Garden design, garden planning, garden layout, planting plants and planting schemes

Plant Bulbs now to light up your garden

Posted on October 4th, 2009

Well this time of year is a very busy and probably important time in the gardening calender, I refer of course to planting spring flowering bulbs. Some tips about bulbs:

Best to buy good firm healthy bulbs (free of any blemishes), avoid if possible the bulk discounted packs, as I’ve found many do not flower very well or tend to be be weak and do not repeat in subsequent seasons.

Ideally plant bulbs as soon as possible after purchase, if you need to store them, remove from plastic sales packaging and placed them on an open tray or in pots in a dry cool and dark environment. 

Prepare the ground ensuring that the soil is relatively free draining soil conditions, if soil is heavy, add some grit, as persistent damp areas will undermine performance and/or rot bulbs. Add some compost and coarse grit. Make sure to plant bulbs at correct depth and point or ‘toe’ facing upwards. Planting depths will vary, but usually at least x 3 times the equivalent of bulb size.

After flowering period do not cut or remove foliage too soon, allow to go brown as during this period the foilage is building energy resources for next year’s flowering. For example, a common problem with poor flowering of Daffodils is that the foliage is cut back too soon after flowering with the result that the following year’s performance is very poor due to the bulb having insufficient food resources to permit flowering.  Some of the more popular bulb varieties would include Daffodils, Narcissi, Hyacinths and Tulips etc     

For more useful information and practical advice about planting bulbs, see some previous Sunblogs/articles:

http://www.owenchubblandscapers.com/news/entry/on-the-edge-adding-glamour/

http://ezinearticles.com/?Planting-Bulbs-For-Colour&id=1818856

http://ezinearticles.com/?Planting-Spring-Flowering-Garden-Bulbs&id=1768253  

http://www.articlesbase.com/gardening-articles/planting-garden-bulbs-675335.html

Family Friendly Urban Garden Design

Posted on July 16th, 2009

Not so long ago a family garden was little more than an open expanse of lawn with the concrete invariably down the middle and a few bruised and battered shrubs dotted around the perimeter. Fortunately nowadays, Home owners are increasingly more discerning about spatial layouts and more creative in defining the scope and content of the family garden.

Afterall and weather permitting there is no doubt that the family garden is perhaps the most liked, most used and probably most enjoyed area of the family home? 

When it comes to designing and planning the layout of a Family oriented garden, there are some critical elements to be considered. Many might to some be very obvious, for example, a Children’s Play area which ideally demands an open aspect, Plant selection criteria will most likely include some specimen/architectural plant specimens, some screening but otherwise plants which offer year round interest, colourful display, requiring limited attention or low maintenance, reliable performers which are also resilient given the scope and range of activities one would expect in a family garden. In relation to the adult preferences, good interesting and practical layouts are much preferred, ones offering some features in different areas, evening and daytime Patios with natural stone paving, garden lighting and water features are increasingly more popular and lastly a coherent layout which links all the various areas in a pleasing but simple and flexible forms.

Our most recent project completed in Floraville features a good size urban garden in a well established and quiet Dublin suburb. East facing but sheltered, the garden is very typical in terms of scale and requirements of what many young parents expect and wish to have in their family garden.

The photos show a selection of views from the various areas within the garden including Main (Daytime) and Bistro (Evening) Patios, a link pathway takes one around the garden on oneside sweeping easily around the lawn perimeter, access to Garden shed and beyond. Mature bamboos were positioned at key points to provide good and immediate screening backdrops. The Sandstone Raised Bed with its gentle sweeping curve and wall capping to provide an informal seating area, a major feature contains some striking plant groups as well as a Water feature and being within the Main Patio area represents not only a significant and important practical feature but also a striking focal point.     

To provide greater use of the Childrens Swing and Slide, a specially prepared base was constructed and with a synthetic grass covering is an ideal all weather play surface for the younger children. 

Specimen planting featured the beauty of the Olive tree, Nandina Domestica, Phyllostachys Aurea and Pseudosassa Bamboos as well as the beautifully platted and heavenly scented Jasmine climbers (Rhyncospernum) which appear like Mop heads/Standards but are trained on aluminium frameworks. In contrast to the Sandstone paving and Raised Beds, Trellis screening provides ideal backdrop to the timber Raised beds constructed using pressure treated Pine Sleepers.

I believe that this family friendly garden project in Floraville is proof that the design of a family garden in which children can play, adults can entertain, plants that appeal but require little attention, special features to attract and enjoy and a layout that is broadly simple but very practical is always possible. Competent Skillsets, practical professional experience and some creative thinking are essential requirements to achieve better results.

Time to get the garden into shape

Posted on March 18th, 2009

Well I must admit, it was with some relief that I was able to read some good and alternative news for a change! According to recent UK survey, there are now over 20 million domestic lawns in the UK which is an enormous grass area equivalent to over 170,000 football pitches. The survey indicated that the number of people replacing lawn areas for car parking spaces has dropped back, down to 15% from a previous level (2004) 26%. This surprised me, as there would appear to be much annecdotal evidence of a growing trend (need) for more car parking. An industry spokesperson for the UK lawnmower engine producers said ‘ this was good news and we must continue to protect our lawns’, well he would, wouldn’t he? Certainly in my experience, when it comes to a crunch, people are more likely to reduce the lawn in part if not remove it entirely in order to protect the car, and get it off the road!

Elsewhere I read that the RHS will unveil a new variety of Daffodil which they have named after the Welsh popstar, Duffy. The new variety described as a small but robust bloom has been named ‘Duffydil’ and will be formally unveiled in April.

As St Patrick’s Day traditionally signals the kick-off for the new gardening season, here are a few practical tips to quickly get your garden into shape and looking fit and healthy.

Patios/Pathways – now is the ideal time to remove all weeds, either by hand or killed off by using a path weedkiller. To restore the ‘like-new’ look and remove any greening and residual grime simply power wash all hard surfaces.

Garden Ponds- ensure pump is working and remove all traces of fallen leaf and trim any overhanging nearby planting. Areas around Reservoir Water features should also be cleared of any fallen leaf and if the feature water has not been operated over the winter months, chances are there will be an unusual foul smell (stagnant water) when the pump is switched on, however this is quickly remedied once the pump runs a few hours and oxygen levels in the water have been restored.

Gravel areas – remove all debris and fallen leaf (a garden blower is an excellent labour saving piece of equipment), rake gravel to produce a neat appearance and treat area if there any visible signs of weeds.

Plant Beds & Borders – remove any dead or diseased plants, litter, weed and leaf clutter. Hoe area to freshen up the appearance of the soil around plants or top dress with compost or bark mulch. Now is also a good time to make changes to layout, so transplant any shrubs or young trees to new locations within the garden. Trim or prune any wayward or low hanging branches causing obstruction.

Lawn care – an old gardener’s secret to a beautiful lawn but subject to the weather, is to start mowing in March and apply a general Spring lawn feed. Lawns which are weak or patchy and showing poor colour yellow or pale green patches are signs that the lawn requires nitrogen which will quickly restore the lush green look. Lawns with moss will require special treatment of lawn sand or sulphate of ammonia. Ensure all edges are trimmed especially along borders and pathways.

Patios/Pathways – now is the ideal time to remove all weeds, either by hand or killed off by using a path weedkiller. To restore the ‘like-new’ look and remove any greening and residual grime simply power wash all hard surfaces.

Garden Ponds- ensure pump is working and remove all traces of fallen leaf and trim any overhanging nearby planting. Areas around Reservoir Water features should also be cleared of any fallen leaf and if the feature water has not been operated over the winter months, chances are there will be an unusual foul smell (stagnant water) when the pump is switched on, however this is quickly remedied once the pump runs a few hours and oxygen levels in the water have been restored.

Gravel areas – remove all debris and fallen leaf (a garden blower is an excellent labour saving piece of equipment), rake gravel to produce a neat appearance and treat area if there any visible signs of weeds.

Plant Beds & Borders – remove any dead or diseased plants, litter, weed and leaf clutter. Hoe area to freshen up the appearance of the soil around plants or top dress with compost or bark mulch. Now is also a good time to make changes to layout, so transplant any shrubs or young trees to new locations within the garden. Trim or prune any wayward or low hanging branches causing obstruction.

Lawn care – an old gardener’s secret to a beautiful lawn but subject to the weather, is to start mowing in March and apply a general Spring lawn feed. Lawns which are weak or patchy and showing poor colour yellow or pale green patches are signs that the lawn requires nitrogen which will quickly restore the lush green look. Lawns with moss will require special treatment of lawn sand or sulphate of ammonia. Ensure all edges are trimmed especially along borders and pathways.

Finally, another news item which recently caught my attention, what  appears to be the first hairdressing concession at a garden centre in Dorset! Brings a whole new meaning to ‘outdoor living’?

Using Trees and Shrubs for year round interest

Posted on March 15th, 2009

If you are a new gardening enthusiast, you might be wondering which trees or shrubs to select for your new garden? Well it can be confusing, especially when you discover the many different varieties of trees and shrubs available from which to choose. Here is an easy to follow introduction which might help you making some choices.

Before we begin, let’s consider what a tree is and how does it differ from a shrub? Well perhaps one of the easiest distinguishing features of trees is that they carry branches on a single stem or trunk, however there are certain tree forms which are referred to as ‘multi-stem’ trees, i.e., more than one stem emerging from ground level/rootball, these particular tree forms are specially grown/cultivated for their more ornamental/decorative appearance to the normal single stem forms. Shrubs on the other hand, tend to have many stems emerging from ground level. There are essentially two groups Evergreen, i.e., do not shed leaf and Deciduous, typically shed leaf in Autumn and remain leafless until Spring. There are evergreen and deciduous varieties of trees and shrubs.

When it comes to size, i.e., height and spread characteristics, trees are generally larger than shrubs, but there are several exceptions. Dwarf trees, although technically trees, no more than a few feet tall/900mm can be dwarfed by many larger shrubs such Olearia, Buddleia, Viburnum, all well capable of exceeding heights of 3m and often more. The Mahonia is a majestic looking shrub but is sometime confused for a tree, especiually when some of the lower branches have been removed.

When it comes to flowering, generally the shrubs are winners. Many trees bear interesting and often heavily scented flowers, mimosa, acacia and cherry, whilst other trees produce cones (hence the name ‘conifers’) instead of flowers. Some Evergreens produce broad leaves such Oak, Holly and Laurel, whilst the Olive has a shorter and more tapered leaf. Conifers like Spruce and Pine tend to produce ‘needles’ and other conifers like Cypress have softer foliage.

Trees and shrubs are used in gardens mainly for decorative purposes but whilst some trees and shrubs are used for privacy and make good hedges they can also provide shelter from sun or wind, screen out unwanted views and respite from noise. Trees can provide attractive scale in a garden whether this is an architectural role of size, structure and definition or to simply contrast with an otherwise single level monotony. Shrubs are much more popular in gardens, not only because they provide more variety and ornamental values, but are easier to maintain, transplant if necessary or remove if required. Shrubs are also generally quicker growing, hence the saying “plant a tree for the next generation”.

When it comes to planting styles, there are several options but most would agree that Trees and shrubs planted in combined groups provide much more pleasing and attractive results. Sometimes individual trees or shrubs may be planted as solitary or single specimens, usually in an open area such as a lawn where the particular qualities can be viewed from all angles. Small weeping specimens such as Salix Kilmarnock or Cotoneaster Hybridus Pundulas are very popular choices for use as single specimens. Olive trees are a popular choice for planting in a series/row. Trees are excellent for removing airborne dust whereas low growing shrubs provide excellent and low maintenance ground cover, retain soil on embankments and effectively reduce the spread of weeds etc.

Trees and shrubs are an important aspect to every garden, not only for decorative purposes but also provide useful shelter, protection as well as a valuable habitat and source of food for the local birds.

Gardening with Planters

Posted on February 21st, 2009

Gardening with planters is a very enjoyable, easy and rewarding way to achieve great results and real impact in the garden. How to get the best results? Some simple rules apply and a little planning is all that is required to achieve stunning results.

Gardening with planters and containers is very popular and a particularly favourite way to grow seasonal bedding plants, but planters are also a very useful and practical means for growing shrubs, trees, fruit, herbs and even vegetables.

Frequently gardening with planters is all about adding a splash of colour to give an extra wow affect, other times planters can be used very effectively to brighten a dull corner, obscure an unwanted view, frame an entrance and in the case of small areas to provide planting opportunities where traditional methods of planting in prepared ground is not possible (hard surface areas).

Whether we wish to decorate indoors or outdoors, at home or at the office, at the entrance or on the patio, on the rooftop or on the balcony and even tricky areas like steps, the scope for gardening with planters is practically endless. Choose planters wisely, probably most will be used in outdoor situations, we must remember to choose containers that are frost proof, which allows surplus water and rain to drain away and not drown plants. Some planters have an inbuilt irrigation means of providing water to the plants when needed, this labour and time saving feature is increasingly becoming very popular. For larger planters, it might be worth considering mobile stands or other means of easily moving the planter around the patio area?

When it comes to size, size matters, so better to think BIG. Larger planters are more flexible because they allow the plants to develop better, look better and ultimately achieve a more balanced and appealing mature appearance. They are also usually require (because of greater capacity and less likely to ‘dry out‘) less watering than smaller pots and how often do we see stressed plants ’potbound’ because they have simply become too big and outgrown the container? Larger planters widen the choice of plants from which to choose, allow us to plant up more plants and achieve more impressive results with interesting combinations.

There is a wide selection of planters now available in a range of sizes, shapes, finishes, colours and materials. So whether the preferred style is cottage gardening or post-modern, planters can bring interest and have real impact in our efforts to enhance the indoor/outdoor areas of our living/working garden environments.

Selling the house? Give it ‘Kerb Appeal’!

Posted on February 8th, 2009

Giving the house an extra bit of TLC (tender loving care) before putting it on the market will make all the difference to the sale, says garden landscaper, Owen Chubb. “Today outdoor living has become more of a priority and it’s not surprising that many consider the garden a critically important aspect when buying a house.”

Specifically, Owen advises would-be house sellers to:

• Remember to ensure ‘kerb appeal’;
• Take the dog for a walk;
• Ensure the grass is always greener;
• Stop and smell the roses;
• Keep the Focus and
• Don’t forget the social areas!

Kerb Appeal:
Research figures show that when it comes to viewings, prospective buyers form an opinion within 30 seconds of seeing the property’s exterior. Referred to as ‘Kerb Appeal’, how the buyers initially react to the exterior can have a major impact on eventual interest. Since the exterior is the first thing a buyer will see, first impressions are very important. This critical 30 seconds could make the difference between a sale and disappointment. An effective use of colour and style should provide a seamless transition from the house interior to the ‘outdoor room’ or garden areas.

Take the dog for a walk!
To get some ideas on where to start, Owen advises sellers to take some time to walk around their local area and see how their house compares. Is the garden above/below average standard for the area? Are the fencing, paintwork and paved areas in good condition? Are trees and shrubs neat and tidy? Are lawn areas groomed, green and refreshing or simply jaded weedy patches? “Once you have surveyed your surroundings, and have both an idea of what is popular and in keeping with the other houses, you need to make yours stand out from all the others,” he says.

Ensure the Grass is Always Greener
Lawns should be in good condition, evenly cut with crisp, well-defined edges, weeded and cleared of all grass cuttings and fallen leaves. If the colour is not vivid, consider feeding with lawn fertiliser. If the problems are more serious and lawn is infested with weeds, it might be better to replace old lawn with new turf. A well maintained groomed lawn – whatever the size – makes a striking impression.

Stop and Smell the Roses
Make the garden a bright, airy and appealing place to be. This is easily achieved by dead-heading old flowers, trimming and pruning shrubs and trees, especially those that are low hanging or overgrown – especially around windows and over footpaths.

Spring sees the start of the new gardening year. Garden centres are bursting with plants, flowers and bulbs which are all great for bright, eye-catching displays.

When planting, don’t underestimate the power of scent which can be an exciting experience in the garden. Owen advises to try planting scented shrubs near windows or better still near seating areas and along footpath edges. There are plenty of plant types to choose from including Shrubs, herbaceous and Herbs, e.g., Lavenders, Santolinas, Helichrysums, Lillies, Roses, Dill, Thyme, Rosemary etc.

Keep the Focus
Create a focal point in order to draw the buyer’s eye and give the garden a purpose – and again, this is easily done with a strategically placed bench, water feature or sculpture.

Containers add drama to the entrance of a house. Choose them to complement their surroundings. “Invest a little extra money in the containers as remember, when you sell your house, you can take them with you,” says Owen. Avoid small pots – they don’t hold many plants and tend to dry out very quickly. Terracotta, stoneware and glazed containers are relatively inexpensive and come in all shapes and sizes.

Social Areas
Make the most of the patio – an illusion of a larger space can be created by investing in a small ‘Tea for Two’ table. Candles add some romance to the patio so sellers should try to have some lighting when the house is viewed.

A small investment can result in a face lift for the patio – hire a power washer to remove accumulated surface grime and moss. The power washer will even pull up some of the smaller weeds, saving some back ache! A few strategically positioned colourful planters can have a dramatic effect at or near Patio areas or in overlooked recessed areas.

Other tips include:

• All doors, windows, drains and down pipes should be cleared of webs, washed and any debris removed;
• Garden outbuildings and sheds might benefit from a coat of paint;
• Toys should be stored away neatly;
• Water features and pond areas should be cleaned and pumps in good
  working order;
• Check garden lights and replace any faulty light bulbs;
• Check driveway areas for any signs of engine oil, remove anystains with proprietary cleaners.

Some useful criteria for selecting a Stainless Steel Water Feature

Posted on February 7th, 2009

When it comes to selecting a stainless steel water feature, there is a very large range of styles and sizes from which to choose. Before making your final decision, there are some important aspects to be considered during the selection process.

These include quality of stainless steel material, not all stainless steel is the same. Ideally select grade 304, this has excellent grade finish and is particularly durable. Simple and easily accessible means of securing the water feature is particularly important. For example tall narrow features might appear elegant but if used externally can become very unstable during windy conditions and topple over. An effective means of securing the feature in position is therefore essential. Small adjustments may also be required in order to get the optimum performance and an even water flow. Afterall you do want to enjoy mesmerizing flows and soothing ripples? Sometimes some minor adjustments to correct the vertical and horizontal levels might be required. If this is not possible you could end up with a water feature which is off balance and be leaning and consequently the water flow will not appear uniform and even.

Most stainless steel water features come with plastic reservoirs which are intended to be buried in the ground. Some manufacturers offer additional trims to facilitate the free standing of reservoirs on a hard surface, however these are rarely satisfactory and can be very difficult to secure. A better solution for a free standing feature is to select an integrated feature, ie one which comes with a stainless steel reservoir and finished to a very high standard. In better quality designs, it should not be possible to see any fixings, pump or indeed inside the reservoir. Integrated stainless steel water features because of their superior finish are particularly suited for above ground installations and are ideal for a range of areas of applications including private and commercial interiors. They may of course be installed on a patio area.

Lastly but not least ensure the water pump is reasonably quiet, there’s nothing worse than the intrusive noise of a poor quality pump to interfere and disrupt the soothing sound effects of running water. Pump capacity is very important, it is not uncommon especially with cheaper features to have pumps which have a very limited capacity to achieve good user controlled variable flow rates for the particular feature. Ensure the pump has adequate capacity to provide sufficient water flow that is appealling to you. Do bear in mind that on very windy days it might be advisable to reduce the flow rates, so a facility to adjust the flow rate easily is very desirable. There is no doubt that a water feature is a wonderful addition to any interior or exterior environment, and if your feature is particularly good quality you will also enjoy some potential health benefits of a localised ionised atmosphere which can result from running water. The effect is somewhat similar to what people experience after a heavy downpour of rain, a refreshing sensation on the local atmosphere.

These pointers should ensure a wise decision when selecting your stainless steel water feature.

A New Lawn with roll turf

Posted on January 25th, 2009

Fed up with the constant battling of trying to defeat weeds in a patchy lawn? Well, you’d be surprised how quickly a jaded weedy patch can be replaced by a glorious eye catching lush green lawn, that not only makes the garden beautiful but perhaps even bigger. For professional tips on how to achieve the perfect finish, read on.

When it comes to replacement, the three key decisions relate to timing, when can the work be undertaken? Which will give better results seeded or roll turf and finally cost, what is the most cost effective way of replacing an old lawn? First of all, a new lawn especially a roll turf lawn can be installed pretty much any time of the year except of course during very cold and/or wet spells. On the other hand, a seeded lawn is best done during April-October, when the ground conditions are drier and soil temperatures are a little warmer. The ground preparations for both methods is identical. The new lawn requires good ground preparation. A seeded solution will take longer to develop and if the ground preparation have not been carefully completed, weeds are likely to appear very soon and prove to be tough competitors with the new grass shoots compete for valuable soil moisture and nutrients. The time and effort involved from seeding to lawn becoming established can be several months before a firm, hard wearing attractive surface is achieved. Roll turf on the other hand can become very established within a matter of only a few weeks, and within a month should be well able to withstand all the rough and tumble of children playing football etc. But for many people the main reason for preferring roll turf to seed is very clear. Roll turf have the distinct advantage of having the ‘finished look’ when completed. The only aftercare during the initial weeks involves keeping the grass moist but this will also apply to a seeded area.

If you wish to replace/install a new lawn, here are a few useful tips:

• Remove existing lawn (Tip: prior to commencement of works, spray old grass with a systemic weedkiller) in a small area, a flat spade should be adequate, for larger areas, consider hiring a sod cutter machine

• Dig or rotovate the soil to at least the depth of a spade, 12”/300mm

• Remove all stones, builders debris etc

• Apply a good fertiliser (e.g. pre-turfing feed) to area by raking into the soil

• Rake the area to produce an even smooth level and a fine tilth finish to surface

• Water the area well and allow it to settle

• Prior to installing the new lawn, ensure the are is generally dry.

Installing the new Lawn

Ideally new roll turf should be installed as soon as possible after delivery, if for any reason, this is not possible, roll turf may be rolled out onto a flat surface and if kept moist, can be stored in this fashion for up to 48 hours. Under no circumstances are the individual sods to be left rolled up for an extended period as new grass will quickly deteriorate and turn yellow.

• Begin by the laying the sod along the longest straight line, and ensure that subsequent lines are staggered, i.e. row 1 starts with a full roll length, row 2 starts with a half roll length and roll 3 starts with a full row length

• Push edges together and ensure all joints are well butted, a sharp knife will be required to cut sods ( I find an Old Bread Knife ideal). Avoid any small cuts as these will tend to be poor at retaining moisture and will dry out very quickly. Instead adjust lengths of last two rolls so that the end piece is not narrower than 12”/300mm wide

• Avoid during installation walking on the new turf, use wide boards or plywood sheeting

• After installation is completed, water well and continue daily until approx 2 weeks by which time the new sods should have become well knitted and rooted in the ground

Aftercare for the new Lawn

To retain the vivid green lush look of a new lawn and good healthy grass growth:

• Continue feeding the lawn every six weeks during the growing season (April-October) and do not forget to apply a winter feed later in year (which is a specially formulated feed to ensure strong root development)

• It is very important during the initial few months that the new lawn does not dry out, so if necessary water regularly

• Do not allow the grass become too long and generally avoid cutting the new lawn shorter than 2”/50mm. Frequent cutting (except during wet spells) is ideal to maintaining a beautiful finish.

Planning a new garden

Posted on January 10th, 2009

We frequently hear ‘size matters’ but in gardening, very often small is very beautiful and therefore with careful planning and clever design, it is possible to transform even the smallest space or plot into an attractive feature rich garden oasis. Even if your plans are to build a garden on a small budget, it is possible to develop an attractive planting scheme without spending a fortune.

Before the process of designing a garden begins, it is necessary to first plan the new garden space. Other factors which will also require consideration include budget – how much are you willing to spend on features, plant varieties, stage of maturity etc, and how much time you are willing to invest in maintaining your new garden. Gardening might be broadly considered a leisure activity, but for many it involves plenty of activity and little leisure! As time becomes an increasing precious resource, it is very important that we also consider time and how much time will be available to manage and maintain the garden as it develops and matures.

When it comes to planning a garden, there are several factors which might be considered but three in particular:

•Aspect – note the direction and times as the sun travels across the site. Remember that patios, ponds, flower beds, vegetable plots, fruit trees etc require good light. Sheds, compost heaps and shade loving plants can be positioned in areas where light levels are low. Trees are excellent for screening out unwelcome views but they do cast shadows especially long shadows during winter.

•Topography – sloping or uneven sites offer particular design scope not found in level sites. Otherwise when planning avoid placing fruit trees or other frost sensitive plants in hollows where temperatures are more likely to be lower than other parts of the site. Site areas which might be subject to persistent cross winds might require windbreaks until new shrubs and trees become established.

•Soil – as general garden wisdom goes, one plants with the soil, not against it. Important to test the pH of your garden soil to determine whether it is alkaline or acidic. Plants which are lime hating should not be planted in alkaline soils or plants that are lime tolerant should not be planted in acidic soils. Similarly plants which prefer moist conditions are not suitable for growing in free draining sandy soils. A quick survey of neighbouring gardens would be a useful indicator of which plants are thriving in local conditions and would be good indicators of prevailing soil conditions etc.

Ideally when planning a garden in large sites try to create compartments otherwise in all sites large and small go for distinctive views which will vary and change as one walks through the garden. Some people prefer an open view looking at the garden from the house, whereas an incomplete or slightly obscured view can create mystery, intrigue and interest to explore. There are some visual aspects which can be considered:

•The relationship of house and garden can be softened through use of perimeter beds, growing roses or climbing plants against the house or indeed well positioned hanging baskets, window boxes or pots.

•Trees are excellent focal points, for screening unwanted views, shelter etc but position trees that will not obscure interesting views, create cold shadows in important areas.

•Patios, paving and pathways, use materials that will blend with or contrast sympathetically with house and garden style. Natural stone is an excellent choice. Avoid dissecting lawn areas, instead position pathways on one side, and better still plan the route which takes the visitor on a journey through the planted areas. It may even be possible to conceal pathways in amongst the planting.

•Geometry, straight lines can look particularly well in contemporary or architectural formal garden but otherwise curves are usually more appealing. Avoid intricate short complex curves and instead plan long bold sweeps.

•Outbuildings including garden sheds, glasshouses, and potting sheds should where possible be screened. Plan positions carefully, glasshouses should be in sunny locations but there is no real need for the garden shed to stand in the sunniest place of the garden.

Every garden no matter how small the space is, has big potential to become a relaxing and stylish retreat.

Magical winter scents

Posted on January 6th, 2009

It may be cold outside but winter is a great time for enjoying some of the more intensely powerful, fresh and fruity scents in the garden. Here are six tips for adding some great fragrance into your winter garden.

In nature, the role of scent is very simple, to attract pollinating insects to plants. During winter the air is humid and with few leaves on the trees and even fewer insects around at this time of year, the garden tends to be quiet. But despite winter flowers appearing to be smaller and colours more subtle, the strength of the fragrance can be colossal. Apparently nature has determined that during winter at least, that scent not colour is more important to attracting the few circulating pollinating insects.

For people, much of the garden planning tends to focus around the warmer summer months, however it is still important to include some winter scented plants even in a summer planting scheme. Position as always is important, so try to position winter plants near pathway or steps where the fragrance will be more accessible and enjoyed each time you pass by.

Worth remembering too that fragrance can also be found not just in flowers but also in plants with aromatic foliage, for example lavender, rosemary, santolina are all still very scented long after they’ve finished flowering and throughout the winter months. But the real star performers are of course the winter flowering scented shrubs and here are seven of the best:

1 Daphne odora ‘Aureomarginata – rosy pink and white flowers of this evergreen shrub produce an incredible and pervasive strong sweet fragrance.

2 Hamamelis x intermedia ‘Pallida’ – the Chinese witch hazel, with sharp scents and distinctive spidery flowers in a range of colours including yellow, orange and red on bare stems.

3 Lonicera x purpusii – a rather plain looking shrub with creamy white flowers which last from November to March, but with a delicious scent that make it worthy of a place in any garden.

4 Mahonia x media ‘Charity’ – a beautiful evergreen architectural shrub, with prickly leaves and layered structure. A very popular shrub with garden designers. During winter, the plant produces impressive and heavenly scented yellow flowers, followed by clusters of dark blue grape sized berries.

5 Sarcococca confusa – commonly known as Christmas Box, a compact and easy to grow plant is ideally planted near a pathway from which the honeyed scent of the insignificant white flowers can be best enjoyed.

6 Viburnum x bodnatense ‘Dawn’ – a glorious and inspiring shrub when in full flower featuring tightly packed pink blooms on bare stems simply overflowing with a heavenly fragrance.

Do not forget you can also enjoy the winter scents indoors for days, simply cut a few stems, take them inside and place in a vase of water.