Here’s a small selection of wonderful plants I’d recommend for the garden in September. When I drew up the shortlist I hadn’t realised that most of them hold the RHS Award for Garden Merit (AGM), but that just helps to indicate what great plants they are. No need to just take my word for it!! Tricyrtis formosana […]
I have to admit I do like a bit of topiary. There’s nothing quite like a clipped hedge or box ball to add structure to a garden. And the beauty of clipped shapes is that they are so versatile – they can lend a garden a contemporary or a traditional feel. In winter topiary shapes […]
Autumn is the best time to plant new trees. From November until March you can buy a wide variety of ‘bare-root’ and rootball trees (which are dug out of the ground in the dormant season). If you plant now, the trees have plenty of time to establish during the wet winter months before they have to […]
At this time of year there’s really no excuse for gardens to be boring! Surprisingly though, it seems to be a common problem when I go to visit new clients. There are so many great plants out there doing their stuff in autumn, that it’s just a question of planning ahead, maybe not being obsessed […]
Did your garden lack a certain je ne sais quoi this summer? If you’re like many of my clients (who want a lovely garden, but have little time to do the gardening), then it might be a good idea to consider adding more flowering shrubs to your garden in time for next summer. With the […]
Many people think that creating a wildlife-friendly garden is the preserve of eco-friendly sandal-wearing, tofu-munching people. And in some cases that may be true! But designing gardens with wildlife in mind is not only beneficial for the creatures it attracts, but for the garden owner too, so it’s really worth thinking about – whatever your perspective. […]
For anyone blessed with a sunny garden with free-draining soil in the UK, it can be difficult to grow a wide range of garden shrubs as many of the plants which can cope with cold British winters also require a reasonably moisture-retentive soil. Frustrating though it can be for the plantaholics amongst us, it’s always […]
It’s so nice to have the opportunity to plant hedges along garden boundaries rather than building a fence. But hedges can also be used within gardens to divide areas or create backdrops for planting – or simply for their own sake. If you are planning to plant a traditional hedge this winter (be it formal or informal), […]