1. Look at how big your tree will grow, and how fast it’ll get there. Some trees grow quickly, some slowly, but it will only become a problem if your tree will grow too big for your garden – one of the best small trees is a multi-stemmed Himalayan Birch (Betula utilis). 2. Look at …
7 secrets to choosing the perfect tree for your garden Read More »
If the new school year has started you thinking about a garden without children in it –even if you’re not quite there yet, read on for some tips and ideas about how to reclaim your precious outdoor space –just for you (and maybe the occasional grandchild –eventually). 1. Reduce the lawn size -mowing the lawn …
6 ways to update your garden once the children have grown up Read More »
Acer palmatum ‘Aureum’ Acers (Japanese Maples) come in all shapes and sizes. The word ‘palmatum’ means ‘five leaves’ – like the palm of a hand. Some cultivars have very finely ‘cut’ leaves, and they will be more prone to scorching and drying out in the wind. Always place your Acer in a partly shady spot …
You bought the wrong plant for your soil, aspect, moisture level, or pH level – here’s how to know soil comes in three broad types – clay, silt and sand. Clay can be identified by how ‘claggy’ the soil is – does it turn into a quagmire in the rain, and hard as rock in …
Three reasons why all of the plants you bought at the garden centre died Read More »
There are few sounds more peaceful than the sound of water, and when planning your garden, it is likely that you’ll want to consider ways of including water in your design. There are various benefits to adding water to your garden; some of which I’ll cover here. 1: The sensory appeal Water, whether running or …
Working with Water – How to incorporate water in your garden design Read More »
If you’re a gardener you’ve probably seen or heard of No Mow May. The organisation Plantlife promotes the scheme, which encourages gardeners or any lawn-custodians such as local councils, to put the mower in the shed for the whole month. This is to help the natural grasses and flowers flourish, and is also vitally important …
No Mow May – Give the mower a miss – your garden will thank you Read More »
One of the signals of summer that nature affords me every year is the arrival of Swifts after their admirable migration efforts from their winter holidays in Africa. They arrive in late Spring, exhausted and in need of a little recovery before they create their nests, raise their young and then depart with the waning …
When the Weather is so cold, it’s difficult to imagine Spring arriving with its green shoots and blossom. However it will return,so it is time to start garden planning for the year ahead. I’m going to divide this guide into three sections: flowers, fruit and veg, and wildlife. Flowers: Having a wide variety of flowering …
There are few sounds more peaceful than the sound of water, and when planning your garden, it is likely that you’ll want to consider ways of including water in your design. There are various benefits to adding water to your garden; some of which I’ll cover here. 1: The sensory appeal Water, whether running or …
Working with Water – How to incorporate water in your garden design. Read More »
