The association of plants with locations is something we can all relate to in one way or another. For instance cookery programmes are always keen to remind us that the scent of Rosemary conjures up images of the Mediterranean on a balmy summers day whether we have ever been there to witness it is another matter. For most of us things are much closer […]
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Tips on planning your own garden
Gardens are always changing. Whether it’s through the seasons, new additions of plants and features or alterations to the garden. It was for this reason that I was explaining re-designing a garden to friends. “It’s straightforward”, I explained; “ there isn’t that much choice, either straight lines or curves!” I’d obviously over simplified things, but […]
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Gardening 1910 style
As I write this at the end of 2014 it’s hard to predict what the weather in January 2015 will be like. It may be dry and sunny or perhaps cold, wet and very wintery. The chances are that for most people the garden will not be top of the list of priorities even if […]
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Garden books to the rescue
We are approaching a time of the year when many shrubs may need pruning and a little knowledge can be very helpful. Years ago it seemed that it was almost compulsory for a garden-owning person to have at least one book that described how to prune every type of shrub, tree and perennial imaginable. Like […]
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Landscaping Gardens
Landscaping a garden can be a relatively simple and straight-forward process. Tasks such as laying a patio or a new lawn on a weekend can be a worthwhile and satisfying job. However, major landscaping i.e. removing 100% of the existing garden and replacing it with new is an entirely different game. It’s fantastic to see […]
Plants for every garden situation
Unfortunately it’s generally considered that most retail garden plants come in standard sizes, I guess this is because gardeners are used to visiting the local nursery, garden centre or market stall, (and now discount centres and supermarkets) and seeing standard sized plants in standard sized plant pots in…well…a standard retail environment. It’s a plant with […]
Looking after climbing plants
Climbing plants are great for covering walls, unsightly buildings or just to soften a structure such as a blank wall, but as with all garden plants they do need periodic attention to keep them either in check or looking their best. At this time of year many climbing plants will perhaps need some attention after […]
Mechanical Gardener
I often think that gardening would be a lot easier if the lawns grew at a slower pace, that the weeds were not as prolific in the places that matter and the hedges and shrubs didn’t grow at such an alarming rate. But for every garden task, mowing, pruning and weeding there’s a gadget or […]
Does your property have kerb appeal?
A garden is a big asset when it comes to property sales. It may be a small paved area by the front or a horticultural expanse out the back – whatever the space it can enhance a property and even persuade a buyer to have your property instead of the one next door. Few house […]
Shade Garden Plants
Once a garden is designed, built and planted it never quite finishes there. Being invited back to see a garden is always welcome and just last week I went and had a look around a previously planted garden – I was looking forward to seeing how the overall planting scheme had coped with several winters […]
