Publications
Partners
Use plants for a purpose
There are various different ways to use plants:
Design of garden beds
The best shape for a garden bed is a gentle curve. Groups of plants can be arranged informally in the beds, with the tallest growing plants at the back and the smallest in front.
Draw a sketch plan
Make a drawing of your garden area, noting which areas are sunny (morning and afternoon), which are shady and which direction the dominant wind comes from. Then draw in any pathways, driveways or other paved areas. Next mark where you want to plant trees for shade (if you have the space), screens for privacy and windbreaks. Then draw where you want your lawn (if applicable) and beds for flowers and shrubs. If you're going to make a food garden it must be a sunny area.
The backbone of your garden...
First plant the bigger trees and shrubs that will create a framework for your garden, then smaller shrubs and perennials. You don't want to end up with an enormous tree that completely takes over your small garden. You also need to make sure that you don't plant trees to close to buildings or other structures (some trees have roots that can damage walls and foundations). If you don't have space for trees, large shrubs can provide windbreaks. Once your framework has been created, you can fill in the gaps with a variety of herbaceous perennials such as agapanthus, day lilies, irises, watsonias, wild garlic, bulbinella, pelargoniums and many more.
...and then the colour
Annuals are the simplest to grow, as you get them as tiny seedlings (or seeds) that are easy to plant. They grow for just one season, dying back after flowering – although many of them like vygies, lobelias, alyssum, nasturtiums and violas, will seed them selves and pop up the following year. They are planted for their beautiful colour during the flowering season. Among other good annuals are marigolds, petunias, pansies, phlox, stocks and larkspurs.
Published by Jet Club Magazine.
