Get Creative With Drought Tolerant Plants
In this garden near West Parley, Ferndown, Dorset I was asked if I could come up with easy maintenance, drought tolerant planting plan, for a South facing border, to add interest, and attract bees, butterflies, and other pollinating insects. In this particular planting, there is a good mix of evergreen and deciduous shrubs, perennials, grasses, […]
Has your garden suffered through the drought?
The answer is probably yes leaving plants wilted, lawns brown, and trees loosing their leaves months before autumn. The ever increasing summer temperatures of 40c due to climate change is something we need to be better prepare for. Prevention is better than cure but there are still things that can be done to begin to revive your […]
Artificial lawn grass is having a devastating effect on the environment
Open Letter To The Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Dear Secretary of State, We are writing to express our horror at the growing demand for artificial turf/plastic grass – and to implore you to immediately ban its sale. As Secretary of State and head of DEFRA, you have stated that your aim […]
Contemporary Mediterranean Garden Makeover
We were asked to make a difference to a beautifully designed but overgrown contemporary Mediterranean garden and bring back a sense of calmness and control. The garden was primarily planted with structural evergreen hedging, shrubs, subshrubs, potted olives, tropical plants, ornamental grasses and a cherry tree. After the initial garden visit and quotation price was […]
Why choose hedging over a fence or wall?
Planting hedges in your garden has so many positive benefits Apart from being the cheaper option to fencing or a wall, hedges are aesthetically pleasing, sustainable and good for wildlife bringing flowers, berries and leaves. Hedge roots act like a sponge absorbing and holding onto rain water, resulting in less surface run-off and more water […]
Autumn lawn care after summer drought
Autumn lawn care Have your lawns turned brown and look lifeless after the unusually high temperatures of summer? During this period our lawns endure heavy wear and tear and autumn is a good time to repair and encourage healthy new growth. September to October when the days and nights are cooler and soil is […]
Shrub border planting to encourage birds and wildlife to the garden
This planting is a mix of evergreen and deciduous shrubs with flowers, berries, textured and coloured leaves to encourage birds and other wildlife to the garden. Here a video has been included to enable the viewer to see the plants in their final position and looking brilliantly radiant in the autumn morning sunshine. Most of […]
Top Garden Maintenance Jobs in May
Gardening jobs for May The weather will be warm enough to plant out bedding plants at the end of the month. Collect rainwater for garden plants and save on your water bills. Hoe around plants and on hot days leave to dry out in the sun. Don’t forget to open greenhouse vents and doors on warm days […]
Gardening Jobs For April
If a gardening job is done at the right time it will help save you money and/or spread the cost. It is also better for your garden or outdoor space! Trees, Shrubs & Climbers It not too late to plant deciduous hedging plants, shrubs, trees and climbers. Prune Evergreens such as Choisya ternata and evergreen […]
The importance of winter pruning for trees and shrubs
1. Introduction: The importance of winter pruning for trees and shrubs Proper winter pruning is essential for the health and aesthetics of trees and shrubs. Winter is the ideal time to prune because the plants are dormant, which reduces the risk of damage or disease. Pruning during this time helps promote new growth in the […]