Growing
Head Gardeners Recommend These Climbing Roses For Shady Garden Areas
IN THIS GUIDE 1) ‘The Generous Gardener’ 2) ‘Mortimer Sackler’ 3) ‘New Dawn’ 4) ‘Emily Gray’ 5) ‘Rambling Rector’ 6) ‘Teasing Georgia’ 7) ‘Zephirine Drouhin’ 8) ‘Claire Austin’ 9) ‘Alberic Barbier’ 10) ‘James Galway’ 11) ‘Phyllis Bide’ 12) ‘Kew Rambler’ 13) ‘Paul Noel’ 14) ‘The Pilgrim’ 15) ‘Veilchenblau’ Growing Tips For Climbing Roses Planting Maintenance Climbing roses come in a wide variety of colours and can help to create a fantastic look wherever they’re used. “If I had to choose one plant that I couldn’t live without, it would be the rose,” shares Horticulturist Sam Hickmott. “With an enormous selection of species and cultivars to choose from to suit a range of sites and situations, roses provide a combination of colour and scent that is rarely matched by other planting. “They can also provide useful structure within borders, particularly the larger shrub roses, as well as food for birds and pollinators.” Climbing roses are extremely popular in the UK and can be seen adorning the walls of countless homes across the country. Although they’re very often used on walls, you can also have them in your garden, on pillars, fences, gates, patios and elsewhere. “All gardens should contain roses,” says Elliott Beveridge, an expert Gardener. “Their versatility is amazing, from large single flowering ramblers to repeat flowering shrub roses. I always incorporate them in any garden that I work in.” Without further ado, let’s look at some of the best climbing roses for shaded areas – 1) ‘The Generous Gardener’ One of the more popular varieties of climbing rose, ‘The Generous Gardener’ has beautiful pink petals that open to reveal an array of stamens. This rose doesn’t just look great though, it’s very practical too thanks to being resistant to disease and its ability to do well in shade. 2) ‘Mortimer Sackler’ This is another great climbing rose to use in shaded areas. It’s not dissimilar in appearance to ‘The Generous Gardener’ due to its pink petals, but it still has a distinct appearance of its own and looks great when used alone or with other roses. 3) ‘New Dawn’ ‘New Dawn’ is a favourite with many gardeners and for good reason. Not only does it look great, with its distinctive pearl pink petals, but it also has a very pleasing scent. It’s also resistant to disease and can cope well in shade and in poorer soils. 4) ‘Emily Gray’ Another rose that does well in shaded areas is ‘Emily Gray’. It’s an incredibly beautiful looking rose, with golden petals and yellow stamens. It’s very healthy, especially when compared to other yellow ramblers and can tolerate shade very well. It’s worth noting that ‘Emily Gray’ only flowers in the summer but when in full bloom, it’s one of the most beautiful climbing roses there is. 5) ‘Rambling Rector’ This fast-growing rose would be perfect for larger gardens since it can grow to 30ft and above. Its white petals and yellow centre create a very distinctive look and although it only flowers during the summer, it’s still a great choice of climbing rose for shaded areas. 6) ‘Teasing Georgia’ This yellow rose is incredibly beautiful, with its tightly packed petals in the centre and paler petals around the sides. It has a great scent and would be perfect on a north wall due to its ability to cope with shade and overall hardiness. 7) ‘Zephirine Drouhin’ The deep pink shade of this rose makes it a great choice if you’re looking to add some vibrant colour to your garden. It flowers from July until September and is one of the most reliable climbing roses. It’s also the only one in this list without thorns. 8) ‘Claire Austin’ 9) ‘Alberic Barbier’ 10) ‘James Galway’ 11) ‘Phyllis Bide’ 12) ‘Kew Rambler’ 13) ‘Paul Noel’ 14) ‘The Pilgrim’ 15) ‘Veilchenblau’ Growing Tips For Climbing Roses Although climbing roses can grow in a variety of conditions, there are steps to follow if you want them to be at their healthiest. Firstly, you should always plant them in soil that’s fertile and in good condition. It’s also a good idea to plant them in areas that get decent exposure to the sun but with a decent amount of shelter too. If you’re using one of the varieties mentioned above, then you can plant in semi-shade, but avoid positions that are in heavy shade for much of the day. You’ll also need to water the roses quite regularly, especially in the first season after they’ve been planted and during dry spells in the summer. It’s a good idea to plant climbing roses in late winter or early spring since this will give the roots time to get established before the drier weather in the summer. If you plant them in late winter, then make sure the soil isn’t frozen when you put them down. Climbing roses with some beautiful tints of yellow and pink Planting The most important thing when planting climbing roses is to ensure you dig the hole wide enough so it can accommodate all the roots. You should also make the soil at the bottom of the hole loose so that roots will be able to grow into it more easily. Once you’ve dug the hole you should carefully place the plant and lightly pack the soil around it and water it well. Maintenance As for pruning, you’ll mostly need to do this in the first couple of years as the roses are still establishing themselves. After this, you’ll need to do some light pruning in late winter or early spring. When pruning, you should cut back the lateral canes to encourage growth. You should also get rid of any dead leaves around the roses as this will encourage growth too. “If the rose becomes dense and congested, you should prune out some of the oldest stems at the base to encourage light and air movement for the remaining stems,” shares Colin Skelly, a Master Horticulturist.. “Keep in mind that although these roses tolerate partial shade, they will not thrive in prolonged heavy shade.” You’ll need to water climbing roses regularly if you want them to flourish. It’s best to water them in the morning. Be sure not to overwater them though, as saturated soil can easily lead to fungal diseases. It’s also a good idea to feed roses with organic fertiliser, with early spring being the best time to do this. You should consider adding some mulch in the late autumn too since this will provide some much-needed insulation during the winter.
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14 Reliable Hedging Plants That Are Popular Throughout The Country
IN THIS GUIDE Hedging Varieties Hedges With Thorns 1) Hawthorn 2) Firethorn 3) Holly Hedges With Flowers 4) Pink Ramanus Rose Hedging 5) English Lavender 6) Star Jasmine Deciduous Or Evergreen? 7) Conifers 8) Portugal Laurel 9) Field Maple 10) Purple Beech Hedging Types For Shade 11) Cherry Laurel 12) Box 13) Viburnum tinus 14) Dogwood References Hedges are extremely popular in the UK and can be seen in countless gardens across the country. They come with many benefits, such as improving security, attracting wildlife and beautifying your property. In this guide, we’ll be looking at the different types of hedges available as well as providing you with hedge care & trimming guidelines and some great hedge ideas for your garden. If you’re worried that you don’t have the expertise to create your own hedge, then don’t be. Thanks to modern techniques and equipment, laying a hedge in your garden is a DIY project that you should be able to accomplish in a very reasonable amount of time, depending on the size of your garden. By adding a hedge, or multiple hedges to your garden you can help to attract wildlife while also creating a uniquely beautiful appearance that’s easy to maintain and will last for years.1 Hedging Varieties The red berries of a Pyracantha plant Although there are certain hedge species that are more popular than others, there are actually a good number of hedge plants that each have their own unique properties. Below we’ll take a look at some of the different types of hedges out there, starting with hedges with thorns. Hedges With Thorns Hedge species that have thorns are very popular since they not only look great, but they also provide added protection to a property. Some of the most popular hedges with thorns are: 1) Hawthorn BOTANICAL NAME: Crataegus monogyna HARDINESS RATING: H7 MAX HEIGHT: 4-6M FLOWERS: WHITE FLOWERS IN SPRING BERRIES: RED BERRIES IN AUTUMN FOLIAGE: DECIDUOUS Hawthorn is a very popular hedging plant native to the UK. In spring it produces white, scented flowers that last through to the autumn when they are replaced by haws and the foliage drops to reveal the thorns. 2) Firethorn BOTANICAL NAME: Pyracantha HARDINESS RATING: H6 MAX HEIGHT: 2.5-4M FLOWERS: WHITE FLOWERS IN SPRING OR SUMMER BERRIES: RED OR ORANGE BERRIES IN AUTUMN FOLIAGE: EVERGREEN Firethorn is another very popular hedging plant. Its prickly branches make it ideal as an intruder deterrent, but it also looks great thanks to the year-round foliage and the mix of red, yellow and orange berries that will help to attract birds to your garden. 3) Holly BOTANICAL NAME: Ilex aquifolium HARDINESS RATING: H6 MAX HEIGHT: 10M+ FLOWERS: WHITE FLOWERS IN SPRING & SUMMER BERRIES: RED BERRIES IN AUTUMN & WINTER FOLIAGE: EVERGREEN Although holly is often associated with Christmas, it makes for an excellent hedging plant throughout the year. Holly is an obvious choice for deterring intruders since its prickly leaves are immediately apparent. That’s not the only thing that makes it an excellent choice of hedge though. Its glossy leaves provide a unique look, it’s attractive to wildlife and you can plant it pretty much anywhere and it will thrive. Hedges With Flowers If you want to add some colour to a hedge, then there are some fantastic hedge species with flowers that enable you to do this. These include – 4) Pink Ramanus Rose Hedging Beautiful rose hips in bloom during autumn BOTANICAL NAME: Rosa rugosa ‘Rubra’ HARDINESS RATING: H7 MAX HEIGHT: 1.5M FLOWERS: PINK FLOWERS IN SUMMER & AUTUMN BERRIES: RED BERRIES IN SUMMER & AUTUMN FOLIAGE: DECIDUOUS During the summer, this thorny hedge plant produces striking rose-coloured flowers that become large rose hips during the autumn, making it a striking plant throughout the year. It grows at a rate of 20-40cm per year and can prosper in most conditions, whether in sun or shade. If you prefer (depending on your colour preference) you can also get white Ramanus rose hedging. 5) English Lavender BOTANICAL NAME: Lavandula angustifolia HARDINESS RATING: H5 MAX HEIGHT: 1M FLOWERS: PURPLE FLOWERS IN SUMMER FOLIAGE: EVERGREEN Lavender is a very popular selling hedge species and is ideal for low hedging and creating pathways. The foliage of lavender is evergreen, and its distinctive purple flowers are most vibrant during the late spring/early summer. 6) Star Jasmine BOTANICAL NAME: Trachelospermum jasminoides HARDINESS RATING: H4 MAX HEIGHT: 6-8M FLOWERS: WHITE FLOWERS IN SUMMER BERRIES: GREEN BERRIES IN AUTUMN FOLIAGE: EVERGREEN Star Jasmine is another very popular plant used for hedging in the UK. It’s extremely versatile and grows year-round making it an ideal choice for a hedging plant. During the summer, it blossoms small star-shaped flowers that have a very distinctive fragrance. It grows very quickly once established. It would be ideal for bordering a lawn or as part of a feature in a garden. Deciduous Or Evergreen? One of the main things you need to decide on when choosing a hedge for your garden is whether you want it to be deciduous or evergreen… As the name would suggest, evergreen hedges grow all year round, which makes them excellent if your primary reason for having them is privacy. Because they grow year-round, evergreen hedges do require more maintenance and you’ll need to trim them at least once a year, ideally twice. Deciduous hedges are also a great choice for hedging but because they lose their leaves during the autumn/winter, they’re not ideal if privacy is your main concern. A big advantage of a deciduous hedge over an evergreen is that they allow wind to filter through much more easily. Anyone who’s lived in the UK for a while knows that high winds are not uncommon during the winter and can cause a lot of damage so having a hedge that can better withstand this is certainly a big bonus. Deciduous hedges also require less pruning and can be renovated more easily if they’re neglected for a while. A couple of great evergreen species for your garden are: 7) Conifers BOTANICAL NAME: VARIOUS HARDINESS RATING: VARIOUS MAX HEIGHT: VARIOUS Conifers are a staple of gardens throughout the UK and come in a variety of sizes and shapes, making them ideal for use in multiple settings. You can get dwarf conifers as potted plants as well as many other species that can be used for hedging, architectural features and ground cover. 8) Portugal Laurel BOTANICAL NAME: Prunus lusitanica HARDINESS RATING: H5 MAX HEIGHT: 10M+ FLOWERS: WHITE FLOWERS IN SUMMER FRUITS: DARK PURPLE FRUITS IN AUTUMN FOLIAGE: EVERGREEN Portugal Laurel is another popular evergreen choice of hedging. It has small white flowers during summer which give way to small fruits in autumn. It also has good foliage colour throughout the year. Great choices for deciduous hedge plants include: 9) Field Maple BOTANICAL NAME: Acer campestre HARDINESS RATING: H6 MAX HEIGHT: 10M+ FLOWERS: GREEN FLOWERS IN SPRING FRUITS: WINGED MAPLE FRUITS IN SUMMER & AUTUMN FOLIAGE: DECIDUOUS A compact and dense hedge species – Field Maple provides excellent coverage when planted close together. It also looks particularly impressive during the autumn as its distinctive leaves turn into beautiful shades of red and yellow. 10) Purple Beech BOTANICAL NAME: Fagus sylvatica f. purpurea HARDINESS RATING: H6 MAX HEIGHT: 10M+ FLOWERS: PURPLE FLOWERS IN SPRING FOLIAGE: DECIDUOUS With its impressive deep purple leaves, Purple Beech is an excellent choice of hedging plant if you want to achieve a distinctive look for your garden. Hedging Types For Shade If you want to plant hedges in a shaded area of your garden, then you might be worried that you’ll be limited for choice. The good news is that this simply isn’t the case – there are many species of hedge plants that thrive in the shade. These include: 11) Cherry Laurel BOTANICAL NAME: Prunus laurocerasus HARDINESS RATING: H5 MAX HEIGHT: 6-8M FLOWERS: WHITE FLOWERS IN SPRING FRUITS: CHERRY RED FRUITS THAT TURN BLACK IN AUTUMN FOLIAGE: EVERGREEN Cherry Laurel is a superb choice of hedging plant for a shaded area. It has striking polished leaves that create excellent coverage and can be planted in either sun or shade – thriving under either condition. 12) Box BOTANICAL NAME: Buxus sempervirens HARDINESS RATING: H6 MAX HEIGHT: 4-8M FLOWERS: YELLOW FLOWERS IN SPRING BERRIES: RED BERRIES IN AUTUMN The box hedge plant is perfect for use in shaded areas and the fact that it’s slow-growing (up to 10cm) per year makes it a low maintenance option while still looking good. “Box is one of my favourite hedges and used to be a reliable hedging and topiary plant in the UK,” says Horticultural Consultant Colin Skelly. “It is still sold widely but is increasingly subject to pest and diseases due to a warming climate and new pests and diseases introduced to the UK. Not least of which is Box blight, which has decimated this hedge in many gardens. “If you are going to plant it, make sure there is good airflow and mulch with wood chips to prevent splash back of fungal spores.” 13) Viburnum tinus BOTANICAL NAME: Viburnum tinus HARDINESS RATING: H4 MAX HEIGHT: 3-4M FLOWERS: CREAMY-WHITE AND PINK FLOWERS IN LATE WINTER BERRIES: RED, BLUE OR BLACK BERRIES FOLLOW FLOWERS If you’re looking for a hedging shrub that does well in the shade, then this is one of the very best. It looks great throughout the year and even sprouts an array of white flowers during winter. It also attracts an array of birds thanks to its coloured berries. 14) Dogwood BOTANICAL NAME: CORNUS HARDINESS RATING: VARIOUS MAX HEIGHT: VARIOUS If you want an unusual look for your garden, then Dogwood hedging is a great choice. Winter stem dogwood has distinctive orange stems that stand out in any setting. The fact that it grows very well in shade makes it ideal for gardens with little sunlight. References 1. Malins, E. (2019, March 18). Hedges alive with wildlife. London Wildlife Trust. Retrieved March 27, 2023, from https://www.wildlondon.org.uk/blog/edwin-malins/hedges-alive-wildlife
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TV Personality Danny Clarke On His Most Loved Trees For Small Gardens
IN THIS GUIDE How Do You Choose A Tree For A Small Garden? What Are The Best Trees For Small Spaces? 1) Japanese Apricot 2) Weeping Purple Willow 3) Cherry Amanogawa 4) Cootamundra Wattle 5) Koehne Mountain Ash 6) Eastern Redbud ‘Forest Pansy’ 7) Paperback Maple 8) Hemsley Snowball 9) Red Windsor Apple 10) Rocky Mountain Juniper ‘Blue Arrow’ 11) Cockspur Coral 12) Flamingo Willow 13) Japanese Maple ‘Elegans’ 14) Redbud ‘Ruby Falls’ 15) Blue Fan Palm 16) Mediterranean Fan Palm 17) Kousa ‘Miss Satomi’ 18) Star Magnolia ‘Jane Platt’ 19) Spindle ‘Red Cascade’ Why Plant A Tree In A Small Garden? Key Considerations If you’re looking for a tree to plant in a small garden, you probably want something that will stay small throughout its whole lifespan. Because all tree saplings start small – the problem starts when they begin to get too big, and need to be cut down or relocated to prevent damage to paths or even property. “Do not clutter small space with small items,” says Garden Designer Manoj Maldé. “Be selective and go big with pots and plants.” What’s more impressive than a tree? This guide explores the best trees for small gardens: ones that can be planted near a house, and that won’t wreak havoc when they hit full size. How Do You Choose A Tree For A Small Garden? There are a few key features to look for when deciding on a tree for an especially small garden. You’ll want something that’s easy to grow, that stays small, and, most importantly, that is safe to plant near a house. “As with anything, there are different ways of finding a tree for a small space,” shares Horticulturist Ben Raskin. “You can choose the trees that you then prune to shape (apples or pears are a classic for this) or coppice (like hazel or willow) or choose large shrubs or small trees.” It’s worth bearing in mind the eventual shape of the tree. Columnar trees and fastigiate trees are good for small spaces: they are both narrow varieties with height-to-width ratios of about 5-to-1 and 10-to-1 respectively. You’ll probably be interested in how the tree will look, especially considering you’re working with a space that may not be able to fit any others. Choosing one with bright colours or an interesting shape can be a great way to maximise the aesthetic contribution it brings to your space. Luckily nature paints a very pretty palette, and the range of trees suitable for small gardens includes many that are exceptionally colourful and beautiful. What Are The Best Trees For Small Spaces? We spoke to TV Personality and Professional Garden Designer Danny Clarke about his favourite trees for small spaces. “Some trees I would recommend for a small garden are Acers, Silver Birches, or Prunus serrula. “Silver birches and P. serrula have interest even when they haven’t got their leaves. “The silver birch has a lovely white bark and the P. serrula has a peeling bark, so you get interest and excitement all year round from those.” Here are nineteen other small flowering trees suitable for small spaces, each of which ticks all of the boxes outlined above. All trees in this list – with the exception of the cherry Amanogawa – have received the Award of Garden Merit by the RHS, which recognises the ability of a plant to thrive in the growing conditions typical to the UK. That means any tree in this list is acknowledged as being decorative, easy to grow, and resistant to disease. They are sorted by likely maximum size, with the smallest at the top. 1) Japanese Apricot BOTANICAL NAME: Prunus mume HARDINESS RATING: H5 PREFERRED ASPECT: SHELTERED; FULL SUN or partial shade MAX HEIGHT: 9M MAX WIDTH: 2.5M This tree – also called ‘beni-chidori’, an English transcription of its Japanese name – is a popular choice for gardeners thanks to its bold pink flower blossom in spring. It provides light shade making it ideal for planting under and smells lovely while blooming. This tree is great for pollinators, meaning it will attract bees, butterflies, and more to your garden. Over 10-20 years it will grow to a maximum size of 9m by 2.5m. 2) Weeping Purple Willow BOTANICAL NAME: Salix purpurea ‘Pendula’ HARDINESS RATING: H6 PREFERRED ASPECT: FULL SUN MAX HEIGHT: 4M MAX WIDTH: 2.5M “A weeping willow is way too big for my garden!” you may be thinking, but it’s OK: this variety doesn’t grow anywhere near as big as its popular counterpart. Over a period of 10-20 years, you can expect the tree to reach a height of 2.5-4m with a spread of 1.5-2.5m. The droopy canopy offers a nice difference to the more traditional tree foliage, but expect to pick catkins off of your lawn. 3) Cherry Amanogawa BOTANICAL NAME: Prunus ‘Amanogawa’ HARDINESS RATING: H6 PREFERRED ASPECT: FULL SUN MAX HEIGHT: 8M MAX WIDTH: 4M This tree boasts a lovely colour spectrum: its yellow foliage with pink blossoms in spring moves through green in the summer to a lovely orangey-red in autumn. The RHS notes that this tree lends itself particularly well to city and courtyard gardens as its form is narrow and columnar. It will grow to a height of 4-8m, and to a spread of 2.5-4m, over 20-50 years. 4) Cootamundra Wattle BOTANICAL NAME: Acacia baileyana HARDINESS RATING: H3 PREFERRED ASPECT: SHELTERED; FULL SUN MAX HEIGHT: 8M MAX WIDTH: 4M This tree – also called the golden mimosa – is an evergreen shrub that flowers vibrant yellow in late winter and early spring, providing a splash of colour to any space it inhabits. It will reach a similar size to the cherry Amanogawa blossom over a time span of 10-20 years. 5) Koehne Mountain Ash BOTANICAL NAME: Sorbus koehneana ‘C.K. Schneid’ HARDINESS RATING: H6 PREFERRED ASPECT: ANY MAX HEIGHT: 8M MAX WIDTH: 4M A tree with a quintessentially autumnal palette of brown and red foliage with white fruit. This is another tree that lends itself well to city gardens and will grow to a similar size as the cherry Amanogawa and the Cootamundra wattle over a period of 10-20 years. 6) Eastern Redbud ‘Forest Pansy’ BOTANICAL NAME: Cercis canadensis ‘Forest Pansy’ HARDINESS RATING: H5 PREFERRED ASPECT: ANY MAX HEIGHT: 8M MAX WIDTH: 8M This tree is captivating with its heart-shaped leaves that remain a deep red-purple for most of the year, presenting more autumnal shades of bronze and orange as the year progresses. The eye-catching colours, and the fact that the leaves are never green, make this a popular choice for gardeners wanting a tree that makes a design statement. Over 10-20 years this tree will grow to a maximum height and spread of 8m. 7) Paperback Maple BOTANICAL NAME: Acer griseum HARDINESS RATING: H5 PREFERRED ASPECT: SHELTERED MAX HEIGHT: 10-12M MAX WIDTH: 6M This tree originally hails from China, and its name comes from bark that peels off in papery layers. It boasts green throughout most of the year with yellow flowers in spring and red foliage in autumn. The paperback maple will grow to a maximum height of around 12m, and a spread of up to 8m. This will take 20-50 years. 8) Hemsley Snowball BOTANICAL NAME: Styrax hemsleyanus HARDINESS RATING: H5 PREFERRED ASPECT: SHELTERED; SOUTH OR EAST FACING MAX HEIGHT: 8M MAX WIDTH: 4M Another tree originally hailing from China, called “one of the loveliest of small trees” by the RHS. You can expect to see pleasant white flowers in summer. Over a span of 20-50 years, the tree will reach its maximum height and width of 8m and 4m respectively. 9) Red Windsor Apple BOTANICAL NAME: Malus domestica ‘Red Windsor’ HARDINESS RATING: H6 PREFERRED ASPECT: SHELTERED; FULL SUN MAX HEIGHT: 2.5M MAX WIDTH: 2.5M 10) Rocky Mountain Juniper ‘Blue Arrow’ BOTANICAL NAME: Juniperus scopulorum ‘Blue Arrow’ HARDINESS RATING: H6 PREFERRED ASPECT: ANY MAX HEIGHT: 2.5M MAX WIDTH: 0.5M 11) Cockspur Coral BOTANICAL NAME: Erythrina crista-galli HARDINESS RATING: H3 PREFERRED ASPECT: SHELTERED; FULL SUN MAX HEIGHT: 2.5M MAX WIDTH: 1.5M 12) Flamingo Willow BOTANICAL NAME: Salix integra ‘Hakuro-nishiki’ HARDINESS RATING: H5 PREFERRED ASPECT: FULL SUN MAX HEIGHT: 2.5M MAX WIDTH: 2M 13) Japanese Maple ‘Elegans’ BOTANICAL NAME: Acer palmatum ‘Elegans’ HARDINESS RATING: H6 PREFERRED ASPECT: SHELTERED MAX HEIGHT: 2.5M MAX WIDTH: 2.5M 14) Redbud ‘Ruby Falls’ BOTANICAL NAME: Cercis canadensis ‘Ruby Falls’ HARDINESS RATING: H5 PREFERRED ASPECT: FULL SUN MAX HEIGHT: 2.5M MAX WIDTH: 2.5M 15) Blue Fan Palm BOTANICAL NAME: Brahea armata HARDINESS RATING: H1C PREFERRED ASPECT: SHELTERED; FULL SUN MAX HEIGHT: 12M MAX WIDTH: 4-6M 16) Mediterranean Fan Palm BOTANICAL NAME: Chamaerops humilis HARDINESS RATING: H4 PREFERRED ASPECT: SHELTERED; PART SHADE MAX HEIGHT: 2.5M MAX WIDTH: 1.5M 17) Kousa ‘Miss Satomi’ BOTANICAL NAME: Cornus kousa ‘Miss Satomi’ HARDINESS RATING: H6 PREFERRED ASPECT: ANY MAX HEIGHT: 4M MAX WIDTH: 4M 18) Star Magnolia ‘Jane Platt’ BOTANICAL NAME: Magnolia stellata ‘Jane Platt’ HARDINESS RATING: H6 PREFERRED ASPECT: SHELTERED MAX HEIGHT: 2.5M MAX WIDTH: 3M 19) Spindle ‘Red Cascade’ BOTANICAL NAME: Euonymus europaeus ‘Red Cascade’ HARDINESS RATING: H6 PREFERRED ASPECT: ANY MAX HEIGHT: 4M MAX WIDTH: 2.5M Why Plant A Tree In A Small Garden? “No garden is too small for a tree”, says the Royal Horticultural Society. So while you may feel like your garden is too small for a tree, the likelihood is that there will be something suitable and that you won’t have to go without. Plants and bushes are great, but there’s nothing quite like the majesty of a tree to bring an outdoor space to life. Whether you go for one that bears fruit or something purely ornamental, a tree will contribute something quite special to your garden. They are also great for providing shade and privacy – shade can be useful when planning seating areas and similar, or for growing plants that do not thrive in full sunlight. Key Considerations When planting a sapling, leave enough space around it for the fully grown tree. This ensures that it won’t cause any problems as it grows. You should double-check that the full size of the tree – including canopy, trunk, and roots – won’t interfere with nearby property or structures. A good guideline is to plant the tree away from any buildings, one and a half times further away than its expected maximum height (so if your tree’s maximum height is 8m, plant it 12m away). It’s worth following this piece of advice even when that seems like a lot of extra space: though the width of the tree may fit comfortably into the space around it, the roots are prone to spread way beyond the confines of the canopy. Having to dig up and relocate a tree that has begun to establish itself is a big job! Despite what you might think initially, a small garden doesn’t mean that you can’t enjoy the majestic presence of a tree. There are many trees that lend themselves well to small spaces, and these span a range of shapes, sizes, colours, and histories. The nineteen trees in our list are just a small sample of the trees available for a garden where space is at a premium. Happy planting!
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Cats Pooping In Your Garden? Try These 12 Gardener-Approved Plants To Keep Them Away
IN THIS GUIDE Keeping Cats Out Which Plants Keep Cats Out? 1) Lavender 2) Rosemary 3) Rue 4) Curry Herb Plant 5) Pennyroyal 6) Scaredy Cat Plant 7) Any Plant With Thorns 8) Catnip 9) Citronella 10) Geraniums 11) Lemon Thyme 12) Oregano Other Methods To Deter Cats What If A Cat Already Pooped In My Garden? Beware Freshly Turned Soil References “How do you stop cats pooping in your garden?” It’s a question that haunts gardeners across the country, but thankfully there are some simple steps you can take to stop these feline visitors leaving unwanted contributions in your garden. This guide focuses on plants that provide a natural and inoffensive way of keeping cats out of your garden, so that you can enjoy the peace of mind of not having to clean up their mess, without causing them any long term discomfort or distress. Keeping Cats Out Unfortunately, while cats are cute, their excrement can have a real negative impact on your garden. Contaminated soil is a problem for plants and gardeners, so it’s best to prevent it from happening in the first place. Cats are also known to dig soil to prepare an area to be used as a toilet, which can be detrimental to plants or crops being grown there. Rather than inspecting flower beds every day and removing unwanted manure donations by hand, many gardeners make the decision to keep cats at bay by other means. Which Plants Keep Cats Out? The following twelve plants are renowned for their ability to keep cats away. They are best situated at entry points to your garden or mixed into the borders of flower beds. Cats will be less inclined to cross them or walk past them due to the smell or texture. They’ll be wary of jumping over, too: especially if they can’t see past the plant. 1) Lavender We’ve put this at the top of the list because the smell that cats find so unpleasant is what makes the plant so appealing for humans, making this a very popular cat deterrent. Lavender grows all year round and will provide a nice purple hue to your flower beds. The more creative chefs amongst you may be able to incorporate it into your culinary efforts as well. 2) Rosemary Following on from the pleasant smell of lavender, rosemary is another popular cat deterrent with a human appeal. It shares the same benefits as lavender – evergreen and attractive – but can be used more easily in your cooking. 3) Rue An ornamental herb that flowers with bold yellow colouring. It is quite short-lived and has a shrubby habit. The plant is said to have an offensive smell and taste for cats, so they’re unlikely to tolerate being in its presence for long! 4) Curry Herb Plant “Cats don’t like curry”, one website accurately observes in their description of this herb. Cats and other animals don’t like the smell that’s released when they brush past this plant, so they’ll take steps to avoid it. 5) Pennyroyal A member of the mint family that emits a smell similar to peppermint when crushed up or brushed past. As with the other strongly scented plants in this list, cats aren’t a fan of the smell and would rather avoid it entirely. 6) Scaredy Cat Plant A native of Africa and India, the jury is out on whether this plant works.1 If you take a chance with this plant, make sure you don’t pay over the odds from a seller trying to leverage its name and reputation. “Also, remember that it is not hardy, so will need to be brought under cover over winter,” shares Master Horticulturist Peter Lickorish. 7) Any Plant With Thorns Spiky thorns are a less subtle deterrent than smells and scents, and no cat is going to risk skewering itself to go to the toilet. If you opt for the thorny approach you have lots of options: rose bushes will give you pretty flowers if you tend them carefully while still keeping cats at bay, whereas dense shrubs like blackberry or even holly will create formidable barriers. Shrubs are especially effective as border defences: if a cat comes up against a thick wall of spiky holly on their way into your garden, it’s likely that they’ll turn around and look elsewhere instead. 8) Catnip If you want to come at things from another angle, you can plant catnip in one part of your garden to lure cats away from other areas. This plant – also known as catswort, catwort, and catmint – gives cats a natural high that most can’t resist. The dried form is popular at pet shops and is used in all sorts of cat toys, but not many people know that you can grow your own at home. If cats smell this they’ll almost certainly stop to investigate, so consider planting a little bit in a tucked away area of your garden to tempt the cats away from your prized beds. 9) Citronella “Cats are not fans of citrus scents, so this Pelargonium can deter cats from jumping into pots or small borders, but this plant is not hardy,” says Peter. “For plants to grow year-round outdoors with a strong citrus fragrance over winter, your options are sadly limited.” 10) Geraniums “Another plant using fragrance as a defence from cats, Geraniums cover the soil, further reducing the likelihood of it being used as a toilet,” Peter says. 11) Lemon Thyme “This is a compact plant, which packs a lemony punch,” explains Peter. “Suited to hot, dry conditions, it could be planted in fine gravel which cats consider a litter tray.” 12) Oregano “Chemically, oregano has similar components to the Plectranthus mentioned earlier, so another one cats are not likely to be drawn to,” says Peter. “This is maybe one for a mix of cat-deterrent plants, rather than being relied upon on its own.” Other Methods To Deter Cats Consider this section a bonus: here we’ll detail a few other ways to keep cats away from your flower beds. Laying mulch on top of your soil is an effective defence because it looks less appealing as a makeshift litter tray than fresh soil. “Choose your mulch carefully, as bark chippings may attract cats, whereas cats do not generally like pine needles,” saya Peter. “Pine needles are a useful mulch for acidifying soil if this is beneficial.” Cats aren’t fans of other surfaces like chicken wire or specially made spike mats, either: laying these down is another way to encourage them to go elsewhere. And don’t worry, although spike mats don’t sound particularly nice, they’re designed to not hurt cats. Tapping back into their sense of smell, you can use other scents to keep cats away. One fearsome example is lion dung, which tricks cats into thinking a bigger cat has already claimed this patch. No neighbourhood moggy will dare step foot in a lion’s den If you’re less interested in psychological warfare, things like citrus peelings, coffee grounds or even vinegar will put cats off. You can scatter these things, or use sprays that contain their scent. Remember that you’ll need to replenish these smells when you notice cats coming back into the garden, as they’ll fade over time. This is more likely after strong rainfall. What If A Cat Already Pooped In My Garden? If a cat has left a present before you’ve had the chance to put up your plant-based defences, there are a few steps you can take to safely remove it. You’ll need thick gloves to keep your hands clean, a digging tool, and a sealable plastic bag. Scoop the poop into the bag along with a couple of inches of soil beneath it to make sure you’ve got the lot, then tie a knot in the bag and throw it in the bin. (Note: it’s not safe to compost cat droppings, so you’ll want to throw it in your main bin). Disinfect the gloves and the digging tool before using either again, just to make sure they’re not contaminated. Beware Freshly Turned Soil “Freshly turned over soil seems to be a lure for the cats in my neighbourhood, so cultivating soil and planting immediately afterwards might be a good idea,” adds Peter. “Consider using these plants and tricks to keep bird feeders a little safer from felines, but remember that hanging them near dense cover could give cats space to hide and stalk prey.” By planting the right things in the right places, you can discourage cats from visiting your garden. References 1. Coleus caninus. (n.d.). Kew Royal Botanic Gardens. Retrieved March 14, 2023, from https://powo.science.kew.org/taxon/urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:445934-1
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