LET 'EM SMOKE

It wasn't too many years ago when a night in the pub resulted in your clothes smelling of smoke the following day, irrespective of your wish to partake in the habit. Being a non-smoker, it was most annoying but something you got used to. So when the government put a total ban on this activity in pubs, I was somewhat pleased of the outcome.  I guess the majority of people were and still are. 

And here I am in 2012, about to embark on a masterclass at Great Dixter by Fergus Garrett, a question put to me about smoking. 'Do you know how to prune a cotinus?' A cautious reply of 'Yes', as I looked across to the fine specimen in the topiary lawn at the back of the house about to be attacked by 'secateur provokateur.' My smug response is on the understanding that wood produced the previous year will give you the flowers (these tiny flowers resembling a plume of smoke - hence the common name of the smoke bush) and any wood that is pruned now would provide the foliage effect. It's down to the effect you wanted. Simple eh!

As Fergus was politely listening to my brief explanation, you could sense another dimension that was about to come my way.  'What we want…' he began in a round-about-way I must add, '…is to let the bush smoke whilst encouraging fresh foliage; therefore, adding another layer of interest whilst maintaining the character of the old scrawny specimen.'

Gathered around the shrub, along with other international students, our notebooks and pencils in hand, Fergus began to explain how each year your intervention will take on a different analysis and he masterly demonstrated how to assess the plant and decide on what effect you're wanting to achieve.  A superb 5 minute masterclass followed and away he went, leaving you in deep thought.  Notebook in hand, and analysing the plant that had lived happily at Dixter for many a year, out came the secateurs. Snip, snip, the odd umm and occasions where I kept asking myself, 'should I take that out or shorten it?' followed.  Fergus kept popping back to see if all was ok; invariably the words, '…more out Bob.'  In the end, it looked good and I hope the effect will be pleasing to the eye as it develops this year sat amongst the meadow. 

So, if you're at Dixter in 2012, you will see all-too-well that a total smoking ban should be avoided.

YOU'VE GOT TO PICK A PACKET OR TWO

After the Christmas festivities have come to a close, work will once again beckon and, in addition to the seasonal tasks that need to be undertaken, ordering seeds in readiness for the profusion of colour that we anticipate later in the year should be at the top of your ‘to-do’ list.’  At a time when we’re all feeling the pinch, growing plants from seed is a cheap way to give your suburban oasis that wow factor…and very satisfying.

Annuals have had to live with years of a bad image; stumpy plants bred by over - adventurous breeders and poor arrangements displayed around our parks and front gardens have all contributed to their diminishing appeal and attraction. It wasn't until I engaged in some study at Great Dixter just less than 5 years ago that I became acutely aware of the role they can play in enhancing our borders. Used creatively, they really provide good value and the choices available from reputable seed companies are virtually endless.

There are many I want to try in addition to the old stalwarts. It would be hard to be without cosmos, sweetpea and the little gem of poppy called Papaver commutatum 'Ladybird.' Others I want to experiment with are Ageratum 'Blue Horizon' - possibly in combination with a pink cosmos - and a new and exiting one called H. 'Red Sea' (as seen in the picture) placed alongside Salvia 'Blue Enigma.' This was taken at Great Dixter during the second week of November and, as usual, Fergus Garrett used it in the most creative way. Another plant that was highlighted was Erigeron annuus - the annual fleebane. Growing to about 2 to 3 feet, these dainty little flowers could be used alongside a more flamboyant shape such as a dahlia and the spires of salvia.  It has an exceptionally long flowering season so it's well worth giving it a go. Finally, Ammi visnaga, whose delicate white and green domed flowers is hard to resist. Planted against a larkspur or a campanula, the combination would be hard to resist.

Growing plants from seeds will not be to everyone's liking but whether plant or vegetable, growing your own is certainly worth a go and very rewarding. If you need any assistance my advisory service could be just the ticket, so please feel free to contact me.

BANGERS AND...FLOWERS

October has seen some quite bizarre weather temperatures, so-much-so, we've unpacked our summer clothes that were all put away for another year, we've search high and low for the last remnants of the sun tan cream - to avoid buying another bottle and, hoping that we have sufficient gas in the cylinder or charcoal in the bag for the BBQ.

These warm Indian summers provide an ideal opportunity to spend time outdoors in your garden with family and friends. Sadly, many gardens have been put to bed with no further interest to engage the owners and the scene is more barren than beauty.

With an array of plants at your disposal, creating a border that provides year round interest is easier said than done. Above all else, the key thing to remember is to choose the right plant for the right place. If your garden is in full shade, herbs such as rosemary and thyme will not thrive and probably not survive.  Alternatively, if your border gets sun all day long, ferns would be a questionable choice.

If you have your own ideas but just get confused with the plethora of plants at your disposal, my consultancy service may be just the ticket. Alternatively, if you would like me to personally design your borders for all year round interest, please feel free to drop me a line for a no obligation site visit.

For 2012 try to get the most from your garden and remember: not to pack away the summer clothes too early, there’s always an opportunity to use-up any leftover suntan cream and ensure your tomato ketchup is always at hand to apply generously to those well cooked bangers!

BACK TO SCHOOL

As the school holidays are about to come to a close, most parents will be breathing a sigh of relief for some form of normality to return to the family household. A mid-morning coffee break can be enjoyed without any disruptions, or guilt, and a few minutes of peaceful uninterrupted pottering in the garden provides some much needed therapy. Since it’s been a few weeks since you were able to 'potter' to your hearts content, the garden will have undoubtedly taken on a different mood and new plants will have taken over the mantle as others pack-up-shop for another year.

Plants that are taking the garden by storm at this time of year are the ornamental grasses.  They provide movement, structure and look wonderful when planted amongst other plants. On their own, they look rather monotonous but with plants such as eupatorium, asters, dahlias, heleniums and a strategically placed box - for a touch of solidity - these combinations can look very satisfying. 

Apart from plants, we also have an eclectic choice of bulbs to satisfy our needs.  In addition to the obvious bulbs we plant in autumn for a display the following spring, there are some bulbs that react to the lowering of soil temperatures and, in turn, flower in the autumn. These include colchicums and autumn crocuses. To add interest, why not try them amongst Alchemilla mollis. If you were to cut this hard back in July you would have a fresh covering of green leaves, which in turn would provide a pleasing blanket whilst protecting the delicate blooms of the colchicums.  Other combinations could also include Vinca minor, as Beth Chatto has done in her garden at Essex or, as at Great Dixter, amongst Adiantum venustum; both providing a pleasing under carpet.

If the weather is kind, September days and evenings are still pleasurable. The garden takes on a different mood but equally satisfying and rewarding. There are many more weeks of enjoyment still to come, so when the kids are upstairs doing their homework take some time-out to potter and enjoy your garden.

YOU CANNOT BE SERIOUS!

It’s the time of year for strawberries and cream and that oh-so English of sports  - Tennis. Seeing the players perform their wizardry captivates millions of people and the technology of the infamous Hawk-Eye brings extra excitement and anticipation to the game.

Wimbledon has to be one of the most prestigious tournaments in the tennis calendar and the grass surface is without doubt, the envy of many.  A dedicated team of highly trained ground staff ensure the surface looks impeccable and it leaves you wondering what on earth went wrong with your own lawn.  Weeds, holes, patches and uneven surfaces are all too familiar sightings and you begin to wonder if the illusive carpet of green will evade you for another year.

The simple fact of the matter is that anyone can have a lovely lawn without spending ridiculous amounts of money or endless hours deliberating your next course of action.  By getting some professional help, a lawn care programme can be implemented and in next to no time at all, you will be pouring the pimms, enjoying some strawberries and cream and admiring your green carpet.

My basic lawn care programme ensures your lawn gets the right nutrients throughout the year.  Additional procedures such as: scarification, re-seeding and the timely application of herbicides and fungicides, should you so wish, ensures your summer time in the garden focuses on enjoyment and relaxation and not spending endless hours slaving away. Give me a call and you too can have your own Wimbledon. You cannot be serious! I most certainly can.

IT'S A GOLD!

RHS Chelsea turned out to be another vintage year. The show gardens, both large and small, and plant exhibits were outstanding - creativity and plantmanship at their best. Seeing perfection and witnessing excellence is priceless. We all need inspiring from time-to-time and that’s what Chelsea is all about; seeing and taking ideas to suit your own private space and needs.

Bringing these elements together is easier said than done but an awareness of the plant’s growing conditions is a must. Dry shade, damp open ground, free draining, acid or alkaline; these are just some aspects that need to be thought-out before you commit to that beautifully arranged group you saw in one of the displays or gardens.

In addition to the plethora of gardening advice via books and online websites, I can offer an outstanding personal horticultural service. Whether you need help cultivating the soil, designing a border or advice on the final positioning of those Chelsea stars, Suburban Oasis could be just the ticket.  Likewise, if a particular patch needs rejuvenating or your borders need some human intervention, I can provide a maintenance programme to suit your needs, so please feel free to contact me. I will work with you to replicate your favoured Chelsea look and in no time at all you will be awarding yourself your own Gold medal.

IT'S A RIGHT ROYAL DO

We are experiencing a period of warm and dry weather normally associated with July and with Easter rapidly approaching, not to mention the big occasion in London, I’m sure many of you will be happy to spend some time relaxing in front of the telly, or doing a bit of pottering in the garden.

This is one of the busiest weekends for the garden centres so, whether you want to purchase plants for your borders or tubs, leaving empty-handed is not a likely outcome! If you decide to splash out with some of your well-earned cash, it’s important that each plant has the very best start in life so WATER is the vital ingredient. Not only do you need to ensure the potting medium is well hydrated before the plants leave this cosseted environment but also to make sure they are thoroughly watered once they are put into their final resting place. However, it must be stressed that watering alone doesn’t guarantee success, so increase the chance of survival and spend a little more time in preparing the ground with some manure – or the like - and give it a feed with a compound fertilizer. Either growmore or fish, blood and bone, if you want the organic equivalent. If you’re planting up a tub or container, use a good quality compost.

Planting-up your new purchases may be a burden rather than an achievement, so if you’re a little unsure of what to do, contact me. I will happily work alongside you, giving tips and useful advice along the way.

With so much on offer, taking a leisurely walk around the garden centre can be quite daunting and creating that ‘wow’ factor in your garden is easier said than done; maybe a red, white and blue theme could be deemed fitting. I think it’s a combination of colours that may well turn up on our streets pretty soon, not to mention our gardens; happy Easter and congratulations to the soon-to-be happy Royal couple.

TAMING MOTHER NATURE

March is one of the busiest months of the year and, despite the magnetism to clean up the perennials within your border, the pruning of shrubs is still pretty much at the top of our agenda. Interestingly, it is a subject where most confusion and concern generally lurks. If not tackled properly, or even worse total ignored, you will end up with an overgrown mess in next to no time, not to mention a gradual reduction in blooms as the years slip by.  A simple rule of thumb is, if it flowers in spring cut back after it has flowered, if it flowers later in the year cut it back now. However, apart from this rather simplistic generic overview, there are other useful observations the gardener could bear in mind if your intention is to ensure your plant looks good year-on-year and to keep it within its boundaries.

Irrespective of shrub or plant, you will always need to remove dead, damaged and diseased wood (the 3d’s). This should be followed, particularly with roses and other such plants where you are trying to create an open centre, by removing crossing branches that restrict airflow and increase the risk of pests and disease.  If, after these first two tasks you are left in a deep moment of ponder, select the weak stems - the no hopers.  Finally, when you have completed a couple of further removals, any initial indecision will diminish; leaving you upbeat and positive to finish the task in hand.

Unfortunately, books seem only to provide the ideal specimen and many gardeners, realistically, are confronted with a tangled, old, woody mess to look at and control. A case in point could be an overgrown weigela or philadelphus; two common shrubs found in so many gardens. If this is your scenario, simply remove one third of old growth in any one-year, until the shrub has been completely rejuvenated.  The rulebook would have you do this task in the summer, after they have flowered, but done now, no vegetation will hinder your view and you will be able to easily identify the long whips of unbranched, dark brown shoots. Again, always think of the natural shape you are be aiming to achieve.

Hydrangeas are another common plant we find in our gardens.  Many of them will have become neglected and cluttered and, when the job of cutting back is forced upon the carer (invariably to ground level), any chance of flowering for the year will be lost. So, to give the plant a good, long life, simply cut back the dried flowers (which help provide winter protection) to healthy leaf buds and remove some of the older wood, at the base, to help control the spread.  Remember to keep the dark ‘whip like’ brown shoots untouched, as these will host this year’s flowers.  Once you have finished, the plant will have open space within its territory and be able to provide you with a feast of uncluttered colour for the coming year.

This is a very brief overview of pruning and there are many books that provide concise explanations for every genus. Above all else, it’s trying to be instinctive. Learning about a plant’s natural environment, choosing plants that will thrive in the condition they are intended and ensuring we encourage good healthy growth and flowering potential by regular pruning. This is, after all, where we can have our control and tame mother nature.  If we don' t intervene, mother nature will soon have the last say.

If you need any advice or a helping hand, call me or drop me an email. Happy gardening!

SEEDS OF JOY

Whilst the quieter months of winter tend to limit our activity in the garden, it does nevertheless, enable us to leisurely browse through the numerous seed catalogues.  The range of flowers and vegetables that are available to us is quite staggering. Unfortunately, if it’s not the edible kind, we seem reluctant to commit ourselves to growing a plant, preferably waiting to purchase mature plants when seen in the garden centre - at a much higher cost as well.

Annuals are some of the easiest plants to grow and they provide a great feeling of success for little expense.  You can have them planted en-masse, in tubs to form part of a pot display or, interplanted amongst existing shrubs or perennials.

Sometimes, in order to get your seeds to coincide with the flowering times of other plants, you can treat them as a biennial and sow in the autumn; therefore, giving them a head start. Alternatively sow about February for a later display. It was during my study time at Great Dixter that I came across a delightful poppy, Papaver commutatum ‘Ladybird.’ So much was its attraction that I tried it last year and had great success. Deep red petals, each with a black blotch at the base gave a scrumptious natural display, especially when weaved through the borders. Against the acid green of a Euphorbia or, the common ladies mantle (Alchemilla mollis), it can look very appealing; the combinations are limitless.

There’s plenty to be thinking about for the forthcoming seasons, so the best of luck with your ‘annual quest.’ Give them a go and don’t leave it too late to book your order! I can certainly advocate growing your own; whether plant or vegetable. It gives a great sense of achievement and doesn’t cost much either.

If you need any advice, please feel free to contact me. Spring is literally around the corner so get ahead of the game and enjoy shopping.

A GOOD PARTNERSHIP

After another long and ever extending festive season, the bells have eventually struck at the twelth hour to herald a new year, another decade and a list of New Year' s resolutions.

January can be a pretty bleak, cold and drizzly month, although growth is stirring beneath us. For now, some of the underrated stars that provide a 'good-punch' are from trees and shrubs such as: Betula (birch) and Cornus (dogwoods). Around the base of these specimens - where you wouldn't dare to go in with a spade or fork - you could try a succession of interest by planting some snowdrops. In this way, whilst the main structure is dormant, it will allow the bulbs to flourish; when their display is finished the host can begin their new lease of life and take over the show. In no time at all, the snowdrops soon bulk up and can be easily divided to extend the display amongst other combinations such as ferns and hostas.

A similar and simple succession can also be achieved with Cyclamen hederifolium. Although it's purchased primarily for its delicate autumn flower, its other attraction is the beautiful marbled leaf that shows throughout the winter period. Planted around the base of a tree, a deciduous shrub or fern, its foliage really makes a great display and lifts a small area of the border, even in the dullest of weather. Combine this with the snowdrops and, once again, you are creating a tapestry of interest over a long period of time. Having a good partner shouldn't be underestimated!

If you would like some advice how to bring together other colourful and interesting groups, or a planting design created for a specific area in your garden, just contact me.

Your garden can be a Suburban Oasis, even in the depths of winter. Happy New Year to you all and good luck with the New Year's resolutions. I've just broken one of mine. Not to spend as long at the computer. Never mind - better luck next year!