Dry and shady gardens: a double whammy Most gardeners would agree that gardening in full shade presents certain difficulties, and I dare say that all would agree that gardening in dry, compacted soil is an even greater challenge; but combine the two, and you have a serious gardening hardship. Dry shade is almost always the result of mature trees with roots that run close to … [Read more...] about 8 plants for dry and shady gardens
Garden design
16 plants for soggy soil
Some like it damp While some of you may regard a reliably soggy, slow-draining spot in your garden with dismay, I look on it as an opportunity to grow plants that don’t reach their full potential in the drier, well-drained conditions found in most herbaceous borders. And there’s no need to abandon petals either; a huge palette of flowering plants is ready and waiting to go. … [Read more...] about 16 plants for soggy soil
6 steps to a beautiful perennial border
The notion of designing and planting a new perennial border may fill veteran gardeners with anticipatory glee, but new gardeners often experience sensations more akin to a panic attack. Not to worry: there’s a first time for everything, and by following a few basic guidelines, you have every reason to expect success. Perennial (often called herbaceous) borders are a British … [Read more...] about 6 steps to a beautiful perennial border
5 patterns for using pavers in garden design
There’s more than one way to lay down bricks or concrete pavers to make a path or patio. Some configurations are easy to DIY; others more labour-intensive, because cutting may be required. For your garden design, here’s a rundown of five patterns to consider before you get ready to lay down those pavers. Running bond One of the most classic, common patterns … [Read more...] about 5 patterns for using pavers in garden design
How to use a bloom chart in your garden design
The Garden Making bloom chart will help you keep track of when plants in your garden are in flower, showing you when there are gaps in bloom. It can be an important tool in achieving succession of bloom in your garden design. Using a bloom chart for individual areas will also be a help in colour design, allowing you to better plan beds devoted to monochromatic schemes, such as … [Read more...] about How to use a bloom chart in your garden design
