Growing
You Can't Fail To Notice Petunias - Here’s How To Grow Them And Some Cultivars To Try
IN THIS GUIDE Overview Why Grow Petunias? Petunia Varieties How To Grow Petunias Petunia Care Common Problems Petunias are one of those plants that you can’t fail to notice everywhere in the UK. These long-flowering beauties add vibrant bursts of colour throughout our gardens with the compact varieties being perfect for borders and beds, while the trailing types are a wonderful addition to hanging baskets. Petunias come in a wide range of stunning colours, with choices between single and double blooms. Many varieties even have their own unique fragrances. Overview Botanical Name Petunia Plant Type Annual / Perennial (these plants are naturally perennial but commonly grown as annuals in the UK) Native Area South America Hardiness Rating H2 Foliage Simple leaves Flowers Various colours, trumpet-shaped flowers When To Sow April, May, June Flowering Months June, July, August, September, October When To Prune July, August, September With so many options available, it’s easy to see why these pretty perennials are so well-loved, and why they make a choice for any garden whatever its size or style. Why Grow Petunias? Why are we so fond of petunias and their trumpet-shaped flowers? Well, here are a few reasons I can think of: Petunias establish themselves quickly and easily. Caring for them is actually surprisingly easy, making them ideal for beginner and experienced gardeners alike. They are prolific flowerers, producing impressive amounts of blooms from June to October. They are low maintenance, making them really easy to care for. Petunias are well suited to pots, planters and containers. They won’t look out of place on an exterior windowsill, a patio container or hanging from a decking rail planter. With so many colours, sizes and shapes to choose from, it is easy to find the perfect petunias for any garden. Because of their easy-to-grow nature, they are a great option if you are hoping to introduce children to gardening. “Petunias are popular for a reason,” says Master Horticulturist Colin Skelly. “They flower for months on end and provide a burst of vibrant colour with relatively easy maintenance. “They are perfect for pots and containers, which makes them ideal for beginners or children but also a quick win for the time-pressed or casual summer gardener.” Petunia Varieties There are hundreds of cultivars of petunias to choose from, so it can be hard to know where to start. Here are five of my personal favourites: P. ‘Priscilla’ This double-flowering variety of petunia is wonderfully fragrant and has beautifully unique, large and heavily veined lilac blooms. This pretty, purple plant has a long trailing habit, growing to up to 80cm in length, making it a superb choice for hanging baskets. P. ‘Phantom’ This sleek, sophisticated and exceptionally eye-catching variety sport velvety black petals that, over time, develop star-like yellow patterns. ‘Phantom’ has a mounding, upright growth habit and is ideal for flower boxes which are sure to turn heads. P. ‘Red Bingo’ This plucky little petunia produces bright red medium-sized blooms that add interest to your garden throughout the summer months. Thanks to their compact, upright growth habit they are perfect for pots that can be placed on patios and decking P. ‘Black Satin’ This petunia produces gorgeous deep purplish-black trumpets that bloom from late spring to late summer. With their satin sheen and compact nature, they are ideal bedding plants and will really help to make the other colours in your garden pop. P. ‘Star’ With blooms in shades of pink, red and purple, P. ‘Star’ is one of the most popular bi-coloured varieties. Their whimsical style makes the perfect choice for gardeners who want to inject a bit of fun and gaiety into their garden. Fresh and flamboyant, they are well suited to both formal and informal style gardens. How To Grow Petunias Including petunias in your garden can offer long-term colour to your garden’s landscape over the summer months. Cultivation Petunias adore sunshine, although they will tolerate light shade, and will perform best in moist, fertile, well-drained soil. To prepare the soil, you will want to dig in lots of organic matter such as compost or well-rotted manure to make sure you really pack in the moisture. Growing From Seed Different varieties of petunias perform differently when sown from seeds so, if you want to plant from seed, it’s important to research which varieties will reward you the most. Annual and bedding petunia seeds should be sown in spring. When the plants seem to be comfortable outside and after the risk of frost has passed, you can then plant them in your chosen spot in your garden, containers, hanging baskets or window boxes. Planting Out The best time to plant petunias is between May and June when the risk of frost has well and truly passed. You will want to use freshly prepared soil or balancing compost when planting petunias. If you are planting in a basket or pot, we recommend planting three or four plugs per 30cm radius. Dig a decent-sized hole which will easily allow for the rootball of the plant. Next, add a layer of organic matter or compost to the base of the hole and fork it in thoroughly. You can then take the root ball and place it in the hole, making sure to adjust the depth so that it is at the same level that it was at in its original pot, taking care to make sure the roots are level with the soil surface. Mix in more compost or organic matter and gently fill in the hole. Next, we advise applying a layer of general granular feed and then water well – you may also wish to apply a 5cm layer of well-rotted garden compost, which will help you to lock in the moisture and help prevent the growth of weeds. To begin with water every 3-5 days, avoiding the foliage which can be easily damaged. Instead, water at the base close to the soil. Take care to ensure that the pots have good drainage to prevent waterlogging and root rot. You can check the moisture level of the soil before watering to be sure. If you are lucky to have a greenhouse, you can place the little petunias in spring, allowing them to grow and then put them outside in June. This will encourage earlier and longer flowering throughout summer. Petunia Care Sunshine is vital when it comes to growing healthy petunias. Pick a sunny little spot in your garden, and your petunias will produce an abundance of glorious, beautiful blooms for you and your family to enjoy all throughout the summer months. Watering Petunias also require moist soil so, during dry spells, you will want to water regularly. For petunias planted in containers watering may be needed on a daily basis to help them to thrive, but do take care not to overwater as this can result in the plants becoming leggy with far fewer flowers. Spreading ground cover varieties are very particular about water and will require weekly watering to keep them healthy. Feeding Throughout the summer, we highly recommend feeding your petunias with liquid plant food. This will encourage maximum production of flowers that will bloom for a much longer period. Common Problems They may look dainty, but petunias are tough cookies and can withstand a fair bit of neglect and poor weather conditions. But, as with all plants, there are a number of pests and diseases that can cause all kinds of damage. We’ve put together a list of the most common pests and diseases and how you can tackle them to keep your petunias happy and healthy. Caterpillars Humans may adore petunias, but caterpillars may well be their biggest fans. These irritating creepy crawlies love to dine out on foliage and buds and, if left unchecked, can cause some fairly significant damage. If you can face it, the best way to get rid of these beastly mini beasts is to pick them off by hand daily; you can then either release them into the wild, far from your garden or if absolutely necessary, drown them in a bucket. If handpicking caterpillars sounds like too much of an ordeal, then weekly sprays of Bacillus thuringiensis will quickly and efficiently kill them off. Mites These microscopic monsters suck the juices out of the very cells of your petunias, this leads to the discolouration and hardening of flowers and can cause leaves to curl and cup. Mites are cousins of spiders, and this means they leave telltale webs behind them as they feed. If you notice these little trails, then treat your petunias with a spray of neem oil once a week until all signs of the mites have disappeared. Thrips Thrips can be difficult to see, but they have a similar appearance to ants. These nasty little things can carry viruses that are harmful to petunias and cause flowers to develop white spots and leaves to appear papery and weak. Thankfully, as with mites, neem oil can be employed to rid your plants of these pesky perpetrators. Powdery Mildew One of the most common reasons for powdery mildew to appear is plants being planted too close together. Avoiding planting too tightly at the outset to help prevent mildew from striking. If you do find yourself with a powdery mildew issue then, once again, neem oil applied weekly will help your petunias to become fighting fit once again. Root, Stem & Crown Rot Petunias planted in areas with poor drainage will frequently fall victim to root, stem and crown rot. With regular watering, leaves will wilt and stems will become fragile. Sadly, in most cases, the petunia won’t be able to be saved, and it may be better to pull them out and start again. You can try and correct the drainage problem but, if you see the damage, it probably means the problem is too far gone to be salvaged. Botrytis Blight This nasty little disease can be identified by post and discolouration on flowers and leaves, and will eventually produce grey-brown spores. This is another disease that thrives in wet bedding conditions so the best thing you can do is quit watering for a while. You should then prune the damaged areas of the plant and clear away any fallen debris. You can dry out the bed to prevent further infestation. Petunias are such rewarding plants, and their endless elegance and bountiful blooms have made them one of the most popular plants on the planet.
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Master Horticulturist Swears By These 25 Flowers For Extraordinary Planters
IN THIS GUIDE 1) Busy Lizzie 2) Clematis 3) Japanese Pieris 4) Siberian Dogwood 5) Japanese Skimmia 6) Rosemary 7) Thyme 8) Sage 9) Emerald Gaiety 10) Oregano 11) Mint 12) Butterfly Bush 13) Hebe 14) African Lilies 15) Wax Begonia 16) Hydrangea 17) Roses 18) Viola 19) Coral Bells 20) Bellflower 21) Strawberries 22) Petunia 23) Pansy 24) African Daisies 25) Million Bells What do you want from a planter? When we’re planning ours, we look for bold and bright colours, appealing shapes, and consistent, predictable flowering. The visual interest provided by a planter can make or break an outdoor space, so it’s essential to choose the right plants for the job. In this guide, I’ll run through 25 of the best plants for containers in UK gardens. I’ll give you a bit of information about what each plant looks like, how you can expect it to behave, and how to take the best care of it. After reading, you should be confident enough to design your very first planters or suitably inspired to rejuvenate your existing ones. Let’s get cracking. 1) Busy Lizzie BOTANICAL NAME: Impatiens wallerina PLANT TYPE: ANNUAL / BIENNIAL HARDINESS RATING: H1C RECOMMENDED VARIETIES: ‘SUPER ELFIN’ SERIES PREFERRED ASPECT: FULL / PART SHADE You probably know this plant as Busy Lizzy, and while its bold pink flowers are immediately recognisable, you can expect to see a spectrum of exciting colours in its palette. This plant will reach its maximum spread of about 50cm squared in 1-2 years, making it an excellent choice for planters both in terms of size and timeframe. It’s evergreen, but will only flower in late spring and summer. For best results grow in full or partial shade, facing anywhere but north. If you water regularly and allow the soil to drain, Buzy Lizzies will reward you with bright and beautiful blooms. 2) Clematis PLANT TYPE: CLIMBER HARDINESS RATING: VARIES RECOMMENDED VARIETIES: ‘CEZANNE’, ‘COUNTESS OF WESSEX’, ‘BURMA STAR’ PREFERRED ASPECT: VARIES There are a lot of clematis varieties, but in recent years, compact cultivars have been developed that are ideal for planters. As a starting point, I’d recommend C. ‘Countess of Wessex’, ‘Cezanne’ or ‘Burma Star’. C. ‘Cezanne’ Because we’ve given so many potential Clematis cultivars, we won’t give full growing and care tips for each. What we will say is that this flower is renowned for being generally easy to grow and take care of and that with proper research, it’s possible to choose Clematis varieties that, between them, will flower year-round. 3) Japanese Pieris BOTANICAL NAME: Pieris japonica PLANT TYPE: SHRUB HARDINESS RATING: H5 RECOMMENDED VARIETIES: BLUSH PREFERRED ASPECT: FULL SUN / PART SHADE There are a few varieties of Pieris japonica to choose from, but all feature incredible bursts of white flowers that will cascade over planter edges. They’re a great way to decorate container boundaries and they can add a new colour to the lower part of your design. This plant likes full sun or partial shade, so take care if you’re incorporating it into a planter with shade-loving friends. With a hardiness rating of H5, this plant will survive even the harshest British winter. It likes well-drained soil, an east or west-facing aspect, and shelter from the wind. 4) Siberian Dogwood BOTANICAL NAME: Cornus alba PLANT TYPE: SHRUB HARDINESS RATING: H7 RECOMMENDED VARIETIES: ‘ELEGANTISSIMA’ PREFERRED ASPECT: FULL SUN / PART SHADE You may see this striking little guy, called red-barked Dogwood, which is a not-particularly-cryptic nod to its incredible red bark. If you’re looking for something to catch the eye and throw in a splash of bold, captivating colour, we can’t think of many things better than a dogwood shrub. Red will play off of pretty much any other colour in your container’s palette, either as a small cluster or a big backdrop. This plant is incredibly hardy, holding its own down to at least -20°C. It likes full sun or partial shade and can tolerate any aspect. 5) Japanese Skimmia BOTANICAL NAME: Skimmia japonica PLANT TYPE: SHRUB HARDINESS RATING: H5 PREFERRED ASPECT: FULL / PART SHADE This Japonica variety is another of our red favourites. We’ve included it in our list because it holds colour over summer, autumn, and winter, making it a great visual offset to plants that flower only in spring. Whereas Pieris japonica has white flowers, Skimmia is unashamedly red. Clusters of bright berries catch the eye, and the plant gives forth a gentle floral fragrance. Overall, this is a great choice for a planter. It’ll appreciate full or partial shade and isn’t fussy when it comes to aspect. It’ll take a few years to hit full size, and if left to grow, that’ll be somewhere around 1.5 x 2.5 metres. Of course, if you’re growing Skimmia in a container, you’ll probably trim it back to keep things a bit more manageable. 6) Rosemary BOTANICAL NAME: Salvia rosmarinus PLANT TYPE: HERB HARDINESS RATING: H4 RECOMMENDED VARIETIES: ‘HAIFA’ PREFERRED ASPECT: FULL SUN This herb works a treat with chicken and lamb and is commonplace in warming winter dishes like soups and stews. For best results, grow rosemary from a ready-grown plant. Trying to grow from seed is tricky, and they’re so readily available that you may as well skip the hassle. Ensure well-drained soil and a lot of sun. Rosemary doesn’t do well when its roots are allowed to get soggy. Over summer, you’ll want to water often and, during winter, you’ll want to raise your container to improve drainage. If you’re expecting frost, consider covering the soil around your rosemary with horticultural fleece to protect it. To ensure optimal growth, cut it back after the floral blooms start to die off. 7) Thyme BOTANICAL NAME: Thymus vulgaris PLANT TYPE: HERB HARDINESS RATING: H5 RECOMMENDED VARIETIES: ‘AUREUS’ PREFERRED ASPECT: FULL SUN If you’re cooking lamb or anything involving winter vegetables, a sprig of thyme will work wonders. Thyme is a bit less fussy than rosemary and can be more readily grown from seed. You’ll want to propagate them first, then move to individual pots until they’re big enough to introduce to your planter. Well-drained soil and a lot of sun is good for thyme too, just ensure they don’t get burned in hot summer sunlight. Try to keep your thyme out of the rain as much as possible during winter, as this is the biggest threat to its continued survival. 8) Sage BOTANICAL NAME: Salvia officinalis PLANT TYPE: HERB HARDINESS RATING: H5 RECOMMENDED VARIETIES: ‘Purpurascens’ PREFERRED ASPECT: FULL SUN / PART SHADE This herb brings out the best in fatty meats like beef, pork, and duck. Its unmistakable flavour is a fine addition to any chef’s arsenal. You can grow sage from seed, cutting, or pre-bought plant. The difficulty involved in growing it follows the same order. Water regularly, but avoid over-watering. Trim back growth to keep it neat, tidy, and flowering. Sage is prone to a few pests, so browse the leaves every once in a while and make sure to pick off any unwelcome visitors. 9) Emerald Gaiety BOTANICAL NAME: Euonymus fortunei PLANT TYPE: SHRUB HARDINESS RATING: H5 RECOMMENDED VARIETIES: ‘EMERALD N GOLD’ PREFERRED ASPECT: ANY This hardy and non-fussy evergreen is a fine addition to any planter. Partly because it requires minimal effort to establish and look after, and partly because the yellow and green it contributes visually will make themselves at home in almost any colour palette. The band of yellow skirting each leaf is a subtle yet striking visual element, and one that will work nicely with other plants boasting white. Pieris japonica comes to mind, but there are many others. That’s one of the things we love about planter designs: choosing plants that are not only lovely by themselves, but which combine visually with those around them. Get this mixture right, and your planters will be the envy of everyone who lays eyes upon them. 10) Oregano BOTANICAL NAME: Origanum vulgare PLANT TYPE: HERB HARDINESS RATING: H6 RECOMMENDED VARIETIES: ‘GREEK’ PREFERRED ASPECT: FULL SUN / PART SHADE This herb is right at home in Italian cuisine and we love it in any recipe featuring tomatoes. It’s easy to grow from seed; start between February and May, and let propagate. Then move outdoors when plants are strong enough to hold their own against the elements. Care instructions are the same as the herbs above: you want to water regularly, but not so much that you dampen the roots. Take extra care not to over-water during winter – raising your planter onto feet helps with this. Oregano is prone to aphids. Be vigilant, and crush any you find with your fingers. Harsh but effective. 11) Mint BOTANICAL NAME: Mentha PLANT TYPE: HERB HARDINESS RATING: H7 RECOMMENDED VARIETIES: ‘SPEARMINT’, ‘PEPPERMINT’ PREFERRED ASPECT: FULL SUN / PART SHADE This summery flavour goes well with everything from courgettes to strawberries to Pimms. We definitely recommend the latter – a sprig of homegrown mint in a glass of Pimms is a surefire way to impress guests. You’ll find mint easiest to grow from pre-bought plants, and it works best in planters because it spreads voraciously in the ground. Water regularly, and make sure to trim back after flowering. This will give you the best chance of healthy growth next season. 12) Butterfly Bush BOTANICAL NAME: Buddleja PLANT TYPE: SHRUB HARDINESS RATING: VARIES RECOMMENDED VARIETIES: ‘LOCHINCH’, ‘BUZZ’ PREFERRED ASPECT: VARIES 13) Hebe PLANT TYPE: SHRUB HARDINESS RATING: VARIES RECOMMENDED VARIETIES: ‘SILVER QUEEN’, ‘PINK ELEPHANT’ PREFERRED ASPECT: VARIES 14) African Lilies BOTANICAL NAME: Agapanthus PLANT TYPE: PERENNIAL HARDINESS RATING: MOSTLY H5 RECOMMENDED VARIETIES: ‘LOCH HOPE’, ‘ENIGMA’, ‘PURPLE CLOUD’ PREFERRED ASPECT: FULL SUN 15) Wax Begonia BOTANICAL NAME: Begonia PLANT TYPE: PERENNIAL HARDINESS RATING: H1C RECOMMENDED VARIETIES: ‘GLOWING EMBERS’, ‘ILLUMINATION’ PREFERRED ASPECT: FULL / PART SHADE 16) Hydrangea PLANT TYPE: SHRUB HARDINESS RATING: H5 RECOMMENDED VARIETIES: ‘L.A. DREAMIN’ PREFERRED ASPECT: FULL SUN / PART SHADE 17) Roses BOTANICAL NAME: ROSA PLANT TYPE: SHRUB HARDINESS RATING: VARIES RECOMMENDED VARIETIES: ‘GERTRUDE JEKYLL’ PREFERRED ASPECT: FULL SUN 18) Viola PLANT TYPE: PERENNIAL HARDINESS RATING: H7 RECOMMENDED VARIETIES: ‘ALBA’ PREFERRED ASPECT: FULL SUN / PART SHADE 19) Coral Bells BOTANICAL NAME: HEUCHERA PLANT TYPE: PERENNIAL HARDINESS RATING: H6 RECOMMENDED VARIETIES: ‘OBSIDIAN’, ‘WALNUT’, ‘GREEN SPICE’ PREFERRED ASPECT: PART SHADE 20) Bellflower BOTANICAL NAME: Campanula PLANT TYPE: PERENNIAL HARDINESS RATING: H7 RECOMMENDED VARIETIES: ‘BRANTWOOD’ PREFERRED ASPECT: FULL SUN / PART SHADE 21) Strawberries BOTANICAL NAME: Fragaria PLANT TYPE: FRUIT HARDINESS RATING: H6 RECOMMENDED VARIETIES: ‘RHAPSODY’, ‘PEGASUS’ PREFERRED ASPECT: FULL SUN 22) Petunia PLANT TYPE: ANNUAL HARDINESS RATING: H2 RECOMMENDED VARIETIES: ‘SURFINIA’ PREFERRED ASPECT: FULL SUN 23) Pansy BOTANICAL NAME: Viola tricolor var. hortensis PLANT TYPE: PERENNIAL (OFTEN GROWN AS ANNUAL) HARDINESS RATING: H7 RECOMMENDED VARIETIES: ‘HONEY BEE F1’, ‘TRUE BLUE’ PREFERRED ASPECT: FULL SUN / PART SHADE 24) African Daisies BOTANICAL NAME: Osteospermum PLANT TYPE: PERENNIAL (OFTEN GROWN AS ANNUAL) HARDINESS RATING: H3 RECOMMENDED VARIETIES: ‘LADY LEITRIM’ PREFERRED ASPECT: FULL SUN 25) Million Bells BOTANICAL NAME: Calibrachoa PLANT TYPE: ANNUAL BEDDING HARDINESS RATING: H2 RECOMMENDED VARIETIES: ‘MILLION BELLS’ SERIES PREFERRED ASPECT: FULL SUN
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17 Popular Dwarf Evergreen Trees With Garden Designer Jilayne Rickards
IN THIS GUIDE Why We Love Dwarf Evergreen Trees 1) Dwarf Scots Pine ‘Watereri’ 2) Dwarf Pencil Point Juniper 3) Hinoki Cypress 4) Colorado Spruce ‘Hoopsii’ 5) Dwarf Black Pine 6) Upright Japanese Plum Yew 7) Dwarf Balsam Fir 8) Glaucous Dwarf Siberian Pine 9) Eastern Hemlock ‘Minuta’ 10) Korean Fir ‘Kohout’s Ice Breaker’ 11) Japanese Cedar ‘Tilford Gold’ 12) Dwarf Scots Pine ‘Gold Coin’ 13) Austrian Pine ‘Hornibrookiana’ 14) Austrian Pine ‘Moseri’ 15) Rocky Mountain Juniper ‘Blue Arrow’ 16) Asian Bell Tree 17) Montery Cypress Choose Dwarf Evergreens For Everlasting Impact Evergreen trees have so much to offer; they provide texture and structure, gorgeous foliage colour, as well as flowers and berries. This type of tree can supply interest to our gardens all year round. Sadly, not all of us are blessed with unlimited space in our gardens – especially those of us living in more urban settings – and it often feels like we’re forced to miss out on the opportunity to include beautiful evergreens in our compact spaces. Thankfully, there are actually lots of lovely dwarf evergreen trees that will be right at home in any garden, no matter its size or style. “Small evergreen trees are great at providing structure in the garden, especially during the winter months,” shares RHS Master Horticulturist Colin Skelly. “They are also beneficial for garden biodiversity as they provide habitat and shelter year-round and many provide berries.” Why We Love Dwarf Evergreen Trees There are so many benefits of planting dwarf, evergreen trees far beyond their space-saving qualities. “No matter which garden, I always have 2-3 trees going into my designs,” shares Garden Designer Jilayne Rickards. “They are such wonderful plants and they absorb so much toxicity from the air and they give us shade.” Here are our top reasons for loving these little beauties – Dwarf evergreens are predominantly low maintenance. Thanks to their small stature, they require very little pruning, so not only do they save space, but they also save time. With year-round foliage, they provide a safe habitat for birds and other wildlife during winter. As many dwarf evergreens also produce berries, they also provide food for your feathered friends. Dwarf evergreens are perfect for privacy screens, especially for people with modest-sized gardens and those in urban areas. They are excellent at blocking out unsightly views without dominating your entire garden. These little trees are easy to plant: you don’t have to fight with long branches or oversized root balls, so they are quick and easy to place in your garden. Their continuous colour keeps your garden vibrant and popping throughout the entire calendar. Now that we’ve got your heart set on dwarf, evergreen trees, you are probably wondering how on earth you are going to find the right ones for your garden. Well, we have put together a list of our favourites to help you find exactly what you’re looking for. Let’s get started! 1) Dwarf Scots Pine ‘Watereri’ BOTANICAL NAME: Pinus sylvestris ‘Watereri’ HARDINESS RATING: H7 MAX HEIGHT: 3-6 METRES MAX SPREAD: 5 METRES This cute little, slow-growing evergreen has a compact, globe habit, reaching a maximum height of 3-6m. While it can grow up to 5m in width, because of its slow-growing nature, it’s super easy to prune and maintain at the size of your choosing. Being so easy to shape, this dwarf evergreen is ideal for a zen Japanese themed garden but will compliment many other formal and informal styles. With blue-green needles on cinnamon coloured branches, this is a genuinely handsome specimen. The Dwarf Scots Pine also provides added interest by producing clusters of sweet mini cones and red-brown flowers. This little tree will tolerate most soils but prefers well-drained chalk, loam or sand. They are also extremely tolerant of wind, making them an excellent option for coastal regions as well as roof terraces. 2) Dwarf Pencil Point Juniper BOTANICAL NAME: Juniperus communis HARDINESS RATING: H7 MAX HEIGHT: 2 METRES MAX SPREAD: 0.3 METRES This uniquely shaped evergreen is dense, slow-growing and naturally columnar, and while it can reach a height of almost 2m, it grows no wider than just 0.3m. And when we say “slow-growing”, we mean slow-growing: this little guy can take up to 50 years to reach its full stature. Dwarf pencil point junipers are great for adding architectural interest to your garden and can also be popped in containers to decorate patios and decking. Sporting blue-green needles, female plants may also produce blue coloured berries in autumn as well. This slender tree loves full sun and well-drained soil. It’s worth mentioning however that the foliage can cause skin irritation, so we do recommend wearing gloves when pruning. 3) Hinoki Cypress BOTANICAL NAME: Chamaecyparis obtusa ‘Nana Gracilis’ HARDINESS RATING: H7 MAX HEIGHT: 2-2.5 METRES MAX SPREAD: 1.5 METRES RHS AWARD OF GARDEN MERIT This charming, mini, soft-needled evergreen tends to grow in a pyramidal form. Its glossy, dark green foliage grows in fan-shaped sprays, giving it an almost feathery appearance. This tree is an excellent choice if you want to add an extra layer of texture to your garden. The hinoki cypress is another super-slow grower, also taking up to 50 years to reach its full height of 2.5m and a spread of 1.5m. Given its slow pace attitude to life, this tree is extremely low maintenance and will only require a little pruning once or twice a year at most. This dwarf evergreen will do its best in well-drained, slightly acidic soil, although it will tolerate chalk. This sun-loving specimen can be planted in a fully exposed area, not requiring shelter to thrive. 4) Colorado Spruce ‘Hoopsii’ BOTANICAL NAME: Picea pungens ‘Hoopsii’ HARDINESS RATING: H7 MAX HEIGHT: 4 METRES MAX SPREAD: 1.5 METRES RHS AWARD OF GARDEN MERIT If you want to add a splash of vibrant colour to your garden, then the Colorado spruce is for you. This plucky little plant showcases chunky, vivid, silver-blue needles, which are particularly splendid when the tree is still young. Growing into a dense, neat, conical shape, this evergreen is highly ornamental and was awarded the RHS Award of Garden Merit. It also produces lovely, leathery-scaled cones which appear at the end of the shoots. When grown in well-drained, moist, acidic soil in a sheltered area, the happy ‘Hoopsii’ will reach a maximum height of 4m and a width of 1.5m. 5) Dwarf Black Pine BOTANICAL NAME: Pinus nigra ‘Nana’ HARDINESS RATING: H7 MAX HEIGHT: 1.2 METRES MAX SPREAD: 1.5 METRES This engaging, petite pine is slow-growing and hardy with attractive, green, candle-like foliage. With its narrow growth habit, it is perfect for containers as well as small gardens. The dwarf black pine grows just 6-10cm a year and, when mature, will reach no more than 1.2m in height with a spread of 1.5m. This small evergreen requires absolutely no pruning to maintain its natural, round form. You need only remove dead or damaged branches as and when necessary. This plant prefers well-drained soil and, once established, only requires occasional watering. We do recommend tying its branches up in winter if you are expecting heavy snowfall to prevent breakage and damage. 6) Upright Japanese Plum Yew BOTANICAL NAME: Cephalotaxus harringtonia ‘Fastigiata’ HARDINESS RATING: H5 MAX HEIGHT: 3 METRES MAX SPREAD: 2 METRES The upright Japanese plum yew is an attractive, broad-needled evergreen with beautiful blue-green foliage. Thanks to its slender, upright growth habit it lends an excellent and delicate texture to landscape composition. Unlike most of the other trees on this list, this beauty will take more shade than almost any needled evergreen out there and will make a great hedge, providing excellent screening for privacy. Maxing out at around 3m in height, this tree will thrive in well-drained soil and can be sheared annually to shape. It also has a high tolerance to pollution, making it a top choice for inner-city gardens. 7) Dwarf Balsam Fir BOTANICAL NAME: Abies balsamea ‘Nana’ HARDINESS RATING: H7 MAX HEIGHT: 0.6 METRES MAX SPREAD: 0.5 METRES The dwarf balsam fir is extra eye-catching thanks to its squat stature and lush, dark green needles with white undersides. It gets the balsam part of its name thanks to the balsamic fragrance it exudes. Globose in shape it only reaches a maximum of around 60cm, making this a fantastic option for borders and beds as well as rockeries and containers. This impactful little fellow thrives in moist, well-drained soil in full sun or partial shade and is frost hardy and wind-resistant. Requiring little maintenance, aside from removing die back, the one recommendation we have is to add a layer of mulch in winter for protection if in a more exposed location. These are superb little ornamental plants that tend to keep themselves tidy, making them perfect for gardeners with less time on their hands. 8) Glaucous Dwarf Siberian Pine BOTANICAL NAME: Pinus pumila ‘Glauca’ HARDINESS RATING: H7 MAX HEIGHT: 2-2.5 METRES MAX SPREAD: 2-2.5 METRES RHS AWARD OF GARDEN MERIT 9) Eastern Hemlock ‘Minuta’ BOTANICAL NAME: Tsuga canadensis ‘Minuta’ HARDINESS RATING: H7 MAX HEIGHT: 0.5 METRES MAX SPREAD: 0.5 METRES RHS AWARD OF GARDEN MERIT 10) Korean Fir ‘Kohout’s Ice Breaker’ BOTANICAL NAME: Abies koreana ‘Kohout’s Ice Breaker’ HARDINESS RATING: H7 MAX HEIGHT: 0.6 METRES MAX SPREAD: 0.5 METRES 11) Japanese Cedar ‘Tilford Gold’ BOTANICAL NAME: Cryptomeria japonica ‘Tilford Gold’ HARDINESS RATING: H6 MAX HEIGHT: 1 METRE MAX SPREAD: 0.5-1 METRES 12) Dwarf Scots Pine ‘Gold Coin’ BOTANICAL NAME: Pinus sylvestris ‘Gold Coin’ HARDINESS RATING: H7 MAX HEIGHT: 1.5 METRES MAX SPREAD: 0.5-1 METRES 13) Austrian Pine ‘Hornibrookiana’ BOTANICAL NAME: Pinus nigra ‘Hornibrookiana’ HARDINESS RATING: H7 MAX HEIGHT: 0.5-1 METRES MAX SPREAD: 2 METRES 14) Austrian Pine ‘Moseri’ BOTANICAL NAME: Pinus nigra ‘Moseri’ HARDINESS RATING: H7 MAX HEIGHT: 1.5 METRES MAX SPREAD: 1.5 METRES 15) Rocky Mountain Juniper ‘Blue Arrow’ BOTANICAL NAME: Juniperus virginiana ‘Blue Arrow’ HARDINESS RATING: H6 MAX HEIGHT: 2-2.5 METRES MAX SPREAD: 0.5 METRES RHS AWARD OF GARDEN MERIT 16) Asian Bell Tree BOTANICAL NAME: Radermachera sinica HARDINESS RATING: H1B MAX HEIGHT: 1.5-2 METRES MAX SPREAD: 1-1.5 METRES RHS AWARD OF GARDEN MERIT 17) Montery Cypress BOTANICAL NAME: Cupressus macrocarpa ‘Wilma’ HARDINESS RATING: H4 MAX HEIGHT: 1.5-2.5 METRES MAX SPREAD: 0.5 METRES RHS AWARD OF GARDEN MERIT Choose Dwarf Evergreens For Everlasting Impact Dwarf, evergreen trees may be small, but they can make a massive impact in any garden. Plus, with their long life span, they will keep your garden lush and green, every season, year after year. We do recommend that you always research your chosen trees before planting, so you know exactly how much space they require and how best to maintain them. That said, most of these little plants require very little attention once planted and are quite happy to do their own thing. Dwarf evergreens can play so many parts in your garden with their ornamental beauty, creating an exciting and unusual landscape as well as providing privacy from the outside world. With so many to choose from, it’s easy to see how quickly you can take your garden from plain average to utterly extraordinary. So get planting those evergreens, and keep your garden everlastingly lovely.
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Slugs Are Hard To Control - Try These 8 Natural Solutions From Horticulturists
IN THIS GUIDE Know Your Enemy Why Are Slugs Hard To Control? What Does Slug Damage Look Like? How To Get Rid Of Slugs Naturally 1) A Pinch Of Salt 2) Plant Power 3) Water Strategically 4) Invite Some Hungry Guests 5) Put Up The Barricades 6) Bottoms Up With A Beer Trap 7) Lure Them In 8) Get Some Chickens References Slugs truly can be the bane of a gardener’s existence. These infuriating creatures can wreak havoc on your garden, ruining everything in their path and leaving behind their tell-tale trails of revolting slime. There are few things more upsetting to a gardener than finding their fruits, vegetables and other prized plants have been chewed beyond recognition. It feels like the slugs are making a declaration of war; and if that’s the case, we say bring it on. Yes, you could opt for shop-bought slug baits and killers, but these can be packed full of very nasty chemicals which can cause harm to pets and humans alike. For this reason, many gardeners are now opting for a more natural approach to reclaim their garden from these savage slugs. Know Your Enemy It is worth mentioning that most species of slugs are actually decomposers, and feed solely on animal waste and decaying plants.1 Unfortunately though, there are a few other species that ruin the reputation of all slugs. These kinds of slugs are the ones that love to dine on living plants, and they’re the real enemies. Slugs are thugs Slugs are shell-less, terrestrial, gastropod molluscs.2 They are hermaphrodites, meaning they have both male and female reproductive cells; however, they do need a mate to reproduce.3 Slugs take about one year to reach adulthood and usually live for around two years, but during that time they can do an impressive amount of damage to your garden.4 With their tiny, grater-like teeth, slugs make short shrift of shredding leaves entirely and completely decimating seedlings. Why Are Slugs Hard To Control? Slugs tend to operate at night, spending the daytime hidden away under rocks and in damp little secret spaces. Come morning gardeners will see the damage but, with no slug in sight, it can be hard to tell which creature is to blame. For this reason, many gardeners will suspect the culprit is some sort of insect and will treat their plants with a general insecticide which will sadly not affect the slugs (and likely harm precious pollinators like bees). “Raised beds and container plants harbour pests like slugs” shares Horticulturist Val Bourne. “Slugs get down between the wood and the soil, whilst the normal things that eat them, like hedgehogs, frogs and toads, can’t get into the raised beds, providing more of a problem.” If you have managed to catch the slugs in the act and know that they are the real criminals, then you still have to work out what to do about them. Picking them out of your garden by hand is both revolting and relatively ineffective. What Does Slug Damage Look Like? Knowing how to identify slug damage is the first step to fully confirming the presence of these malevolent molluscs. Here are some fool-proof ways of identifying these garden slug thugs: Trails of slime are the primary indicator of slug activity, keep an eye out for it on plants, paths, rocks and mulch. Leaves with jagged holes in the centre as well as around the edges. Slugs adore soft fruit and veg, look out for perfectly round holes in your tomatoes, strawberries and other similar plants. Slugs can completely kill seedlings, so if you’re seeing them entirely gone, or with just tiny parts remaining, then slugs are almost certainly to blame. How To Get Rid Of Slugs Naturally Once you have identified that your garden is suffering from a slug infestation, it’s time to do something about it. “Slugs can be beneficial for eating rotting plant material, doing a cleaning job for you, so tolerate them where you can,” shares Val. As Val says, a small amount of plant damage can be tolerated, but if you are finding that these little monsters are getting out of hand, then we have put together a list of the best, natural ways to prevent and remove them from your garden. 1) A Pinch Of Salt This is arguably one of the most well-known natural ways to eliminate slugs. It’s effective, albeit not terribly humane. Although salt does essentially dissolve the slugs, it takes a long time to do so and they may suffer a lot. If you do opt for this method, take care not to put too much salt on the soil around your plants as, while salt is bad for slugs, it really isn’t great for plants either. 2) Plant Power One of the first things you can do to combat these crafty critters is to use the power of plants. There are plenty of plants that slugs not only dislike, but which actively deter them from your garden. Plants like garlic, rosemary and lavender (along with many others) produce scents that slugs simply cannot abide. Planting them close to plants that slugs do enjoy will help keep them at bay. Other plants traditionally used in companion planting are irresistible to pests (take marigolds for example) and it may be worth planting these to keep slug pests away from your main crops. “Ultimately, my goal is to provide a healthy ecosystem so that all the bugs eat each other and leave my crops alone, but in reality, that’s actually quite hard to do!” jokes Emma Bailey, a Garden Blogger. “I love companion planting for this. For example, I grow nasturtiums around my pumpkins in an attempt to keep the slugs away! “I also like to grow a few sacrificial crops around my plot. This year I planted lots of cabbages all around my raised beds to give the slugs something yummy to eat. It worked better than expected and I managed to get a whole row of carrots to germinate!” 3) Water Strategically Since slugs are active usually at night, then we highly recommend watering first thing in the morning. This gives your garden a chance to dry over the course of the day so come nightfall it isn’t so welcoming to them. It is also wise not to use loose mulches as these can be very attractive to slugs. Avoid woodchippings and hay or straw and instead opt for compost, leaf mould or wool pellets, which are marketed for their repelling effect on slugs. 4) Invite Some Hungry Guests Make sure you remove anything that slugs can hide under during the day such as old logs and bricks. With nowhere to hide, they will be fully exposed to hungry predators who will happily help you clear the slugs away. Birds, toads, hedgehogs and newts are all partial to slugs, so do your best to welcome them into your garden. By giving them a safe habitat to reside in, your slug problem will quickly be resolved. 5) Put Up The Barricades These mean molluscs have soft little bodies, and so a barricade of sharp, scratchy stuff you will have a really good shot at protecting your plants. Eggshells, sand and pine needles are all useful materials to ward off those vile visitors. Slugs also struggle to climb up slippery surfaces. By spraying WD40 or something similar on plant pots and containers, you can prevent these unwanted guests from reaching your plants. Copper tape also makes a most excellent barricade. The copper reacts with slugs slime and gives it a little electric shock. By laying down self-adhesive copper tape barricades, you stand a much better chance of defending your precious plants. 6) Bottoms Up With A Beer Trap Slugs love the smell of beer, so beer traps are usually remarkably successful at luring slugs to their death. Simply bury a container in the ground, fill it half full with beer, and the slugs will investigate, fall in, and drown. Take care not to completely submerge the container, instead leave two or three centimetres above ground to prevent helpful, slug-eating ground beetles from also falling to their death. 7) Lure Them In If you don’t want to waste precious beer, there are other ways to lure slugs in and make disposing of them more efficient. By using cat food, a bunch of old lettuce leaves or a hollowed melon, you can draw them all to one spot and then dispose of them altogether. It’s worth taking a torch and having a nighttime garden stroll to catch them when they are most active, allowing you to remove as many as possible in one go. 8) Get Some Chickens Not only do chickens make wonderful pets that provide you with fresh eggs every morning, they also have an insatiable appetite for slugs. If you are fortunate enough to have the space, we highly recommend adopting some ex-battery hens. Not only will you be giving them a second chance at life, they will reward you by removing every slug in sight. References 1. Naeve, L. (n.d.). Slug it Out with Slugs in Your Garden. Iowa State University. Retrieved March 23, 2023, from https://www.extension.iastate.edu/news/2006/jun/070201.htm 2. Terrestrial Snails and Slugs. (n.d.). The Living World of Molluscs. Retrieved March 23, 2023, from https://www.molluscs.at/gastropoda/terrestrial.html?/gastropoda/terrestrial/slugs.html 3. Langley, L. (2015, June 22). Inside the Strange World of Slug Sex and Slime. Animals. Retrieved March 23, 2023, from https://www.nationalgeographic.com/animals/article/inside-the-strange-world-of-slug-sex-and-slime 4. Slug Facts. (n.d.). The RSPB. Retrieved August 22, 2023, from https://www.rspb.org.uk/birds-and-wildlife/wildlife-guides/other-garden-wildlife/insects-and-other-invertebrates/worms-slugs-spiders/slug/
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"Don't Be Scared Of Smaller Spaces" - Here's 16 Narrow Trees You Can Use
IN THIS GUIDE Why We Love Narrow Trees 1) Japanese Holly 2) Cherry Plum 3) Cherry ‘Amanogawa’ 4) Common Hornbeam 5) Crimson Spire Oak 6) Bay Tree 7) Japanese ‘Silhouette’ Maple 8) Rocky Mountain Juniper ‘Blue Arrow’ 9) Dwarf Mountain Pine 10) Lawson’s Cypress 11) Dwarf Crab Apple 12) Northern White Cedar 13) Chusan Palm 14) Korean Fir 15) Oak ‘Koster’ 16) Dawyck Purple Beech Tree Be A Little ‘Narrow-Minded’ Most of us aren’t blessed with bountiful space in our gardens, nor are we always lucky to have the time we’d like to spend in them. Choosing trees for small gardens can be a real challenge, and making the wrong choice can completely overcrowd the space and even damage the foundations of your house. For these reasons, you may be quite wary of planting trees; by choosing the appropriate ones, however, you can give your garden much-needed structure and texture as well as providing yourself with privacy from neighbours and the outside world. “Don’t be scared of smaller spaces in a garden,” says Garden Designer Kate Gould. “Just because it’s small, doesn’t mean you can’t be creative. Often, it is much better to go bigger and bolder in small spaces.” And what’s bolder than a tree? “Trees are important in gardens from both a design and biodiversity perspective,” shares Master Horticulturist Colin Skelly. “Without the height and volume of trees, gardens can seem flat and trees are crucial for supporting biodiversity in gardens. “For small gardens, columnar trees are a great option.” These days, especially in urban gardens, making use of vertical space as opposed to horizontal space is a great way to hack the space. It can give your garden an added dimension, and allows you the joy of growing a tree even in the most modest-sized outdoor area. Why We Love Narrow Trees When you have a compact garden, you want to make the most of every inch available, and often this scares gardeners away from including trees. But, by opting for narrow trees, you can add interest to your garden year-round and enjoy delightful contrasts of colour throughout the seasons. Many narrow trees also produce berries that will attract birds and other urban wildlife to your garden as well as flowers to attract essential pollinators. Choosing columnar trees can truly pack a punch in your garden, bringing life and colour as well as providing a shield from bad weather for other plants in your garden. 1) Japanese Holly BOTANICAL NAME: Ilex crenata HARDINESS RATING: H6 FOLIAGE: EVERGREEN MAX GROWING WIDTH: 1.5M This slow-growing, evergreen tree can grow up to 8m in height, whilst spreading to no more than about 1.5m. This handsome fellow has glossy green leaves and produces small white flowers in summer, which are followed by pretty black fruits. Japanese holly is easy to grow and is best suited to a sunny spot, or partial shade, in well-drained soil. These are an excellent option if you are keen to create a privacy screen or just to add shape to the edging of your garden. Do keep in mind that it can take them between ten and twenty years to reach their ultimate height, so if you’re eager to have a privacy screen quickly, this may not be the best option for you. That said, they are beautiful trees and well worth the wait. 2) Cherry Plum BOTANICAL NAME: Prunus cerasifera ‘Crimson Pointe’ HARDINESS RATING: H6 FOLIAGE: DECIDUOUS MAX GROWING WIDTH: 2.5M Cherry Plum is a gorgeous, purple-leaved, flowering blossom tree that is ideal for a smaller garden. Growing in a robust and columnar shape, it also produces dainty, fragrant, pink-white flowers in spring and, if you are lucky, may also reward you with a small crop of plums. This deciduous tree has dense foliage and grows to around 6m in height, making it another superb option for a privacy screen. Cherry Plum trees are easy to grow and very cold-hardy. They prefer a spot in full sun and well-drained soil. These trees are very low maintenance and will usually only require light pruning; they are also fast-growing, reaching their full height within ten years. 3) Cherry ‘Amanogawa’ BOTANICAL NAME: Prunus ‘Amanogawa’ HARDINESS RATING: H6 FOLIAGE: DECIDUOUS MAX GROWING WIDTH: 3M Another narrow cherry tree worth considering is the ‘Amanogawa’. This gorgeous, slender, Japanese variety is perfect if you want to add a splash of colour to your compact garden. ‘Amanogawa’ is a small, deciduous tree and, while its foliage is not as dense as the ‘Crimson Pointe’ trees, it does produce showy, pale pink blossoms in late spring. Then, come autumn, the leaves turn to dazzling shades of orange and red, providing your garden with year-round interest. These trees can reach up to around 8m in height, although it can take them between twenty to fifty years to do so. Plant in full sun with moderately fertile soil. 4) Common Hornbeam BOTANICAL NAME: Carpinus betulus HARDINESS RATING: H7 FOLIAGE: DECIDUOUS MAX GROWING WIDTH: 4M+ Hornbeams are generally narrow-growing trees anyway, but Carpinus betulus is really on the money where slender trees are concerned. These slow growers can reach heights of about 8m, although that can take all of fifty years or more to achieve! C. betulus is perfect for adding architectural interest to your garden. Plant in full sun or partial shade, in fertile, well-drained soil for best results. They require little to no pruning, but if you do want to prune then do so in early spring or late winter. With attractive green foliage that turns into a lovely shade of yellow in autumn, while also producing clusters of hop-like fruit in late summer, this tree is the gift that keeps on giving. 5) Crimson Spire Oak BOTANICAL NAME: Quercus × bimundorum ‘Crimschmidt’ HARDINESS RATING: H6 FOLIAGE: DECIDUOUS / EVERGREEN MAX GROWING WIDTH: 4M+ This stunning oak is very unique in that it grows up to 15m in height but remains narrow (for an oak), spreading to a maximum of 4m. With its slim, columnar habit of growth and its dark green foliage that changes to a stunning red in autumn, this tree is a bit of a showstopper. Though ‘Crimson Spire’ oak will tolerate both dry and moist soil, it really must be grown in full sunlight. It also tolerates urban pollution well, making it a perfect addition to an inner-city garden. ‘Crimson Spire’ oaks also provide excellent habitat for beneficial garden insects as well as for the songbirds that like to eat them, bringing life into your little garden. With the right conditions, this thin but mighty oak can live for one hundred years or more. 6) Bay Tree BOTANICAL NAME: Laurus nobilis HARDINESS RATING: H4 FOLIAGE: EVERGREEN MAX GROWING WIDTH: 4M+ Topiary bay trees are perfect for patio containers and can be cut or trained into many different shapes, such as lollipops, pyramids and balls. Bay can become very large if kept untrimmed, so this tree does require a little more care than some of the other trees on this list. That said, bay trees are slow-growing, so you have lots of time to train them into the shape of your choosing. Topiary bay trees have attractive foliage and produce sweet-fragranced yellow flowers in spring. It is worth noting, however, that frequent pruning will reduce the number of flowers they produce. The leaves can also be used in cooking, offering a fragrant flavour to soups, curries, and many other dishes. Topiary bay trees should be grown in full sun or partial shade, in well-drained soil and can be grown either in containers or just in the ground. Growing in containers will make it easier to limit their size, making them a lot easier to manage. 7) Japanese ‘Silhouette’ Maple BOTANICAL NAME: Acer palmatum ‘Tsukasa Silhouette’ HARDINESS RATING: H5 FOLIAGE: DECIDUOUS MAX GROWING WIDTH: 2M A wonderfully versatile, narrow tree, the Japanese ‘Tsukasa Silhouette’ maple can be used to create a gorgeous, ornamental hedge or as a centrepiece for your garden. Sporting handsome, lime-green foliage in spring and vibrant red foliage in autumn, this is another tree that can add a lovely aesthetic to your garden all year round. Japanese ‘Tsukasa Silhouette’ maple trees take around ten to twenty years to reach their full height of up to 6m but have a slender spread of only 1.5m. Best grown in moist, well-drained, acidic or neutral soil, these maples will tolerate full sun but will do best in partial shade. Ideally, they should be in a sheltered spot as they can fall victim to leaf scorch if they are exposed to excessive frost, wind and sun when the leaves are young. 8) Rocky Mountain Juniper ‘Blue Arrow’ BOTANICAL NAME: Juniperus scopulorum ‘Blue Arrow’ HARDINESS RATING: H6 FOLIAGE: EVERGREEN MAX GROWING WIDTH: 0.5M 9) Dwarf Mountain Pine BOTANICAL NAME: Pinus mugo HARDINESS RATING: H7 FOLIAGE: EVERGREEN MAX GROWING WIDTH: 1.5M 10) Lawson’s Cypress BOTANICAL NAME: Chamaecyparis lawsoniana HARDINESS RATING: H6 FOLIAGE: EVERGREEN MAX GROWING WIDTH: 1.5M 11) Dwarf Crab Apple BOTANICAL NAME: Malus sargentii HARDINESS RATING: H6 FOLIAGE: DECIDUOUS MAX GROWING WIDTH: 1.5M 12) Northern White Cedar BOTANICAL NAME: Thuja occidentalis HARDINESS RATING: H6 FOLIAGE: EVERGREEN MAX GROWING WIDTH: 1M 13) Chusan Palm BOTANICAL NAME: Trachycarpus fortunei HARDINESS RATING: H5 FOLIAGE: EVERGREEN MAX GROWING WIDTH: 2.5M 14) Korean Fir BOTANICAL NAME: Abies koreana HARDINESS RATING: H7 FOLIAGE: EVERGREEN MAX GROWING WIDTH: 1M 15) Oak ‘Koster’ BOTANICAL NAME: Quercus robur ‘Koster’ HARDINESS RATING: H6 FOLIAGE: DECIDUOUS MAX GROWING WIDTH: 2.5M 16) Dawyck Purple Beech Tree BOTANICAL NAME: Fagus sylvatica HARDINESS RATING: H6 FOLIAGE: DECIDUOUS MAX GROWING WIDTH: 4M+ Be A Little ‘Narrow-Minded’ Hopefully, this article has inspired you and shown that by being a little narrow-minded and choosing some narrow trees for your garden, you can breathe new life into your small space. Make sure you always do your research before planting to ensure you have space for both the spread and height of your trees. This will help you avoid having to do extreme pruning or, worse yet, organise a tree removal further down the line. As you can see, there is an abundance of narrow trees to choose from, so you will be sure to find the perfect one for your compact garden.
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"They Grow Quickly And Fill Awkward Gaps" - 23 Evergreen Groundcover Plants
IN THIS GUIDE 1) Creeping Thyme 2) English Ivy 3) Creeping Myrtle 4) Japanese Spurge 5) Creeping Phlox 6) Black Mondo Grass 7) Angelina Stonecrop 8) Spotted Dead Nettle 9) Lenten Rose 10) Coral Bells 11) Spindle 12) Creeping Jenny 13) Perennial Candytuft 14) Rock Rose 15) Heather 16) Elephants Ears 17) Thrift 18) Moutain Pride 19) Dalmation Cranesbill 20) Aubretia 21) Woolly Rock Jasmine 22) Polypody Fern 23) Horned Pansy Did We Cover Everything? Groundcover plants are, as the name would suggest, plants that cover the ground. They are naturally low-growing plants that grow quickly, masking bare soil and suppressing weeds. They are ideal for filling awkward gaps and giving your garden a look of fullness, providing interest to your garden year-round. Carpeting your garden, evergreen groundcover plants are also great for keeping things a little more low-maintenance, shielding tricky-to-mow areas and slopes. Where other ground covering plants die back in the colder months, evergreens supply year-round cover. 1) Creeping Thyme BOTANICAL NAME: Thymus serpyllum HARDINESS RATING: H5 PREFERRED POSITION: FULL SUN This spreading thyme variety is easy to grow and is perfect for rock gardens, paths and stepping stones, as well as for helping you to create a living patio. It is also a great lawn alternative. This woody perennial is perfect for sunny spots in your garden and, as with other thyme varieties, is edible and wonderfully aromatic. In late spring to early summer it produces vast clusters of gorgeous little flowers in a variety of shades that are particularly attractive to bees. Creeping thyme is a beautiful candidate for landscaping and not only is it resistant to pests, but this robust little plant can also put up with being tromped across by kids, so it’s perfect for a family garden. 2) English Ivy BOTANICAL NAME: Hedera helix HARDINESS RATING: H5 PREFERRED POSITION: ANY This popular plant is a super climber and can cling to almost any surface, using small roots that grow along its stems. As far as care goes this traditional trooper is super low-maintenance so is ideal for planting in tricky, hard to reach places and just letting it get on with it. English ivy prefers shade and organically rich soil; you can encourage growth by enriching the soil with compost. This ground covering evergreen takes about three years to establish, but once it does, it is truly unstoppable. By shearing off the tops of the plant in springtime, you will help to rejuvenate the vines. This plant is also wonderfully skilled at discouraging rodents, making it one of the most useful plants on our list. 3) Creeping Myrtle BOTANICAL NAME: Vinca minor HARDINESS RATING: H6 PREFERRED POSITION: ANY Creeping myrtle prefers partial shade and moist, rich, well-drained soil; however, it will tolerate more average or dry ground. This evergreen is fast-growing and produces shiny green leaves and adorable blue, star-shaped flowers which bloom for a month in the springtime. It is worth mentioning that this plant has an invasive tendency, forming dense mats that can overcrowd other plants. You can control creeping myrtle’s growth by mowing or cutting back and spraying with herbicide. You should aim to do this two years on the trot between July and October. You can cut it back in spring to encourage new growth, and while it can sometimes get out of hand, creeping myrtle certainly provides superb groundcover. 4) Japanese Spurge BOTANICAL NAME: Pachysandra terminalis HARDINESS RATING: H5 PREFERRED POSITION: FULL OR PART SHADED With glossy rosettes of dark green leaves which help to form dense mats, Japanese spurge is an eye-catching and attractive groundcover evergreen plant that performs well in the sun and the shade. Preferring moist, well-drained soil, Japanese spurge is perfect for providing groundcover to large spaces and is also a great mulch-substitute under shaded tree canopies where not much else will grow. Japanese spurge is ideal for covering bare areas of ground between deciduous shrubs and trees and will keep your garden looking lush and alive year-round. 5) Creeping Phlox BOTANICAL NAME: Phlox subulata HARDINESS RATING: H6 PREFERRED POSITION: FULL SUN Another creeping groundcover plant, creeping phlox is low maintenance and, although relatively unfussy about soil, thrives in a sunny spot with well-drained soil. Blooming in springtime, creeping phlox produces gorgeous cascades of five-petalled flowers in shades of red, purple, white and blue. Even when established, this evergreen beauty will benefit from extra water during hot and dry spells, and you can cut back the stems after blooming to promote a second wave of flowers. When massed together to create groundcover, creeping phlox is a real showstopper and a powerful statement in any garden. 6) Black Mondo Grass BOTANICAL NAME: Ophiopogon planiscapus HARDINESS RATING: H5 PREFERRED POSITION: FULL OR PART SUN If you want to create drama with your groundcover plant, then black mondo grass is for you. This low growing perennial sports purple-black, grass-like leaves, forming a uniquely coloured carpet of foliage. Known also as black beard, this densely spreading plant produces spikes of little, purple-flushed, white flowers in summer, followed by pretty, blue-black berries in autumn. Perfect for banks and slopes, black mondo grass thrives in well-drained, slightly acidic soil in full sun or partial shade. 7) Angelina Stonecrop BOTANICAL NAME: Sedum rupestre ‘Angelina’ HARDINESS RATING: H7 PREFERRED POSITION: FULL OR PART SUN This evergreen, mat-forming, low-growing evergreen perennial showcases succulent stems and leaves and produces lovely clusters of little, star-shaped flowers in spring or autumn. It’s an excellent option if you want to grow something a little bit different and ‘out there’. Growing to 15cm in height and spreading up to 60cm wide, ‘Angelina’s’ leaves become bright yellow in spring, gradually turning to an eye-catching yellow-green in summertime. In autumn the leaves are tinted with orange and red making a plant that really adds interest to your garden all year round. This is a relatively trouble-free groundcover plant that will do well in low to moderately fertile, well-drained soil in full sun. 8) Spotted Dead Nettle BOTANICAL NAME: Lamium maculatum HARDINESS RATING: H7 PREFERRED POSITION: FULL OR PART SHADED This handsome, evergreen, groundcover plant forms a lovely mat of coarse, toothed leaves, producing dainty, tubular purple, white or pink flowers in summer. Spotted dead nettle, sometimes called devil’s clover, prefers moist, well-drained soil, in a sheltered position, in deep or partial shade. “I find myself using Lamium maculatum cultivars more and more in the garden,” shares Colin Skelly, Master Horticulturist. “It thrives in and lights up shady areas and spreads quickly without becoming invasive. “The flowers of most cultivars are purple, but my favourite cultivar, L. ‘White Nancy’, has white flowers as its name suggests.” Easy to maintain, this plant is perfect to use as an underplanting for shrubs and roses, and you can cut it back after flowering to ensure fresh foliage cover. Despite the name, spotted dead nettles don’t sting, but probably evolved to look like stinging nettles to protect themselves from predators. 9) Lenten Rose BOTANICAL NAME: Helleborus × hybridus HARDINESS RATING: H7 PREFERRED POSITION: FULL OR PART SUN Lenten roses are an evergreen, perennial groundcover species of hellebore which is part of the buttercup family. This plant is great for creating interest during the winter months, producing nodding flowers from late winter to spring. They are also a great source of food for pollinators in early spring. Best planted during autumn and spring, choose a spot in light shade where it can also enjoy the full sun for part of the day. Be sure to mulch in spring to reduce the dryness of the soil and remove damaged or diseased leaves throughout autumn and winter. 10) Coral Bells BOTANICAL NAME: Heuchera HARDINESS RATING: H6 PREFERRED POSITION: FULL OR PART SUN 11) Spindle BOTANICAL NAME: Euonymus fortunei HARDINESS RATING: H5 PREFERRED POSITION: ANY 12) Creeping Jenny BOTANICAL NAME: Lysimachia nummularia HARDINESS RATING: H5 PREFERRED POSITION: FULL OR PART SUN 13) Perennial Candytuft BOTANICAL NAME: Iberis sempervirens HARDINESS RATING: H5 PREFERRED POSITION: FULL SUN 14) Rock Rose BOTANICAL NAME: Helianthemum HARDINESS RATING: H4/H5 PREFERRED POSITION: FULL SUN 15) Heather BOTANICAL NAME: Erica HARDINESS RATING: H4 PREFERRED POSITION: FULL SUN 16) Elephants Ears BOTANICAL NAME: Bergenia HARDINESS RATING: H7 PREFERRED POSITION: FULL OR PART SUN 17) Thrift BOTANICAL NAME: Armeria maritima HARDINESS RATING: H5 PREFERRED POSITION: FULL SUN 18) Moutain Pride BOTANICAL NAME: Penstemon newberryi HARDINESS RATING: H5 PREFERRED POSITION: FULL SUN 19) Dalmation Cranesbill BOTANICAL NAME: Geranium dalmaticum HARDINESS RATING: H5 PREFERRED POSITION: ANY 20) Aubretia BOTANICAL NAME: Aubretia HARDINESS RATING: H6 PREFERRED POSITION: FULL SUN 21) Woolly Rock Jasmine BOTANICAL NAME: Androsace lanuginosa HARDINESS RATING: H5 PREFERRED POSITION: FULL SUN 22) Polypody Fern BOTANICAL NAME: Polypodium vulgare HARDINESS RATING: H7 PREFERRED POSITION: ANY 23) Horned Pansy BOTANICAL NAME: Viola cornuta HARDINESS RATING: H5 PREFERRED POSITION: ANY Did We Cover Everything? Hopefully, this article has covered everything you need to know about evergreen ground cover plants for year-round cover as well as providing plenty of inspiration for the best plants to include in your garden. There is so much to be said for evergreen groundcover plants. They bring interest to gardens, as well as helping to make your outdoor space so much easier to maintain. And with so many flowering varieties, you can really boost your garden’s blooming power and breathe life into it throughout the year. Take care to do your research for each plant to make sure you place it in the perfect spot in your garden to help it thrive. Aside from that, when it comes to evergreen ground cover plants, you can’t go far wrong! With all that said and done, why not get out there and start covering those tricky, empty patches. After that, there’s nothing to do but sit back and watch your garden grow and grow.
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5 Ingenious DIY Potting Soil Recipes With Tips From Sarah Gerrard-Jones
IN THIS GUIDE DIY Potting Soil Recipes For Growing Key Ingredients For Potting Soil Go Potty For DIY Potting Soil References Whether it’s growing your own fruit and vegetables, making your own compost, or upcycling old household items to use as containers for growing – many gardeners nowadays are trying to become more self-sufficient, no longer wanting to rely on shop-bought products. As peat-based products are not sustainable and alternatives offered can be variable in terms of nutrient provision and even at times include herbicides in error, needless to say, a lot of gardeners are also opting to make their own potting mix. It’s not as difficult as you would imagine, and can be a real money saver. There are many more benefits that come with making your own potting soil including the fact that you know exactly what nutrients are in your soil, and you can tailor it perfectly to the plants you are working with. It also means you can be sure that you aren’t accidentally exposing your plants to any nasty herbicides or pesticides. So, if you’re eager to start making your own DIY potting soil, then this article will tell you everything you need to know to get started. Firstly, your DIY potting soil should be consistent, lightweight, and easy to handle. You can tailor your potting soil to the precise needs of your plants by creating your own unique blends – If you are starting seeds or root cuttings, you will want to create a lighter, finer-textured mix. For shrubs and trees, you will require a mix that consists of a high level of coarse sand or bark. If you are growing succulents or cacti, then you will want to opt for a sandy and gravelly texture. When it comes to growing containers of annuals, perennials, vegetables or tropicals, then a general, all-purpose potting mix is ideal. DIY Potting Soil Recipes For Growing Now that you have an understanding of what potting soil is and have familiarised yourself with the ingredients needed to create it, it’s time to start mixing! We have picked out the best DIY recipes to help you make the perfect potting soils for your needs. Making your own potting soil isn’t difficult and, as you come to understand it better, you will be able to manufacture whatever type you require for your pot plant growing needs. “You need to think about what kind of plant you’re growing, whether it’s a houseplant or a succulent, and where it is native to,” shares Houseplant Expert Jane Perrone. “If it’s coming from a free-draining place, you’ll need to add lots of drainage material. There are so many things you can use for this, like perlite, grit and horticultural sand, as mentioned above.” You can use a wheelbarrow to mix your blends, or if you want to make blends in bulk, you could also use a compost tumbler or even a cement mixer. 1) For Annuals, Perennials, Fruit & Veg 6 parts coir 4 and ½ parts perlite 6 parts garden compost or composted bark 300g of organic fertiliser per 75 litres of potting mix 2) For Seed Starting 3 parts coir 1 part perlite 1 part vermiculite 2 parts sharp sand 3) For Shrubs & Trees 3 parts coir 3 parts garden compost 2 and ½ parts sharp sand 3 parts perlite 2 and ½ parts composted bark (pine bark can be substituted for shrubs and trees that require additional acidity) 200g organic fertiliser per 64 litres of potting mix 4) For Pot Plants 2 parts coir 1 and ½ parts perlite 2 parts sharp sand 28g of organic fertiliser per 25 litres of potting mix 5) For Cacti Or Succulents 3 parts coir 1 part perlite 1 part vermiculite Key Ingredients For Potting Soil Before you start creating your own DIY potting soil, it’s essential to familiarise yourself with the key ingredients that you will be working with and what part they play. 1) Sphagnum Peat Moss Sphagnum peat moss is a coarse, stable material that takes a long time to break down. Lightweight and inexpensive, it’s used to bulk up your mixture and also holds water well. You will want to take care not to add too much Sphagnum peat moss as this can slow or even stop drainage. It is also harmful to the environment, so we would recommend seeking alternative materials where possible. It also does not contain a lot of nutrients and has an acidic pH; you can add limestone to balance this. “As peat-based compost will no longer be sold in the UK from 2024, I’d recommend that you start to use alternatives now to become accustomed to the different watering and feeding regimes that are needed for peat-free compost mixes,” suggests Roy. 2) Coir Fibre Coir or coconut fibre is a natural fibre extracted from the husk of the coconut. You will often see it used in brushes, doormats, and floor mats. Coir is an excellent alternative to sphagnum peat moss, because it contains more nutrients and lasts longer. It is more expensive to purchase, but many gardeners feel it is a lot more sustainable. 3) Sand Sand is a core ingredient in potting soil, and we recommend using sharp sand which is coarse and sharp and enhances drainage and aeration as well as adding weight to the mix. “Builders sand is best avoided as it generally contains lime and is not as coarse as sharp sand and can therefore clog up potting mixes with its finer particles,” Roy adds. Do take care not to go overboard on the sand as this can make the containers too heavy to move. 4) Perlite Perlite is mined, expanded volcanic glass that has the appearance of white Styrofoam balls. Lightweight and sterile, perlite can hold up to four times its weight in water and is excellent for improving drainage. It is more expensive than sand, but its qualities may make it worth the extra expense. “Most tropical houseplants require free-draining substrate and an easy way to achieve this is by adding some orchid bark and perlite to the potting compost,” shares Sarah Gerrard-Jones, Horticultural Author and Blogger. 5) Vermiculite Vermiculite is an excellent alternative to perlite. It is a mined mineral which is then conditioned with heat which causes it to expand into light particles. Vermiculite increases the porosity of your potting soil, providing magnesium and calcium and increasing the water-holding capacity of your mix.1 6) Fertilisers You will need to add fertilisers to your peat-based DIY potting soil as the mix won’t naturally contain enough nutrients to support good plant growth. Stay away from synthetic fertilisers and instead opt for a natural fertiliser combining plant materials or animal by-products such as manure. 7) Limestone As mentioned, adding limestone can help balance the pH levels in your potting soil. We recommend using about a quarter of a cup per every six gallons of peat-based potting soil. 8) Garden Compost Homemade garden compost is a wonderful addition to your DIY potting soil. It has an excellent capacity for holding water and is high in nutrients. Including compost can play an instrumental role in promoting healthy plant growth – that said, we don’t advise using it for containers where you are seed-starting as it can be too heavy and prevent good growth. 9) Composted Woodchips By introducing composted woodchips to your homemade potting soil, you will increase the pore sizes, allowing for better water and airflow. It is imperative to note that, although the woodchips are slow to breakdown, they can decrease the nitrogen within the potting soil and we therefore recommend supplementing with blood meal or alfalfa meal. Composted woodchips are an ideal ingredient for growing shrubs and perennials. Once you have purchased the woodchips, you will want to allow them to compost for a year and you should be turning the pile at least every three weeks. Alternatively, composted bark can be purchased separately and used immediately in potting mixes. Go Potty For DIY Potting Soil Hopefully, this article has left you brimming with confidence to make your own DIY potting soil. The wonderful thing about it is that, once you get into it, you can really change and adapt your own potting soil brand to perfectly suit the plants you are keen to grow. Help your potted plants thrive with your own brand of potting soil Learning to make your own potting soil will teach you so much about your potted plants, flowers, shrubs and trees and will give you a real understanding of their specific, individual needs. Don’t be afraid to use a little trial and error; this is a rewarding process and will lead you to feeling like a much more confident and well-rounded gardener. So go ahead and get mixing the perfect DIY potting soil for your potted plants. References 1. Cation Exchange Capacity in Vermiculite. (2021, March 30). Dicalite Management Group. Retrieved March 14, 2023, from https://www.dicalite.com/2021/03/cation-exchange-capacity-vermiculite/
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Chris Lee's Must-Have Small Flowering Shrubs For Easy Gardening
IN THIS GUIDE Why Choose Small Flowering Shrubs? 1) Dwarf Butterfly Bush 2) Rhododendron 3) Small Hydrangea 4) Checkerberry 5) Flax Lily 6) Bearberry Cotoneaster 7) Green Carpet 8) Munstead Lavender 9) Shrubby Cinquefoil 10) Forsythia 11) Dwarf Spiraea 12) Winter Heath 13) Dwarf Lilac 14) Dwarf Fothergilla 15) Dwarf Camellia 16) Hebe 17) Fuchsia 18) Shrubby Mullein 19) Rock Rose Think Small But Mighty! Shrubs and bushes provide a simple framework for gardens, adding shape, texture and structure. By choosing flowering varieties, you can create year-round visual interest. Small flowering shrubs and bushes are generally easy to care for and maintain, and also provide excellent ground cover. With so many varieties to choose from, it’s easy to find options for a wide range of sites and soil that will suit the style and size of your garden. 1) Dwarf Butterfly Bush BOTANICAL NAME: Buddleja davidii RECOMMENDED VARIETIES: ‘Flutterby Petite Tutti Fruitti’, ‘Buzz Hot Raspberry’ HARDINESS RATING: H6 TYPICAL HEIGHT: 100-120cm TYPICAL SPREAD: 100-120cm FLOWERS: PINK / PURPLE FLOWERING PERIOD: SUMMER – AUTUMN A firm favourite among gardeners and butterflies alike, butterfly bush is a fabulous addition to any garden. Also known as buddleja, this fast-growing, deciduous shrub produces masses of long-spiked trusses that bloom from summer to autumn. There are now new dwarf varieties that ensure that this plucky plant won’t take over your entire garden. These come in a range of exciting colours, although butterflies seem to be more attracted to the mauve blooms. Butterfly bushes require full sun and fertile, well-drained soil. Plant in spring or autumn, before frost, and water thoroughly. There is no need to fertilise: while this can promote leaf growth, it will stunt flower production. Even in their first-year butterfly bushes bloom abundantly, making them an extremely rewarding little plant to grow. 2) Rhododendron RECOMMENDED VARIETIES: ‘Ginny Gee’ (Pictured), ‘Yaku Fairy’, ‘Alexander’ HARDINESS RATING: TYPICALLY H4-H6 TYPICAL HEIGHT: VARIES TYPICAL SPREAD: VARIES FLOWERS: VARIES FLOWERING PERIOD: TYPICALLY SPRING This evergreen show-stopper sports shiny, deep green leaves that help to showcase its blooms, which come in gorgeous shades purple, pink, yellow and pure white. You’ll want to choose a shade-dappled spot that is well sheltered and avoid areas of deep shade below trees. Rhododendrons enjoy moist but well-drained soil that is rich with organic matter. The small varieties work brilliantly in rock gardens as well as being perfect for containers in a nice shady patio area. Plant in October or from March to April and, where possible, use rainwater rather than tap water when watering. Tap water can often be too hard and contains high levels of calcium, which can reduce the acidity around the roots. 3) Small Hydrangea BOTANICAL NAME: Hydrangea macrophylla RECOMMENDED VARIETIES: ‘Altona’ (Pictured), ‘Pia’ HARDINESS RATING: H5 TYPICAL HEIGHT: 100-150cm TYPICAL SPREAD: 100-150cm FLOWERS: TYPICALLY PINK / PURPLE FLOWERING PERIOD: SUMMER This compact cutie quits growing when it reaches around three feet in height. This variety of hydrangea is quite the show-off and works fabulously in the middle of a border, as well as being ideal for a decorative patio container. Choose a spot in full sun or where it will get at least four to six hours of sunshine per day. Splendidly low maintenance, this shrub requires no pruning. All you need to do is sit back, relax, and admire them. 4) Checkerberry BOTANICAL NAME: Gaultheria procumbens HARDINESS RATING: H5 TYPICAL HEIGHT: 15-30cm TYPICAL SPREAD: 50-100cm FLOWERS: PINK / WHITE FLOWERING PERIOD: SUMMER Gaultheria procumbens, to give it its full name, is a lovely little evergreen with simple, leathery, and dainty, bell-shaped pink or white flowers. After their blooming period, they also produce long-lasting berries in a range of colours. This dwarf shrub maxes out at about 15cm in height and, with its leaves turning a reddish hue in winter, it truly makes it a great year-round shrub. Checkerberry plants prefer moist soils in partial or full shade. They are perfect for garden beds, banks and slopes, rock gardens and patios, making them a very versatile option that will look right at home in both formal and informal gardens. 5) Flax Lily BOTANICAL NAME: Phormium RECOMMENDED VARIETIES: ‘Duet’ (Pictured) HARDINESS RATING: H3 TYPICAL HEIGHT: 20-30cm TYPICAL SPREAD: 30-50cm FLOWERS: YELLOW FLOWERING PERIOD: SUMMER This evergreen perennial grows into a clump of leathery, strap-shaped green leaves with creamy white margins, reaching a height of up to 30cm. In summer it produces tall panicles of small, yellow, tubular flowers. Flax lily is best suited to fertile, moist, well-drained soil and will enjoy a spot in full sun. If planted in an area prone to frost then be sure to provide a deep layer of dry mulch over the winter months. This plant is excellent for adding texture to your garden and is a perfect addition to flower borders and beds. A superb low maintenance option, it only requires a little deadheading in autumn and is easy to propagate by division in spring. 6) Bearberry Cotoneaster BOTANICAL NAME: Cotoneaster dammeri HARDINESS RATING: H6 TYPICAL HEIGHT: 10-20cm TYPICAL SPREAD: 150-200cm FLOWERS: WHITE FLOWERING PERIOD: SUMMER This mini-masterpiece can be deciduous or evergreen and wears a simple yet striking attire of deep green leaves and clusters of small pink or white flowers that bloom in early summer. After flowering, it dons delightfully showy red, black or purple berries that make this little plant punch way above its weight. Growing only up to a height of around 20cm, bearberry cotoneaster does its best in well-drained, reasonably dry conditions and prefers full sun or partial shade. This bush is drought resistant and is ideal to use for groundcover of banks and slopes. “Cotoneaster dammeri makes a great functional shrub that covers the ground and keeps weeds down,” shares Horticultural Consultant Colin Skelly. “In addition to this, like other cotoneasters, its small spring flowers are hugely popular with pollinators and its berries are often eaten by birds.” Aphids do take a bit of a liking to it so be vigilant and treat accordingly. 7) Green Carpet BOTANICAL NAME: Pachysandra terminalis HARDINESS RATING: H5 TYPICAL HEIGHT: 10-20cm TYPICAL SPREAD: 80-100cm FLOWERS: WHITE FLOWERING PERIOD: SUMMER This Japanese spurge known as ‘green carpet’ is a mat-forming evergreen with creeping stems and coarse-toothed, leathery clusters of leaves. Growing no more than 20cm in height it produces cute little white flowers in summer. This robust little plant grows well in nearly all soils in full or partial shade, and is another drought-resistant option. Green carpet is great for ground covering under larger shrubs as well as roses and is another small flowering shrub that works well on banks and slopes. 8) Munstead Lavender BOTANICAL NAME: Lavandula angustifolia HARDINESS RATING: H5 TYPICAL HEIGHT: 40-50cm TYPICAL SPREAD: 60-100cm FLOWERS: PURPLE FLOWERING PERIOD: SUMMER No list would be complete without luscious lavender. If planted in the garden, it does have a habit of spreading quite far, but in a container, it’s the perfect small flowering shrub for a patio or on a front porch. Munstead lavender is a small variety growing no taller than 45cm, with narrow, greyish green foliage and producing purple-blue flowers in mid to late summer. Gorgeously aromatic and loved by basically all pollinators, lavender is supremely easy to grow and care for and is a firm favourite in all English gardens. We recommend planting in well-drained, neutral to alkaline soil and adding potash to encourage flowering. Once established, munstead lavender is the gift that keeps on giving. It’s easy to propagate by taking cuttings in summer, too, so you can always share the love with friends and family. 9) Shrubby Cinquefoil BOTANICAL NAME: Potentilla fruticosa HARDINESS RATING: H7 TYPICAL HEIGHT: 60-100cm TYPICAL SPREAD: 60-100cm FLOWERS: YELLOW FLOWERING PERIOD: SPRING – AUTUMN 10) Forsythia BOTANICAL NAME: Forsythia × intermedia RECOMMENDED VARIETIES: ‘Mikador’ HARDINESS RATING: H5 TYPICAL HEIGHT: 80-100cm TYPICAL SPREAD: 80-100cm FLOWERS: YELLOW FLOWERING PERIOD: SPRING 11) Dwarf Spiraea BOTANICAL NAME: Spiraea japonica RECOMMENDED VARIETIES: ‘Nana’, ‘Firelight’ HARDINESS RATING: H6 TYPICAL HEIGHT: 20-50cm TYPICAL SPREAD: 70-100cm FLOWERS: TYPICALLY PINK / PURPLE FLOWERING PERIOD: SUMMER 12) Winter Heath BOTANICAL NAME: Erica carnea RECOMMENDED VARIETIES: Wintersonne; Golden Starlet HARDINESS RATING: H6 TYPICAL HEIGHT: 20-40cm TYPICAL SPREAD: 30-50cm FLOWERS: WHITE / PINK / PURPLE FLOWERING PERIOD: WINTER – SPRING 13) Dwarf Lilac BOTANICAL NAME: Syringa meyeri RECOMMENDED VARIETIES: ‘Palibin’ (Pictured) HARDINESS RATING: H5 TYPICAL HEIGHT: 80-120cm TYPICAL SPREAD: 100-120cm FLOWERS: PINK / PURPLE FLOWERING PERIOD: SPRING – SUMMER 14) Dwarf Fothergilla BOTANICAL NAME: Fothergilla gardenii RECOMMENDED VARIETIES: ‘Blue Mist’ HARDINESS RATING: H5 TYPICAL HEIGHT: 75-100cm TYPICAL SPREAD: 75-100cm FLOWERS: WHITE FLOWERING PERIOD: SPRING – SUMMER 15) Dwarf Camellia BOTANICAL NAME: Camellia sasanqua RECOMMENDED VARIETIES: ‘Dwarf Shishi’ HARDINESS RATING: H4 TYPICAL HEIGHT: 80-100cm TYPICAL SPREAD: 80-100cm FLOWERS: PINK FLOWERING PERIOD: WINTER 16) Hebe BOTANICAL NAME: VERONICA RECOMMENDED VARIETIES: ‘Margret’ (Pictured), ‘Pascal’, ‘Wiri Dawn’ HARDINESS RATING: H4 TYPICAL HEIGHT: 30-50cm TYPICAL SPREAD: 30-50cm FLOWERS: PINK / PURPLE FLOWERING PERIOD: SUMMER – AUTUMN 17) Fuchsia RECOMMENDED VARIETIES: ‘Marinka’ (Pictured), ‘Billy Green’, ‘Herald’ HARDINESS RATING: TYPICALLY H2-H4 TYPICAL HEIGHT: 30-50cm TYPICAL SPREAD: 30-50cm FLOWERS: PINK / RED / PURPLE FLOWERING PERIOD: SUMMER – AUTUMN 18) Shrubby Mullein BOTANICAL NAME: Verbascum dumulosum HARDINESS RATING: H4 TYPICAL HEIGHT: 20-30cm TYPICAL SPREAD: 30-50cm FLOWERS: YELLOW FLOWERING PERIOD: SPRING – SUMMER 19) Rock Rose BOTANICAL NAME: Helianthemum RECOMMENDED VARIETIES: ‘The Bride’ (Pictured), ‘Jubilee’ HARDINESS RATING: H4 TYPICAL HEIGHT: 25-30cm TYPICAL SPREAD: 25-30cm FLOWERS: VARIES FLOWERING PERIOD: SPRING – SUMMER Think Small But Mighty! By now you should be brimming with inspiration about all the best small flowering shrubs and bushes for your garden. With so many to choose from, it’s easy to see how quickly you will be able to fill your garden with beautiful little plants with attractive blooms and luscious leaves. Remember to take time to research the needs of each of your chosen shrubs and bushes to make sure you are giving them the best start in life. Do so, and they will reward you with a colourful and visually interesting throughout the year. Whether you are limited on space or just want to create a more diverse look for your garden, it’s clear to see that though these flowering shrubs and bushes are small, they are indeed mighty. We wish you the best of luck with your small flowering shrubs and bushes!
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These Remarkable Long-Flowering Perennials Will Keep Your Garden Bursting With Life
IN THIS GUIDE Maintain Plants For Longer Flowering 1) English Lavender 2) Catmint 3) Dahlias 4) Yarrow 5) Hardy Geraniums 6) Spiderwort 7) Daylily 8) Butterfly Bush 9) Pincushions 10) Black-Eyed Susan 11) Masterwort 12) Penstemons 13) Peruvian Lily 14) Coneflower 15) Geums 16) Stonecrop 17) Clematis 18) Phlox 19) Amsonia 20) Bellflower 21) Valerian 22) Wallflower 23) Carnations 24) Aster 25) Hydrangea References When the peak gardening season kicks in, you want your garden to be bursting with life and colour, and long-flowering perennials are just the ticket. Many perennials will offer second blooms to help prevent gaps in your garden, with little maintenance or additional planting required. “A perennial is a plant with a life that exceeds two years,” shares Dan Ori, a Master Horticulturist. “Some perennials are tender and need protection in the winter, but in the UK the term perennial is usually used for hardy plants.” With some, you simply have to remove the flowers before they start seeding, and this will encourage another burst of flowers. Maintain Plants For Longer Flowering Other perennials just need to be cut back entirely after their first round of flowering, and should reflower again if fed and watered. We also recommend deadheading to promote more prolonged flowering and help your garden to look its best for as long as possible. Deadheading prompts plants to direct their energy into new flowers rather than seed generation.1 To get the most out of your garden, we recommend planting in a mix of early, mid-year, and late bloomers. This will keep things as colourful as possible, for as much of the year as possible. There are lots of long-flowering perennials to choose from, all requiring different levels of care and maintenance – we’ve written this list to help you get started: 1) English Lavender BOTANICAL NAME: Lavandula angustifolia HARDINESS RATING: H5 POSITION: FULL SUN; PROTECTED FLOWERING SEASON: SUMMER POSSIBLE FLOWERING MONTHS: JUNE – JULY With its fragrant leaves and long-blooming purple flowers, lavender has always been a firm favourite in English gardens. Whether you have a country cottage garden or a more modern, contemporary design, lavender will always fit in and, as it can be grown in containers, it is perfect for even the most modest-sized spaces. Lavender should be planted in spring from March to May in well-drained soil in a sunny, sheltered spot. You’ll be rewarded with gorgeous flowers from late spring and all the way through summer. They also attract bees and other important pollinators to your garden, so they really are a must-have.2 2) Catmint BOTANICAL NAME: Nepeta cataria HARDINESS RATING: H7 POSITION: Full Sun; Exposed or Protected FLOWERING SEASON: SUMMER / AUTUMN POSSIBLE FLOWERING MONTHS: MAY – AUGUST Nepeta, or catmint, is also well-loved by pollinators, and this aromatic beauty blooms from late spring to the middle of autumn, producing gorgeous clusters of lavender-blue flowers. Catmint is easy to grow, and you should plant it out in spring. For best results, plant it in sun or partial shade and in average to well-draining soil. “This plant is considered a great companion for vegetable patches as it is thought its essential oils deter insects when used as edging, but there is more study is needed to determine what beneficial and detrimental insects might be affected,” shares Dan. Take care to deadhead them to encourage further flowering. 3) Dahlias HARDINESS RATING: H3 POSITION: FULL SUN; PROTECTED FLOWERING SEASON: SUMMER / AUTUMN POSSIBLE FLOWERING MONTHS: JULY – OCTOBER If well cared for and deadheaded when necessary, Dahlias can put on their show from midsummer all the way through until the arrival of frost. With colours ranging from pretty pastels to boastful brights, Dahlias make a real statement in any garden. These little showstoppers should be planted during late May to mid-June, depending on one when the frost has ended. Dahlias prefer a sunny site in free-draining, lighter soil and you can boost your stocks by cutting and division, or by growing new plants from seed. 4) Yarrow BOTANICAL NAME: ACHILLEA HARDINESS RATING: H7 POSITION: FULL SUN; EXPOSED OR PROTECTED FLOWERING SEASON: SUMMER POSSIBLE FLOWERING MONTHS: JUNE – OCTOBER One of the longest flowering perennials, yarrow is a bee and butterfly magnet. It makes a lovely addition to herb gardens and flower beds. Yarrow can be planted from October to March in full sun, and while it can thrive in almost any soil types, it much prefers well-drained soil. This plant will produce adorable clusters of flowers in a vast range of colours, and by cutting it back thoroughly in late summer, you encourage fresh foliage and blooms. 5) Hardy Geraniums HARDINESS RATING: H7 POSITION: Full Sun or Part Shade; Exposed or Protected FLOWERING SEASON: SUMMER / AUTUMN POSSIBLE FLOWERING MONTHS: JUNE – OCTOBER Reliable and long flowering, hardy geraniums can flower from April through till September in a variety of colours. Tolerating both sun and shade they are best planted in well-drained soil and, if cut back after flowering, they will usually produce a second wave of blooms. Hardy geraniums are also great self-seeders, and you will often find them flourishing in tiny cracks and spaces. They are also well-loved by pollinators such as bees and hoverflies and provide a long season of nectar and pollen. 6) Spiderwort BOTANICAL NAME: Tradescantia HARDINESS RATING: H6 POSITION: PART SHADE; PROTECTED FLOWERING SEASON: SUMMER / AUTUMN POSSIBLE FLOWERING MONTHS: JUNE – SEPTEMBER Resilient and easy to grow, tradescantias are short-lived; however, they frequently flower and have superb grassy foliage. Producing unusual, three petalled flowers and thriving in a range of soils, this perennial is perfect for hanging baskets as well as for ground colour and filling gaps in borders. Flowering from late spring to late summer this cheerful and charming plant is a beautiful addition to any garden. 7) Daylily BOTANICAL NAME: Hemerocallis HARDINESS RATING: H6/7 POSITION: Full Sun or Part Shade; Exposed or Protected FLOWERING SEASON: SUMMER POSSIBLE FLOWERING MONTHS: JUNE – AUGUST Also known as hemerocallis, this pretty little plant produces lily-like flowers that only last a day or two, but thankfully, in such an abundance that they span the period from spring to late summer. With many colours to choose from, ranging from vibrant yellows and oranges to deep, burgundy-red, these plants bring a valuable flash of colour and life to your garden. Plant hemerocallis in free-draining, fertile soil avoiding heavy shade as well as borders that are prone to drying out come summer. 8) Butterfly Bush BOTANICAL NAME: BUDDLEJA HARDINESS RATING: H6 POSITION: Full Sun or Part Shade; Exposed or Protected FLOWERING SEASON: SUMMER / AUTUMN POSSIBLE FLOWERING MONTHS: JULY – OCTOBER Also known as butterfly bushes, this deciduous perennial typically blooms from June through to September. It can reach up to eight feet in height and sometimes more producing long pinnacles of blue and purple clusters of purple and blue flowers. Buddlejas should be planted in full sun and well-drained soil and should be watered slowly and deeply during dry spells. They are low maintenance and just require deadheading after flowering to prevent them from self-seeding. As the name suggests, butterfly bushes are well-loved by butterflies as well as lots of other pollinators and beneficial insects. 9) Pincushions BOTANICAL NAME: SCABIOSA HARDINESS RATING: H4 POSITION: Full Sun; Exposed or Protected FLOWERING SEASON: SUMMER POSSIBLE FLOWERING MONTHS: JULY – SEPTEMBER Although a meadow-flower, scabious looks equally at home in a more formal, manicured garden and are also a wonderful gap-filler. Flowering from June through to late August, this perennial comes in many colours, including white, blue and deep red. Scabious prefer full sunlight but they will tolerate some shade and should be planted in moist, well-drained soil. One single scabious can produce over two thousand seeds, which makes them a favourite amongst birds. 10) Black-Eyed Susan BOTANICAL NAME: Rudbeckia HARDINESS RATING: H6 POSITION: Full Sun or Part Shade; Exposed or Protected FLOWERING SEASON: SUMMER / AUTUMN POSSIBLE FLOWERING MONTHS: JUNE – SEPTEMBER With their daisy-like appearance that blooms for weeks, this prolific perennial will bring a nonstop cacophony of colour to your late-summer garden, typically flourishing from late June until the first frost. Black-eyed Susan requires minimum effort and care and should be planted in full sun and well-drained soil. Dead-heading will help prompt repeated flowering, and they are enthusiastic self-seeders. You can also cut back this plant to encourage another burst of blooms in Autumn. These care-free wildflowers are a great way to attract birds into your garden. 11) Masterwort BOTANICAL NAME: ASTRANTIA HARDINESS RATING: H7 POSITION: Full Sun or Part Shade; Exposed or Protected FLOWERING SEASON: SUMMER POSSIBLE FLOWERING MONTHS: MAY – AUGUST These sophisticated shade-lovers sport showy, star-like flowers in a range of different colours. They also happen to be slug and snail-proof, making them an ideal asset for any border. Astrantias should be planted in heavy, damp soil in full sun or dappled shade. They will also benefit highly from home-made compost or leaf mulch. Flowering from June to August, this plant provides a long season of colour and, by cutting the plant back after flowering, you can expect more foliage and more flowers. 12) Penstemons HARDINESS RATING: H4 POSITION: Full Sun or Part Shade; Exposed or Protected FLOWERING SEASON: SUMMER / AUTUMN POSSIBLE FLOWERING MONTHS: JUNE – OCTOBER If your border is lacking colour in late summer, then this plant will make an immediate impact. This perennial can suffer in winter, so we recommend waiting to cut back until late Spring. Plant in groups of three or five and this plant will reward you with flowers right up to the first frost. 13) Peruvian Lily BOTANICAL NAME: Alstroemeria HARDINESS RATING: H4 POSITION: PART SHADE; PROTECTED FLOWERING SEASON: SPRING / SUMMER / AUTUMN POSSIBLE FLOWERING MONTHS: MAY – OCTOBER Alstroemeria – or ‘Peruvian Lily’ – is a perennial flower native to South America. It’s most likely to flower between the months of June and August, though you may see some varieties bloom earlier or later. They will do best in a sheltered area that receives at least partial shade throughout the day. There are many hybrids of this bushy plant and you can expect to grow many different colours and varieties – each with its own flowering period. As it is only H4 hardy, you will need to offer some protection to the roots if you’d like the plant to return the following year. Mulching well before cold weather and frosts set in is usually the best option. 14) Coneflower BOTANICAL NAME: Echinacea HARDINESS RATING: H5 POSITION: Full Sun or Part Shade; Exposed or Protected FLOWERING SEASON: SUMMER / AUTUMN POSSIBLE FLOWERING MONTHS: JULY – SEPTEMBER The most popular variety of Echinacea, Echinacea purpurea (or ‘Purple Coneflower’) is a well-known favourite here in the UK, where it is H5 hardy. You can expect its large, showy flowers to bloom in the summer months and attract a range of pollinators to your garden. Those in full sun will generally flower better (and for longer), though they will still do well in part shade. 15) Geums BOTANICAL NAME: AVENS HARDINESS RATING: H7 POSITION: Full Sun; Exposed or Protected FLOWERING SEASON: SPRING / SUMMER / AUTUMN POSSIBLE FLOWERING MONTHS: MAY – OCTOBER Geums are hardy perennials that are commonly used as companion plants – especially in wildflower and cottage garden planting schemes. They look great with campanula, hardy geraniums, hellebores and many other flowering perennial plants. They have a very long flowering season and will usually appear in late-spring – sometimes lasting all the way until autumn. Plant in full sun and divide every 3-4 years for the best results in your garden. 16) Stonecrop BOTANICAL NAME: SEDUM HARDINESS RATING: H7 POSITION: FULL SUN; EXPOSED FLOWERING SEASON: SUMMER / AUTUMN POSSIBLE FLOWERING MONTHS: AUGUST – OCTOBER 17) Clematis HARDINESS RATING: VARIES POSITION: VARIES FLOWERING SEASON: ALL POSSIBLE FLOWERING MONTHS: YEAR-ROUND 18) Phlox HARDINESS RATING: H7 POSITION: Full Sun or Part Shade; Exposed or Protected FLOWERING SEASON: SUMMER / AUTUMN POSSIBLE FLOWERING MONTHS: JULY – SEPTEMBER 19) Amsonia HARDINESS RATING: H5 POSITION: Full Sun or Part Shade; Exposed or Protected FLOWERING SEASON: SPRING / SUMMER POSSIBLE FLOWERING MONTHS: MAY – JULY 20) Bellflower BOTANICAL NAME: CAMPANULA HARDINESS RATING: VARIES POSITION: Full Sun or Part Shade; Exposed or Protected FLOWERING SEASON: SUMMER POSSIBLE FLOWERING MONTHS: JUNE – AUGUST 21) Valerian BOTANICAL NAME: VALERIANA OFFICINALIS HARDINESS RATING: H4 POSITION: Full Sun or Part Shade; Exposed or Protected FLOWERING SEASON: SUMMER POSSIBLE FLOWERING MONTHS: JULY – OCTOBER 22) Wallflower BOTANICAL NAME: ERYSIMUM HARDINESS RATING: H5 POSITION: Full Sun; Exposed or Protected FLOWERING SEASON: SPRING / SUMMER POSSIBLE FLOWERING MONTHS: MARCH – AUGUST 23) Carnations BOTANICAL NAME: DIANTHUS HARDINESS RATING: H6/7 POSITION: Full Sun or Part Shade; Protected FLOWERING SEASON: SPRING / SUMMER / AUTUMN POSSIBLE FLOWERING MONTHS: MAY – OCTOBER 24) Aster HARDINESS RATING: H6/7 POSITION: Full Sun; Exposed or Protected FLOWERING SEASON: SUMMER / AUTUMN POSSIBLE FLOWERING MONTHS: AUGUST – OCTOBER 25) Hydrangea HARDINESS RATING: H5 POSITION: Full Sun or Part Shade; Exposed or Protected FLOWERING SEASON: SUMMER / AUTUMN POSSIBLE FLOWERING MONTHS: AUGUST – OCTOBER References 1. Deadheading plants. (n.d.). Royal Horticultural Society. Retrieved March 20, 2023, from https://www.rhs.org.uk/garden-jobs/deadheading-plants 2. Benjamin, A. (2013, October 17). Love buzz: bees most attracted to lavender and marjoram, study finds. The Guardian. Retrieved March 20, 2023, from https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2013/oct/17/bees-most-attracted-lavender-marjoram
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