturers add enough drainage holes – drill more if needed. Avoid pure multi-purpose because it dries out quickly and loses structure. Use instead a blend of loam-based (like John Innes),…

10 design MISTAKES

It’s so easy to get things wrong by making basic garden design mistakes when planning your outdoor space. Before you start, always stand back and take an overview. One of the most important things is to link the garden with the style of the house and its interior. Think about flow and connecting the spaces. Andrew Duff of Inchbald School of Design (inchbald.co.uk) says, ‘Treating the house and garden as two separate elements is one of the most common errors in garden design. You need to create a relationship by using the architecture of the house to influence the garden.’ Look at the bigger picture too by factoring in the climate and conditions where you live. Be realistic. Don’t try to force plants into an environment where they can’t thrive.…

7 min

3 of the best… PLANTS FOR A HERB GARDEN

SALVIA OFFICINALIS This will give you lots of flowers, becoming big and bushy in no time at all. The ultimate zero maintenance plant that’s handy for cooking too. ALLIUM SCHOENOPRASUM If planted into a gravel bed this looks especially pretty, giving you small pink flowers and months of tasty chives. THYMUS SERPYLLUM A creeping variety that gives masses of soft-pink colour. Cut back after it flowers in late spring and early summer to maintain its shape.…

LANDSCAPING with flowers

Knowing where to start when landscaping with flowers is not always an easy thing. Thinking about where to position your flowers, which ones to choose and how to combine them in a cohesive way can take research and planning. But armed with the right knowledge, there’s no reason you can’t create your very own plant paradise in your garden. How much of your plot should be given to flowers is purely down to your own choice, how much time you have and also the size of the area you want to cultivate. ‘A rough rule of thumb is 70% flowers,’ says head gardener Sarah Mead at Yeo Valley Organic Garden (yeovalley.co.uk). ‘But don’t forget trees, shrubs and hedges have flowers, too.’ We asked five experts how to successfully bring flowers…

6 min

Ask the EXPERTS

HOW WILL YOU PRESENT YOUR IDEAS TO ME? ‘After I’ve established your needs and wants, I will then bring you a couple of initial ideas in the form of 3D computer-generated visuals; these will give you a good idea of the direction I’m going in and will show how the garden can work both in layout and the scale. From there, together we will establish which concept best fits and I will develop this into a full set of plans with scale drawings and again 3D visuals so you can really see what you’re going to achieve.’ Neil Sutcliffe, Creative Roots (creativeroots.com) ARE ALL GARDEN DESIGNERS AWARE OF THE ENVIRONMENTAL ASPECTS OF THEIR DESIGN? ‘Designers should be becoming more aware of these aspects if they aren’t already. For example, although…

March ALONG COMES SPRING…

Star of the month CLEMATIS MACROPETALA There’s a clematis for every month of the year, and who could resist the early lavender-blue flowers of ‘Virgin’s Bower’. Plant it deeply in a sheltered spot against a trellis. H: 4m Seasonal container The start of spring is the perfect time to plant up a container, and there’s plenty of hardy plants that will stand up to frosts over the next few weeks. To give the display staying power choose an upright, flowering shrub as a centrepiece and pop in some foliage plants, such as euphorbia, rosemary and trailing ivy. Buy pots of ready-grown bulbs, such as narcissus, and edge the container with primulas and violas. For impact, choose flowers in complementary shades that are opposites on the colour wheel; try yellow and…

June ABUNDANCE IN THE GARDEN

Star of the month FOXGLOVE (DIGITALIS) It’s foxglove season, and spires of bell-flowers that are adored by bumble bees dominate this month. Try ‘Firebird’ (shown), which produces coppery pink flowers. H: up to 1.8m 5 ESSENTIAL JOBS FOR JUNE 1 Water succulents and cacti when the compost is dry. Place houseplants outside for a summer holiday. 2 Now that slugs and snails are about go on a torch-lit hunt treat vulnerable young plants with Nemaslug – the effects will last for six weeks. 3 Drape netting over blueberries, currants and cherries to keep birds off; protect strawberries too. 4 Deadhead perennials such as catmint, geum, astrantia and scabious before seed sets to encourage a second flush. 5 Give tomato plants in the greenhouse a shake to help pollination and ensure a good crop. Pinch out…

September TRANSITIONING TO AUTUMN

Star of the month ANEMONE HUPEHENSIS VAR. JAPONICA ‘SPLENDENS’ A beautiful Japanese anemone with striking, deep rose-coloured flowers which bloom for several weeks. Does well in sun or part-shade. H: 80cm Wildlife watch + September is traditionally a time to start tidying the garden but if you’re trying to encourage wildlife, don’t go too far. + By all means rake up fallen leaves (store in pierced bags to make leaf mould) but leave some piles to provide habitat for insects and, if you’re lucky, hedgehogs. + Similarly, leaving the skeletons of perennials and grasses standing over winter means that birds can feed on the seedheads and that spiders – voracious eaters of garden pests – have plenty of choices of where to spin their webs. Seasonal container Oenotheras (perhaps better…

November PREPARE FOR NEXT YEAR

Star of the month CORNUS SANGUINEA ‘MIDWINTER FIRE’ Dogwoods such as Cornus sanguinea ‘Midwinter Fire’ really stand out, having shed their mid-green leaves and leaving the fiery stems for winter interest. H: 2m Seasonal container Plant spring bulb displays now in pots on your patio and in borders, and you will be rewarded with beautiful blooms come spring. Pots of tulip, daffodil and crocus bulbs will give you a continuous flourish of flowers. Ensure pots have good drainage as tulips don’t like very wet conditions. Cover large pots at risk of frost damage with a layer of bubble wrap or fleece. It’s also a good idea to cover pots or borders with netting to prevent squirrels from digging up the bulbs. For winter interest now plant up pots with heuchera…

Tackling WEEDS

There are all manner of weeds lurking in our gardens and sowing seed wherever they get the chance. The general consensus is that they’re a pain – especially when they’re encroaching on our prized flowers or vegetables and sapping the nutrients from the soil. In the case of some (Japanese knotweed, poison ivy and stinging nettles – we’re looking at you) they can also do more harm than simply spoiling the look of a border. Everyone knows about the nasty allergic reactions that occur from a run-in with nettles or poison ivy, while knotweed can tear through structural foundations at breakneck speed. Naturally, none are ideal. Luckily, there are a good few methods to zap these plants from our plots and restore order. And, most approaches don’t require reaching for the…

Seed collection and storage

SEED production is a plant’s way of ensuring the survival of the species and, because it usually involves both a male and female element to create fertile seed, it is known as sexual reproduction (as opposed to asexual, like cuttings). Variation explained The mixing of genetic material results in variation, so the outcome cannot be predicted. The exception is the first generation cross of two parents that gives a uniform outcome (known as F1 seed). If you collect seeds from F1 hybrid plants you will find that, as the F2 generation, they are not identical to the original plants and there can be quite a variation in both form and vigour. ‘Self cleaning’ plants Not every plant produces seeds. Some plants are produced from cuttings because they rarely form seed.…

Choose slug-proof plants

English lavender Slugs dislike aromatic foliage, so any plant with pungent stems and leaves will put them off. Lavandula x angustifolia is hardy and can live for many years if given an early September haircut. Penstemon Late-flowering, these South American natives never get eaten by munching molluscs. Good floriferous forms include ‘Andenken an Friedrich Hahn’ (syn. ‘Garnet’), ‘Sour Grapes’ (pictured) and ‘Hidcote Pink’. Hardy geraniums The oil-rich foliage of hardy cranesbills isn’t admired by slugs so they won’t tuck in. There’s a tremendous range available, but to please the bees opt for sterile, long-flowering ‘Patricia’, ‘Rozanne’ and ‘Orion’ (pictured).…

Eco do’s and don’ts to practise now

✗ DON’T be too tidy. Have some no-mow areas to shelter beetles, amphibians and so on, and keep garden edges on the wild side. ✗ DON’T use slug pellets of any sort – a lot of slugs do a good job of clearing up rotting plant material. Pick munchers off at dusk. ✗ DON’T spray your aphids with anything – not even garlic spray or so-called organic sprays. Aphids are an important part of the food chain. ✗ DON’T use glyphosate either. It has been implicated in causing cancer in humans, as well as playing a role in the decline of amphibians. ✓ DO grow what does well in your garden, and put your plants in the correct place – this will keep them healthy and happy. ✓ DO buy…

GET water WISE!

It’s a common misconception that water is an infinite resource as it makes up over 70% of our planet. However most of this is actually sea water. Fresh water actually makes up just 2.5% of this, with less than 1% easily accessible. So, it’s vital that we respect the water we do have and treat it as the precious, life-giving commodity that it is. Saving water in your garden could not only help the planet, but if you’re on a water meter some of these tips will even help you save money on your water bill. Think about your timings It’s best to water your garden in the cool of the evening or first thing in the morning, if possible. Watering during the day, especially around midday when the sun…

Plant a scented GARDEN

Whether you go for something visually stunning or prefer a subtle approach, transforming your garden into a fragrant delight is easy. It’s not just flowers, either. Many plants have foliage that releases aromatic oils when rubbed between the fingers, walked on or even just brushed past. Herbs are obvious choices, and why not try scented-leaf pelargoniums? Scent is linked to mood and memory and plants that smell as good as they look are sure to give an emotional boost. Ways to use fragrance 1 Scratch and sniff Some plants have aromatic foliage that releases oils when you rub the leaves. These include herbs, such as lemon balm and lemon verbena, and scented-leaf pelargoniums such as Pelargonium tomentosum, which smells of mint, and P. ‘Cola Bottles’, which has the scent of…

Time for BULBS!

Bulb planting season comes round quickly every year, but how to choose from the dazzling selection on offer? Read our guide to the main bulb groups so you can choose the best ones for your space, even if it’s only a windowsill. Bulbs come in every size and colour imaginable, to suit shady or sunny, small or large gardens. Many work brilliantly in containers. They can be incredible value and are low maintenance as well – once you’ve planted them, your work is done until they pop up in spring. So start planning your spring scheme now. Cast your mind back to spring in your garden (refer to snaps if you have them) and consider which bulbs could best complement your spring trees or shrubs, fill gaps in the border,…

Get free BULBS!

Flowering bulbs are a delight, adding interesting colour and form to pots and borders throughout the year. Many bulbs are quite slow to multiply by natural means, often producing only two or three offset bulbs every few years. However, you can propagate bulbs yourself at home using a variety of techniques such as chipping, scooping, scoring or twin scaling. Each process involves injuring the bulb to encourage it to form young bulblets that will be identical to the parent bulb, which is important if you are propagating a named variety. Here we look at two of these techniques – chipping and twin scaling. It is important to understand the structure of a bulb to realise how these propagation methods work. The flat base (basal plate) of a bulb is actually…

Summer SHRUB CUTTINGS

Evergreen and deciduous shrubs, hedge plants, climbers, bushy herbs – even a few trees – are easy to propagate at home without sophisticated equipment, and doing it yourself will save you money. There are two seasons in which growing shrubs from cuttings works well. One is early winter, and the other is in late summer and early autumn – August and September. Cuttings taken at this time of year are called semi-ripe cuttings. These are short shoots, usually 10-15cm long, where the tip of the stem is soft, but the base is becoming hard. TOP TIPS FOR ROOTING + Water the plant from which you’ll be taking cuttings the day before. + Use bypass secateurs, not the anvil type (they squash the stems) and never a knife (if you value…

25 Plants for BUTTERFLIES AND BEES

1 ASTER Also known as Michaelmas daisies, these plants are welcome for their clouds of tiny daisies in flower from August to October in striking pinks, blues or purples and their vital supplies of nectar late in the year. Pollinators go crazy for asters because the nectar is so easily accessible to them. Grow the single-flowered types for maximum pollinator power. Aster x frikartii ‘Mönch’, which grows to a height of 45cm, has light-blue petals around a yellow disc. For a striking deep purple, try ‘Violetta,’ which is taller at 1.2m, blooming from September to October. Cut them back in winter. Asters enjoy sun but tolerate shade. 2 ACHILLEA (YARROW) The flattened horizontal blooms of Achillea make the perfect landing pads for hungry pollinators to drink their fill. The flowers…

13 min

5 easy tips to try

1 Remember that the smell of plants from the onion family, including leeks, chives, onions and garlic, can deter pests like carrot fly or aphids. 2 Some plants are prone to getting aphids, such as nasturtiums, so you can use them to attract aphids from your runner beans and keep them protected. 3 If you have problems getting courgettes, marrows or squashes to produce good crops, then introduce flowering plants like cornflowers or calendula to attract the insects and improve your pollination. 4 If you have problems with plants like spinach, coriander or lettuce bolting (this is when they produce flowers and therefore stopping growing), then plant taller plants like runner beans or peas around them to provide shelter and deter this from happening. 5 Keeping pests off your tomatoes…

Make a POTAGER GARDEN

We’ve got medieval French monasteries and chateau owners to thank for the potager concept – a creative design of a fruit and vegetable garden that’s as easy on the eye as it is productive. I’ve always had a soft spot for them – to me, edible plots can be just as beautiful as ornamental gardens. So how do you go about creating your own? Add florals, shrubs and herbs Anything goes when it comes to potager plants. Fruits, vegetables and herbs should supply the backbone, but because cut flowers and foliage are also key components, many ornamental plants can be chosen. Viburnums, peonies, irises, lilies, aquilegias – as long as you can plonk it in a vase, it’s fine. Creative pruning and training of your fruit crops is also encouraged.…

GROW VEG in POTS

If you don’t have a garden with a dedicated veg patch, growing vegetables in pots is a great alternative. Those with tiny outside spaces, paved-over gardens, balconies or even just a windowsill in the sun can turn their hopeful green thumbs towards growing edible plants in pots. Growing crops in containers is accessible, flexible and as satisfying as growing into soil if you know how to give your plants what they need to grow and thrive. It’s a great option for those who only have little pockets of outside space, rent their homes or aren’t comfortable with kneeling down and would rather garden without bending over. Although it’s true that not everything will grow happily in a pot, there are benefits to container gardening. Your pot-dwelling crops will require more…

Advantages to growing fruit in pots

■ Your plant is mobile! This is handy for moving house, DIY, renovations, creating or changing a display and so on. ■ The root restriction provided by pots keeps your plant more compact – this is perfect for pint-sized plots. ■ Netting against birds is a cinch – just push bamboo canes around the edge of the pot and then cloak them with net. ■ If you need to spray your plant for pests or diseases, all the branches are easily accessible, ensuring thorough coverage. ■ Don’t fancy scaling tall ladders for your harvest? There’s no need when everything is at head height. ■ Root restriction has another bonus – the fact that plants are encouraged to crop sooner and heavier than they would in open ground.…

Design MASTERCLASS

When it comes to gardens, there isn’t a one-size-fits-all approach, which can be very daunting to a novice gardener! However, there are some practical steps you can take when designing your outdoor space – and these are the ones that I turn to when working with new clients. From tiny gardens to awkward shapes, there are tried-and-tested ways to get the best possible result. Here, you’ll find handy tips and planting ideas to help get you started. Good luck! THE MULTIPURPOSE GARDEN Play area and outdoor kitchen meets relaxing oasis: so many of us have gardens that have to fulfil a myriad different roles, but how on earth do you fit all these in one modest urban plot? The key is not to divide the space up too formally (who…

6 min

3 of the best… PLANTS FOR SCREENING

PHYLLOSTACHYS NIGRA Bamboo isn’t everyone’s cup of tea – some should only be planted in containers to stop them taking over – but this black one is well behaved. PRUNUS LUSITANICA The best time to plant a laurel hedge is during its dormant winter months when you can buy it straight out of the ground (‘rootball’). ILEX AQUIFOLIUM The prickly holly is sometimes overlooked in modern gardens, but with berries for birds in winter and evergreen leaves, it’s a real classic.…

HOW TO HIRE Garden designers

Working with garden designers will be unknown territory for some of us while others may have worked with these highly-skilled professionals before. Either way, we’ve approached three top designers for their ‘must-knows’ before embarking on a potentially game-changing project for your home. The SGD (Society of Garden Designers) should be the starting point of any search, as the registered designers have been subject to scrutiny and a strict adjudication of their projects. Most professional designers are ‘civil engineers’ with a love of plants, meaning that the entire project comes under their jurisdiction. They build walls, steps, terraces as well as bringing in mature trees, shrubs and herbaceous plants. But it’s not just about the technical side, a good garden designer has the imagination to create a bespoke design for you,…

January START THE YEAR

Star of the month HAMAMELIS ‘DIANE’ This striking witch hazel is at its peak, pumping its powerful spicy perfume around the January garden. It has spidery flowers on bare stems in a stunning deep red. H: 3m 5 ESSENTIAL JOBS FOR JANUARY 1 It’s the perfect time to build paths and patios, while plants are still dormant, so organise landscaping jobs. 2 There’s still time to sow sweet peas for flowers and scent in late May and through summer. Plant in peat-free multipurpose compost in tall pots or kitchen rolls and put somewhere warm. They’ll flower earlier and make stronger plants. 3 Deadhead winter-flowering pansies weekly, to keep them blooming. 4 Boring, maybe, but necessary – clean pots and sharpen and oil tools for the new season. 5 Check containers…

April THE GARDEN GETS BUSY

Star of the month TULIPS These bulb favourites are in their prime. Try Tulipa ‘Flaming Parrot’ for yellow and red striped petals or ‘Pink Impression’ (shown), with a subtle hint of bronze on pink. H: 50cm Wildlife watch + Provide nesting boxes for garden birds, such as blue tits, and regularly clean and top up bird feeders with seed. + Use a squirrel-proof bird feeder to prevent squirrels from stealing the food and don’t let seed build up on the ground as it may attract rats. Seasonal container Refresh the compost in your pots and re-pot any plants that have outgrown their containers and are pot-bound. Create a vibrant spring display with an arrangement of pots of daffodils, hyacinths and tulips in pots of different shapes and sizes. Buy ready-grown…

July CUTTING AND HARVESTING

Star of the month SALVIA NEMOROSA This perennial will complete your July border with slender stems of vivid blue-purple flowers, loved by bees. It will bloom until autumn in full sun or dappled shade. H: 50cm Wildlife watch + Bees and butterflies will be out in force, so provide nectar-rich plants. Verbena bonariensis, buddleia, lavender and sage, along with marigolds and snapdragons, will top up supplies. Night-scented plants, such as tobacco (Nicotiana) and evening primrose (Oenothera biennis) attract moths, which in turn feed bats. + If slugs and snails are eating your plants, replace them with more bullet-proof species. Snails love hostas, but rarely touch ferns, which will look equally beautiful in shady spots. Seasonal container You’ll be spoiled for choice, with fuchsia, pelargonium, begonia and petunia all putting on…