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

On the edge – adding glamour

Posted on December 22nd, 2008

Ideally one should remove the bulbs from sales packaging as soon as possible after purchasing, otherwise they will rot especially in sealed plastic bags. Store bulbs in a dry and frost free place until you are ready to plant. Ensure the ground has been prepared in advance, i.e. well dug and free draining. Add some compost and fish, bone & blood fertiliser.

Plant bulbs ‘nose up’ at the depth and spacing to suit variety (check packaging for details). Cover with compost/soil and press down firmly to eliminate any air pockets. Water well and mark. Add some horticultural sand or grit to improve drainage under bulbs and offer some protection against possible slug and snail damage.

Formal displays can be attractive but bulbs are at their very best when planted in random groups or colonies. This is especially true when planted in lawn areas. Simply scatter bulbs, lift a layer of turf with a spade and dig a hole. Plant as outlined earlier, replace turf and water well. For best effect, concentrate the naturalised drift around trees and also in corners of lawns so as to make mowing around the area easier.

Remove dead flower heads to encourage further flowering. Taller plants like Lily, Dahlia and Gladioli will require support with canes. Repeat feeding after flowering to provide nutrients for the production of next year’s crop. Food contained in the foliage, returns to the bulbs after flowering. Do not cut leaves, to tidy simply tie in a bundle and wait until the leaves have gone completely brown before removing.

After a number of years, expect some congestion and overcrowding of bulbs especially with Daffodils and Narcissi. When this happens, simply dig and remove bulbs and divide with spade. During winter top dress area with a layer of bark mulch to protect Nerines, Lilies and Agapanthus from frost. Some bulbs including summer flowering varieties like Begonias should be removed
Before onset of frost. Simply dig up, remove all foliage and clean off soil. Allow to dry for a few days before storing them away in a cool, dry and frost free area.

Adding Glamour with Bulbs

Posted on December 21st, 2008

Autumn heralds the time of year for planting spring flowering bulbs, one of the prettiest sights in the garden. Favourite varieties to name a few include daffodils, crocuses, hyacinths, tulips and snowdrops bring much welcomed colour and glamour to the spring garden. Spring flowering bulbs can be used very effectively in a number of different situations and here’s how to add some extra glamour.

Glamour in beds – a formal bed is usually grown intensively and ideally supplemented with plenty of well rotted organic matter especially at root level. Dig the area and mark out the area according to your plan. Good ground preparation is essential, mix in plenty of good quality compost or well rotted manure and mix in some coarse grit or vermiculite to improve drainage. Place and plant the bulbs as recommended in the prepared bed and backfill carefully. Use a proprietary bulb fertilizer or a fertilizer low in nitrogen and top dress the planting area with a layer of bark mulch.

Glamour in groups – when planted in groups, it can be difficult to cultivate the entire bed. In such circumstances, area should be dug deeper, a layer of compost should be added below root level before planting the bulbs. Mix the extracted soil with soil and backfill. Fertilize as recommended for bulb beds.

Natural glamour colonies – to achieve the traditional natural effect in lawns or meadows or indeed under trees or shrubs, simply scatter bulbs and plant. Choose hardy varieties that spread vigorously. Small flowering bulbs like crocuses and muscaris are dependable spreaders. You can also depend on larger flowers such as hyacinths, Iris, and Daffodils to naturalise but slower to spread. Avoid the common error of cutting the bulb foliage too soon after flowering because the following year’s flowering performance will be greatly reduced.

General Garden Care (Mulching)

Posted on December 21st, 2008

Here are practical tips on specific aspects of general garden care although some items might be considered routine, your efforts will be rewarded with better performance and enduring beautiful results.

MULCHING

Although there is a growing list of materials from which to choose, including bark (at least 3 different grades: fine, mini, medium), rubber chip, coloured wood chip, stone/pebble, slate, glass etc, it is probably fair to say that bark mulch is still by far the preferred top dressing for planted areas. But how much and how often does one apply mulch?

The recommended depth for a mulch dressing is 30mm-50mm (approx 1-2 inches) which is generally applied to all newly (as well as established)planted areas. Bark mulch being a natural product will decompose over time, faster in drier weather and blowing around during windy spells. Although it can and does look very smart on planted areas it doesn’t last forever and annual top ups are necessary. Avoid over doing the depth, too much is likely to cause problems for plants, excess moisture in poorly drained soils, reduce oxygen levels in soil etc
Less is more and if you stay within recommended levels, good moisture retention and weed control can be achieved.

When to apply – plan to top up on an annual basis, but avoid applying mulch too early,ie, avoid the risk of trapping excess moisture in soil which will cause problems for plants. Wait until the very wet spells have passed and the soil has had a chance to dry ou. Apply in early May or early June.

Apart from planted areas, mulch can be very effective around specimen trees and shrubs, provide good definition of ring beds at base but also helps to prevent grass encroaching around stem and subsequent risk of damage by strimming or mowing etc.

Why not make your own compost to add to your mulch dressing, not only will it reduce the cost but also add valuable nutrients to the soil as well as help to improve the overall aesthetics.

Go for the ‘top of the range’ and make your compost corner an attractive feature. No need to hide plastic tubs or rotting heaps at the bottom of the garden anymore. The Beehive Composter is designed to meet the requirements of the discerning user and is an excellent composter particularly for townhouse gardens where ‘form comes before function’. It can also be used as an attractive garden tidy/store for tools etc. Quality of workmanship and finishing sets our beehive composters apart. Choose from the very popular flatpack or one of our ready assembled models. Our Beehive Composters are supplied in natural ready for you to paint or stain in the colour of your choice.
We believe our beehive composter is the best quality available with a high level of workmanship and finishing. It’s constructed from mahogany WBP ply which will give a longer outdoor life. In addition, solid brass hinges and screws are used for the lid.
The composter has a capacity of approx 230 litres, measures 560×560 x880, and comes with a hinged lid for ease of depositing all manner of household and garden waste. The completed compost is removed via a panel at the bottom.
The Beehive Composter will make a beautiful design statement in any garden.
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Using Planters for Winter Colour

Posted on December 15th, 2008

A very simple but effective way to achieve a colourful impact in your garden during the winter months is to spruce up the area with some carefully selected planters packed with attractive shrubs full with seasonal colours. Some simple rules apply and success is practically guaranteed. Here leading landscaper Owen Chubb offers readers some practical professional advice on what you need to do to bring colour to your Winter garden.

By the time December arrives, many believe the gardening year is at an end? Not so! Although many gardens are distinct by the lack of colour, most of the deciduous plant stock has shed leaf at this stage and the herbaceous perennials have gone to ground for the dormant season. But gardens need not look so gloomy and here are some simple tips to help put the colour back into the garden. Before you begin, some basic planning is required.

Plants – choose wisely, remember to select plants that look good or their best during the winter months. Choose plants with interesting foliage or better still select varieties which flower at this time of year, there are many to choose from including Skimmia, Coprosma, Hellebores, Mahonia, Cyclamens etc.

Size Matters – yes, select planters that provide adequate space for rootball to develop, avoid planting tall and large plants in shallow planters, or planting compact ground cover plants in large planters.

Form & Colour – applies not just to the plants, size and shape also applies to planters. There is such an array of planters from which to choose. Try clustering planters in groups, in Cottage gardens, a range of sizes can look particularly attractive, whereas in a more architectural formal garden, using one size can reinforce the desired effect.

Planting for impact

Here are some suggestions for interesting combinations:

• Cordyline (tenax) underplanted with the vibrant almost neon like yellow striped Acorus ogon

• For a more architectural look, try planting a specimen plant such as a Half Standard (ie Lollipop form) several varieties to choose from including Bay Laurel, Holly, Camelia etc and underplant with Buxus Sempervirens (common Box) or Euonymous Gaiety. Underplanting should be clipped to reflect the formal look.

• A classic seasonal look, try Skimmia japonica Rubella, with its rich green tapered leaves and masses of flowers/berries. Underplant with the green and yellow striped Carex Evergold.

• Pack extra punch in smaller containers but masses of vibrant colour, try the vibrant red tinged foliage of Hebe Heartbreaker as feature plant and mix with the striking black grass like leaf of Ophiopogon Nigrescens.

• In sheltered areas, Nandina Domestica with its varied foliage colours of green, yellow and red with its masses of red berries can look stunning when combined with the striking bright yellow foliage of Acorus ogon.

• The silver spiked leaves of Astelia Silver Spears provide some seasonal glitter when underplanted with the light green variagated foliage of the dwarf Skimmia Merlot complete with its red berries.

• A striking opulent colour effect can be achieved with a specimen of Phormium Yellow wave mixed with the rich vivid purple colour of Heuchera Palace Purple.

• One of my favourite combinations is to use a specimen half standard olive tree, underplant with Acorus ogon and cyclamens. And for a mesmerizing effect during hours of darkness to place an uplighter in the planter and white light streaking through the silver blue green hues of the olive tree produces an unforgettable Christmas effect.

Many other combinations are possible even with the inclusion of seasonal bulbs and seasonal flowers including cyclamens, hyacinths, winter pansies etc. With some simple planning, striking colour combinations can be achieved and all designed to give a much needed lift to the otherwise drab appearance of winter gardens. Select containers with interesting profiles and colour which will extend the contrast with preferred planting colour schemes.

Finally do not forget to water and apply some feed to the planters to avoid any drying out. It may not be sunny but it is surprising how gentle winds can dry out planters.

Spring Awakening in the Garden

Posted on April 17th, 2008

A pleasing structural garden layout certainly appeals to the senses, however colour, scent and features can also have dramatic impact. In this article, Landscape Designer Owen Chubb offers some tips and advice on how to rejuvenate an uninspiring garden.

HOUSE architecture l design l garden l advice Spring Issue 2008 (pdf).

Making First Impressions Count

Posted on March 19th, 2008

Garden Landscaper Owen Chubb offers some practical advice on preparing your garden for a House Sale.

DNG: City & Town, Issue #48 Spring 2008 (pdf).

Planning Your Perfect Outdoor Living

Posted on January 9th, 2008

Owen Chubb, Landscape Designer, offers some practical advice on designing, building and planting your Outdoor Living Space.

HOUSE architecture l design l garden l advice Summer Issue 2006 (pdf)