hints & tips

consider more than just the flowers... most plants, particularly the trees & shrubs that will form the structure of your garden, are only in flower for a few weeks of the year. This leaves a long time looking at it without the colourful blooms that tempted you in the garden centre (they do it on purpose you know!). Look for plants that give you much more - strong architectural shapes, foliage, texture & form are rewarding all year round particularly when used to contrast/complement each other.

less is more... is an old design saying but it is so true. Keep shapes bold & simple - a gently sweeping single curve will look much better that lots of fussy wiggley lines.

don't be a afraid of a bit of formality... your house is made up of straight lines & right angles so don't be afraid to use them in the garden (particularly near the architecture) & then soften as you move away from the house. Hard lines & soft plants is a successful recipe used by many of the great garden designers (Gertrude Jeckyll & Edwin Lutyens being perhaps the classic example), and you know what...they were right!

preparation, preparation, preparation... plants are not cheap - particularly the larger sized specimens that you need to give a bit of instant effect - so it is false economy to skimp on the appropriate soil improvement etc. A well prepared bit of planting will leap ahead & that means your are buying time....Plants that are thriving are also far less likely to be troubled by pests & diseases.

this months gardening & design tips.....

it's a great time to get planting.....but try not to go charging in without a bit of thought & planning. Have a good look at the area you intend to plant and determine a few simple things - is it sunny or shady or a bit of both - is the ground wet or dry, lovely rich soil or a bit poor - how much space is available in all directions. Now look at plants that are suited to these conditions. Obeying these simple rules will ensure the plants you choose will thrive and fit the space you have. Now look at what you want from the plant(s) - structural evergreen, flower based or lush foliage. Try to contrast/compliment plants with adjoining planting to make them really stand out....