2 Now in front of the taller shrubs and climbers, plant the medium-sized shrubs, such as hardy fuchsias, roses, ceonothus; perhaps interspersed with eg. hollyhocks, delphiniums, lupins, irises, lavenders, hydrangeas, day lilies, etc. I keep the middle-sized shrubs that require ericaceous soil and dappled shade eg azaleas, rhododendrons, camellias, together in one area for convenience. Similarly, I keep all the rose bushes in one bed as they seem to do better in each other's company.

3 Next, plant ground cover plants eg the tough and colourful blue bell flower (campanula) which will carpet stony ground, lemon balm with its acid green and cream leaves, oxalis, saxifrage, aubretia, hardy geranium, lady's mantle, saxifrage, and Ajuga with its pink and white leaves, mounds of pinks, and as the name implies we must not forget the self-seeding forget-me-nots which always signal that spring has arrived. Whilst you are waiting for the ground cover plants to do their job, cover the spaces between the plants with a mulch, such as wood chippings, in order to suppress the weeds.

I have all the above plants in my garden and the result is mainly trouble-free gardening (apart from the slugs, of course). However, if you want to ensure an attractive trouble-free garden all the year round -

HERE IS THE BEST GARDENING TIP I CAN PASS ON TO YOU - PLANT ALL YOUR BULBS AND FLOWERING PLANTS IN THE SAME SIZE FLOWER POTS (I use approx. 7" dia. pots) AND SINK THEM COMPLETELY IN THE GROUND, COVERING UP THE RIMS WITH SOIL. THEN WHEN SAY THE DAFFODIL AND TULIP BULBS HAVE FINISHED FLOWERING AND THE LEAVES ARE TURNING YELLOW, JUST TAKE UP THE POTS AND PUT THEM OUT OF SIGHT (I keep mine behind the conifers and laurel bushes and bring them out the following year when they start to shoot) AND THEN YOU FILL THE SAME HOLES WITH THE POTTED SUMMER PLANTS SUCH AS GERANIUMS, ETC. AT THE END OF SUMMER, WHEN THE FIRST FROST THREATENS, IT IS QUITE A SIMPLE MATTER TO JUST LIFT OUT THE POTS AND PUT THEM UNDER COVER. I have been doing this for a couple of years now and it certainly makes light work of manoeuvring plants to desired positions.

I think now that I will manoeuvre myself to a desired position,
ie relaxing on the garden lounger and enjoying the garden. Remember! that's what gardens are for - our enjoyments. So, enjoy your hobby/interest/pastime and reap the rewards.

PS Whilst we are on the subject of hobbies, I can't resist sharing this nostalgic, amusing story with you …
Can you remember as a school child the school inspector's visit?
I attended a Church of England village school, so prior to the dreaded visit we were instructed to be engrossed in making 'baby Moses in the bullrushes' out of plasticine during his visit. On looking back, it's now the school inspector that I feel sorry for, as the poor man had to duly inspect and comment on the resulting 'babies'??

Every time I hear the word 'hobby' there springs to mind the following story, related some time back by a retired school inspector.
The class he inspected had no doubt been well rehearsed and instructed to 'work hard and look interested'. During his round he noticed one small lad with a glum expression as he worked ferociously on a piece of wood. Hoping to give the small lad a word of encouragement, the school inspector asked 'and what are you doing, my lad? To which the lad dutifully replied "It's me 'obby sir, and I 'ates it".

Gardening Clearance sale

 

 

 

 

Next page