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choosing climbers for your garden

A climber is usually defined as any plant that has the ability to attach itself to a vertical surface or support such as a wall, trellis, pole or wire. The distinction between a climber and a shrub is not always clear cut, since some true climbers, such as ivy, are often used as ground cover, while some true shrubs, such as Forsythis suspensa, are frequently seen growing up trellis-work. As well as being...

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hedges for your garden

Hedges serve a number of other functions in the garden, including providing: Privacy – this can be particularly important in urban gardens, where residents appreciate a degree of privacy from neighbours and passers-by. Boundary definition – hedges are commonly used to mark out the boundary of a garden. Hedges have the advantage of providing varied interest throughout the year. They are also...

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trees for your garden

Trees are an important feature of the garden, providing structure, permanence and a sense of height and depth. They can also be used to screen unsightly objects, provide shelter and shade, and to support wildlife. Some smaller trees suitable for the average garden include: Acer griseum Amerlanchier lamarkii Laburnum Malus ‘Golden Hornet’ Malus tschonoskii Morus nigra Prunus Pyrus salicifolia popular...

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planning beds and borders for your garden

The basic principles remain the same whether planning an herbaceous or mixed border, or an island bed. The design of a border can have a profound impact on the mood of a garden. In a formal setting, straight borders with a limited colour scheme might fit best, whereas in an informal garden, irregular or curved shapes, with a more relaxed approach to planting, are appropriate. Beds and borders can vary in...

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creating a planting scheme

There are a number of factors to consider when creating a planting scheme for your garden. consider height and scale When deciding on a planting scheme, take the height and shape of each plant into account, both in relation to other plants and to the scale and size of the area. For example, a small garden would look overcrowded if it contained a large tree such as a horse chestnut (Aesculus); a...

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selecting the right plants

When selecting a plant for a particular area of the garden, the following three aspects are most important: how well suited the plant is to the conditions in the garden what sort of appearance you want in this area which plants are available? All three aspects are essential – no matter how well a plant fits in with your design in an architectural sense, it is of no benefit if it...

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gardening – noun /ˈgärdniNG /-dn-iNG

Gardening is the art or activity of tending and cultivating a piece of ground which becomes a garden. “Of all human activities, apart from the procreation of children, gardening is the most optimistic and hopeful. The gardener is by definition one who plans for and believes in and trusts in a future, whether in the short or the longer term.” Susan Hill, Through the Garden Gate “Gardener....