Gardeners Tips

The Foxgloves may suffer in very dry conditions. But, Lavender and Pelagoniums are both quite draught resistant.
The dry garden is a garden designed to flourish in hot and dry conditions without additional water. Sometimes, we try hard to fight nature, but, sometimes it is good to grow the plants which will thrive in the conditions we have. A dry garden doesn’t have to be an arid and boring place with nothing more than a few cactus, there are many plants which will thrive in dry conditions.

Californian poppy thrive in hot dry conditions. A good example of a vibrant colourful annual you can grow in a dry garden.

Good Plants for Dry Conditions

Trees

• Acers
• Betula Pendula

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Conifers are very popular in the garden, usually as a utility hedging feature or for a simple topiary feature like above.

They can provide a great natural screening effect – giving the garden more privacy, shelter and it’s own micro climate. However, unchecked, conifers can be a really pain, rapidly growing in size overshadowing a garden throwing shade and drying up neighbouring gardens.

A real potential villain is Leylandii Cypress. It can grow 4 foot a year and is one of the fastest growing trees. It has many advantages if properly pruned – it is hardy, responds well to drastic pruning and soon provides a shelter. But, if left unpruned it can soon get out of control. (see: Dealing with problems of Leylandii)

Often we tend to lump conifers together. However, there is great variety and diversity within this species. There are different types which can offer a useful balance of evergreen colour in the garden.

Try varieties such as Thuja or Taxus (Yew) or Junipers. These provide a variety of shapes, sizes and speed of growing. Tall thin varieties can be great for the small garden.

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An early autumn border – plenty of colour and interest.

The perennial border is one of the great joys of the English garden. It is like an open canvas, constantly changing and evolving. Crammed full of plants it can offer a great display throughout the year. With careful planning and preparation the home gardener can enjoy a perennial border like these photos here.

Tips for the Perennial Border

Contrast. It is important to have some interesting contrast within a border. THis doesn’t have to be opposite colours. Contrast can involve contrast of form, height and movement. Contrast gives any border more interest.

Height. tall plants help a border become three dimensional rather than a two dimensional bedding plant scheme you may see in your local park. For example, Verbena Bonariensis

Movement. Plants which sway in the breeze help give an added interest to the garden. It creates a sense of drama in the border. See: Movement in the garden

A July Border

Be Bold. For effect be prepared to plant in drifts and large groups. Don’t just plant he odd plant here and there, it can be more powerful to see long drifts. At the same time you don’t need to plant in regimented blocks, allow a plant to move throughout the border.

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Lawn at Brasenose College, Oxford University.

If you fancy impressing the neighbours or you fancy holding a croquet tournament on your lawn why not try to grow the perfect lawn? If the idea of a perfect lawn doesn’t appeal no harm, you can always go for a wildlife lawn complete with daises e.t.c However, there are several steps we can take to enjoy a better lawn

10 Steps to a Perfect Lawn

1. Preparation. Prepare the area by providing a good well drained soil, free of large rocks and flattened with a rake. In preparing the lawn, take time to remove any perennial weeds. You can grow from seed, but for more immediate results, buy turf from a specialist supplier. At least then you can get off to a good start. If your lawn is really bad, it may be worth starting from scratch

2. Regular Mowing. Regular mowing at the right height is one of the most important tasks to maintain the lawn in good health and beat off any weeds which may creep into the lawn. The height of mowing will vary. But, generally the rule is to start higher and reduce the cutting height in the middle of the summer, when the lawn is growing fastest.

Another lawn at Brasenose College.
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Wisteria in Full Flower, Lady Margaret Hall, Oxford, June 2010

Wisteria can be a very rewarding climber. If the plant is from good quality stock and it is planted in good conditions it can give a wonderful flowering display.

Tips for Growing Wisteria.

• Wisterias are usually grown from grafted rootstock. It is important you get plants from a reliable source. Non flowering wisteria can often be traced to poor grafting / rootstock which won’t flower whatever you do.
  Wisteria naturally grow in wooded environments with shoots reaching above tree line for sun. Make sure they are planted in plenty of organic matter and ideally soil should be kept shady or moist.
• Wisteria need some training to give the best flowering. Ideally, you want to train along horizontal supports, which will maximise flowering from the spurs which develop from side shoots.
• Wisteria naturally attach themselves to supports in a clock wise motion, so bear this in mind when tying them in.

This well trained Wisteria has a high % of flowers to green leaves.

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Lovely purple of ornamental Alliums. Make great cut flowers and attract the bees.

A selection of plants in flower during early season in Oxford and Yorkshire, England

Bulb Iris. A lovely shade of white and yellow

Glorious Red Poppy. Striking in any border (poppies from seed)

An early flowering coneflower

Purple Iris

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A little light rain often brings out the best in the garden. This dark flag Iris is even more beautiful after a short shower. A light rain may be insufficient for watering the garden, but, it gives a great opportunity to see flowers in a new light.

More on Iris Siberica
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Sprinklers important for new grass seed, but, not always most efficient.

Correct watering is essential to a healthy garden, but, even seasoned gardeners can make mistakes in how and when they water.

Tips for Optimal Watering

• Don’t wait until everything is starting to wilt. Plants may never fully recover from a period of draught – others are more tolerant.
• Don’t water little and often. Many people get into the habit of turning the hosepipe / sprinkler on every day during dry spells, but, this isn’t necessary or even helpful.
• It is better to give one really good soaking once a week. To regain soil moisture, you will need about 2 inches of rainfall (or equivalent watering). A heavy soaking enables the water to get down to the roots. If you keep watering by small amounts , the water will only fall to near the surface. This encourages shallow roots and ironically plants become more liable to draught. If you water heavily, it will encourage deep rooted plants more tolerant of dry conditions.
• After watering, get a trowel and dig down to the depth of the trowel, If the soil is still dry and that depth, it is a sign that you haven’t done it enough.

A well watered garden (mind you it’s easier living in Yorkshire)

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_{photo credit Wheelo28 flickr}

• A densely planted hanging basket in full sun, will need regular watering throughout the summer. On hot days, it may be necessary to water twice a day.
• Make use of water retaining capsules which help to reduce amount of watering needed.
• Leave a gap at top of hanging basket between liner and level of compost, this makes it easier for water to seep into compost rather than drain straight off basket onto floor.
• After watering, test the compost with your finger, make sure the water has drained into the bottom of the basket, sometimes, it can drain away without making it wet. After a while you will get a feel for how much you need to water.
• As the flowering season progresses added a liquid feed or time release capsules which will provide necessary food for plants.

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Hanging Baskets maximise space and give this garden an extra vertical dimension. What a riot of colour!

Hanging Basket Tips

Hanging baskets make a wonderful addition to small gardens or even the outside of buildings where no garden space is available. The downside is that they are quite labour intensive. The upside is that they can offer a riot of colour throughout the summer and can brighten up a bare wall considerably. Also, the summer daily routine of watering can be quite an enjoyable feature – as long as you don’t have too many!

In fact that is one important tip for using hanging baskets – make sure you have a manageable number you can keep to a regular watering and feeding routine.

Making a Hanging Basket

• The type of basket depends primarily on preference. The traditional make is based on a simple wire frame. There are also synthetic plastic models available which can be nice.
• Note, the bigger the basket the easier it will be to water and feed.
• For the base choose the traditional moss or a manufactured hanging basket liner. These will keep the compost in place and allow excess water to escape.
• Choose a good compost that can retain moisture and is relatively free draining. Peat is the best, though there are increasingly alternatives for those worried about environmental damage of using peat.
• Mix some water storing capsules into the compost. This will help reduce the frequency of watering by storing some water that gets added.

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