planting

Designers will often talk about ‘softening’ edges or marking transitions in your garden. A solid structure can often lead to harsh boundaries, right angles and edges. Well thought out planting will not only soften these edges but bring them alive, turning the edge to a key focal point in the garden.

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The low golden sun shining and sparkling on frosty hedges, branches and foliage is a wonder of the season, and is something to be truly celebrated.

The lyrics to "In the bleak midwinter" don't offer the best encouragement for getting out in the garden. But with a few thoughtful planting choices you can be "Walking in a winter wonderland!"

Although you may not want to be out in the garden that much in the depths of winter, it is still important to provide yourself with enticing views from the house.

Most important are front gardens and pathways to your doors. These are places that - in rain, sleet and snow - you'll be passing through on a daily basis.

And it's where you welcome your visitors. These are places you want to feel proud of, and to get great enjoyment from, in all seasons.
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Container-grown hedging plants are perfect for planting all year round.

Generally speaking, hedging is put in the ground over winter, using young bareroot plants when they are dormant.

However, some circumstances call for a more instant, mature hedge – which is where container-grown (or potted) hedging plants play their part.
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One of the joys of gardening is that patience is usually rewarded.

Plants increase in size and impact as time passes and fruit trees are no exception.

Understandably, however, an oft repeated question runs along the lines of "how do I get more fruit, more quickly?"

There are a number of golden rules in gardening but the most important of them all is summed up in "as ye sow so shall ye reap."
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Most of the damage caused to bareroot plants in cold, freezing conditions is to the delicate roots themselves.

The roots are fine, fibrous structures with a high water content: moving them, or even the slightest touch whilst frozen, can cause damage.

Almost all of a shrub or a tree's energy reserves are stored in the roots during winter. So broken roots mean that stored energy is lost, and this reduces the plant’s ability to establish. And poor establishment means poor growth in spring.

Worse still, if root damage is serious, the plant may not grow at all.
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Way back in 1975, National Tree Week was launched to raise awareness of the huge role that trees play in all of our lives.

It is also scheduled to coincide with the start of the winter tree planting season, when there are plenty of opportunities nationwide for individuals and communities to get involved.

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