Helpful plant guide..

New Garden Shopping List

2010 saw 160,000 new homes built and if you’re a new homeowner, you’ve probably been presented with a blank canvas in the way of garden. Even for the experienced gardener, having to start from scratch can be daunting so to help you plan for a fabulous garden in 2012 here are some of the different planting varieties to consider.

It may help you to look through magazines, pick out pictures of gardens you like the look of and you’ll soon discover a “theme” on which you can base your design.   If you are away from home alot or aren’t an avid gardener, consider incorporating more of the low maintenance planting varieties.

Clematis "President" is a prolific climber

Climbers
Ideal to add height and a third dimension to a smaller garden, or to screen off sections of a much larger plot, climbers are really versatile plants.  The thing to remember is how big a climber can grow – big usually equals fast, and while hard pruning can keep them in check, it may reduce their flowering capabilities.

Palms
Create a desert-island paradise decorated with palm trees, but use the tougher ones such as cabbage palm (cordyline) and the Chusan palm (trachycarpus) outdoors in sheltered spots. Tender kinds need to be
brought under cover in winter.

Hedging provides good boundary division

Hedging
Give some thought to your boundary. If you have a fence erected there may be no need to plant hedging. Also, check with your deeds before planting hedging at the front or sides of your property as you may find a covenant restricting this. Leafy hedges need clipping twice a year if you like them to look perfect – clip them in early summer and again at the end of summer, and they’ll never look scruffy.

Don’t make the last cut too late in the season, as clipping encourages a lot of soft young growth, which can suffer if it is hit by a late frost

Trees
Planting trees in close groups of three gives a more natural appearance, but obviously this will be governed by the plot size.  Roughly speaking for decorative trees, plant them the same distance away from the house as the height they will grow to.

Japanese maples (acers) come into their own in Autumn, as they change from the green of summer to flaming autumnal red and orange. Ideally these like a fertile lime-free soil with plenty of organic matter in a very sheltered site with light shade.

Grasses are great fillers in borders

Grasses
Evergreen grasses are a good bet for year-round looks. Cut herbaceous grasses down close to the ground in spring, so the dead rubbish is out of the way before new growth comes through. The craze for grasses means we also have seedheads that look good well into winter

Alpines
Another low maintenance answer to creating a colourful feature in your garden is an alpine collection.  Place a few tasteful rocks, or set some pieces of slate on edge to suggest natural rock strata, then stand your alpines in place – still in their pots – while you arrange them. Alternatively, a trough or sink planted with alpines will guarantee a burst of spring colour – finish off with a top dressing of fine granite chippings.

Do check on the size you are buying and the space you have

Conifers
Again, check the size on plant labels and ensure you have enough room to plant conifers.  They can provide good privacy and dwarf varieties make a good evergreen framework for spring planting.  When buying new conifers, keep the soil moist around a newly planted conifer by sinking a plastic lemonade bottle with the bottom cut off, to make a funnel, alongside the plant, so you can channel the water straight down to the roots.

Heathers
Most heathers grow better in lime-free soil, so if you have very chalky soil, try growing them in containers using a lime-free (ericaceous) potting compost. Mulch with chipped bark after planting to keep weeds at bay and keep the soil moist. Heather makes a good evergreen ground cover for sunny sites.

Ferns prefer a shady, moist spot

Ferns
Ideal for shady areas with minimal sunlight, ferns are no fuss plants which exist happily in moist soil, so bear this in mind if you are planning to include them in your planting scheme.

Rhododendrons
Rhododendrons only grow happily in lime-free soil. If you are saddled with chalky soil, the best way to grow them is in containers, using a lime-free (ericaceous) potting compost.

Pinch out dead flower heads carefully without damaging the shoots.

Azalea's like lime-free soil

Azaleas
Deciduous azaleas are brilliant for autumn foliage and spring flowers. Azaleas perform better in lime-free soil,
so if you have very chalky soil, try growing them in containers using a lime-free (ericaceous) potting compost, and
water with rainwater.

Camellias
Camellias do very well when they are trained against a sheltered wall in a smallish garden, since that way they take up less room. Camellias need well-drained, fertile lime-free soil, in a sheltered site in light shade – they’re also good
for growing in tubs of ericaceous compost.

Roses add scent, colour and romance to a garden

Roses
Remember to remove the flower heads (deadhead) when they are past their best, to encourage new blooms.

Bush roses need annual pruning between January and March to ensure health and prolong flowering
Plant in soil improved with compost and a handful of general-purpose fertiliser

Shrubs
Evergreen shrubs add year-round form to any garden whilst flowering deciduous shrubs are ideal for
adding seasonal highlights to a border.

The RHS Plant Finder is a great resource that you can use when planning your garden – simply put in the type of plant for the location and type of soil and the plant finder will come up with a range of different suggestions for you.