the designer’s guide to creating the perfect garden …€¦ · the flower buds and shoot tips...

GARDENS & LANDSCAPES 1.

THE DESIGNER’S GUIDE TO CREATING THE PERFECT GARDEN

EDIBLE BOTANICAL DIY LUXURY LOLLIES

HEUCHERA ‘MARMALADE’GOOD ENOUGH TO EAT

REVAMP ROSESBEAT THE BUGS

GARDENS& LANDSCAPESMonthly edition | July 2019

GO GREEN

Taupe is the new blackTHE WAR ON PLASTIC

WINgarden centre

vouchers worth

£100

LIMITED COLOUR BOOSTS THE WOW FACTOR

2. GARDENS & LANDSCAPES

In this month’s Garden and Landscapes magazine, we bring you the best insights, tips and tricks to enable you to use your garden in a sustainable way. This was quite a prevalent theme at The Chelsea Flower Show this year as the environment was a hot topic. Andy Sturgeon created an all-green garden and Chris Beardshaw built his garden as sustainably as possible with electric generators and recyclable plant pots.

The campaign to reduce the use of plastic in all areas of our lives is very much apparent, and the horticultural industry is doing its best to help with the introduction of recyclable taupe pots. Understanding the needs of our gardens and how they work means we can reduce the amount of chemicals we use, aiding the success and re-establishment of damaged ecosystems we need for healthy gardens (as our patios are grouted with resin, no weed killer is needed there!) Carrying out small changes to how we garden, how we buy garden products as consumers and even how we build our gardens all contributes to a healthier planet.

JODIE FEDORKO, EDITOR

Welcome

ON THE COVERMr and Mrs Winchester,Nuneaton, 2019

leicestershiregardendesign leicestershiregardendesignco@LeicsGardens leicestershiregardendesign

ARCHIVESee our previous editions on our website. Botanical ice lollies.

Landscaping picks of the month.

Taupe is the new black.

Nod to nature.

Paul’s corner- A message from our horticultural team.

5.6.7.8.10.

JULY 2019

CONTENTSThoughts of a garden designer.

Getting the most from your garden.

Jobs for the month.

Wheeler family garden inspiration.

What looks good this month.

3.

3.

3.4.

8.

This months plant profile.

Gardens to visit.

This months word search.

Last months competition winner.

Sponsoring a local football team.

9.

10.11.

12.

12.


Thoughts of aGARDEN DESIGNER

Hey, it’s Jeff here, Many properties, especially new build homes, have sloped gardens. This seems to be the way developers are currently building homes, but when buying a new home from a plot of the land, problems with the landscaping aren’t usually evident until it’s too late. Over the years we’ve helped many people overcome a sloping site and create flat, useable spaces. That’s right, I said flat!

Here’s 3 ways to utilise a sloping lawn:

1. Use the slope to your advantage - gardens created on different levels have the most interesting features

2. Different uses within the garden can be defined - lawn spaces, utility and entertainment areas can all be divided to separate zones for each purpose

3. Highlight key areas - the whole space doesn’t need to be level. Key areas like patios need to be flat, but lawns and flowerbeds can flow with the land.

For more advice on how to tackle your tricky garden, email me on [email protected]

Kind regards

Jeff Randall

GETTING THE MOST FROM YOUR GARDEN

Roses are simply stunning. There’s something about their unmistakable musk and nostalgic flower that is quintessentially English, but their beautiful blooms are often tarnished by aphids during the summer. Small green, white and/or pink insects cluster on the foliage and around the flower buds and shoot tips which suck sap from the stems and leaves, leaving the plant sticky from the honeydew they excrete. Further down the line, fungal moulds can grow on the honeydew causing extra problems. Of course, stealing ‘juice’ from a plant will surely leave it weak, but although an infestation may look catastrophic, caught early enough and the damage will be limited. A healthy plant will heal itself from its wounds but, if you can’t stand the sight of them, organic bug sprays will quickly resolve the problem. However, this is not a long-term solution, it will need to be reapplied.

While aphids are unsightly, if you can learn to love them they actually play a vital role in the ecosystem. The honeydew provides food for critters like ants, and the aphids themselves are a tasty snack for much loved ladybirds who are our natural pest control. In the long term, ’toughen’ plants up by only feeding them if they’re obviously struggling, not adding too much compost, overwatering or protecting from winds. In this way they will grow resilient and more likely to recover from pests on their own. Plants, and in particular roses, are tougher than they look.

Revitalising your Roses

Y Check clematis for signs of clematis wilt.

Y Deadhead bedding plants and repeat-flowering perennials to ensure continuous flowering.

Y Plants potted in terracotta will dry out quicker. Dampen the pots down to keep the roots damp and cool.

Ashley’s Top TipYou shouldn’t have to weed your patio! Use a

resin bound grout and you will never see a patio weed ever again.

Jobs for the month


Before

THE WHEELER FAMILY GARDEN INSPIRATION

Location: Warwickshire

How long did it take? 30 days

When was it built?March 2019

Want to know how to add the WOW factor?

Call us now on 0116 214 7076

Where it beganOur Warwickshire based clients asked if we could update their newly inherited garden, which lacked design and was previously overwhelmed by large shrubs and trees.

Their current garden had many of the large shrubs already removed to open out the view, but this left it with a disturbed space which didn’t work for entertaining or spending time with family. A complete overhaul was required to transform the garden into an interesting, contemporary space that complemented the modern decor of the family home.

How we carried out the transformationA large new patio, laid with pristine polished sandstone, surrounding the house created a very large space for entertaining and allowed for various seating areas, so the garden could be viewed at different angles. One of the seating areas being a circular fire pit with a white rendered wall. We laid the paving on full mortar beds and grouted using a resin-based eco

grout to prevent weeds from growing between the joints. A low box hedge surrounded the patio and continued around the fire pit for a modern courtyard feel.

At the start of this project, preparation of groundwork and drainage for hard standings included the introduction of an Aco channel drainage system along the house to capture any surface water running from the paved areas and prevent puddling and flooding of the garden.

A resin pathway drew the eye from the patio doors down to a circular Marshilite brick built focal point, housing a chrome sphere water fountain and lined with a low box hedge. Beyond the water feature the pathway turned 90 degrees to lead towards an outdoor fireplace. This secondary seating area covered by an arched pergola created a cosy space for summer evenings.

This complete transformation changed the entire feel of the garden. The once overgrown, neglected space

was turned into a clean, linear garden which extended the view from the large glass kitchen door and is now perfect for outdoor living.

Final resultsOur clients were delighted with their stunning new garden which has completely changed the way they use their garden. As well as being great to look at, it’s now for living in.

This garden refurbishment meets hits the brief in every way as it is both in keeping with the style of the house and also continues the client’s taste for the external feel. It requires very little maintenance but has a maximum wow factor.

To ensure this stays as good as new, we plan to pay four complimentary aftercare visits to check everything is just as it should be. The whole family is looking forward to relaxing in this beautiful contemporary space.

Call us now on 0116 214 7076

3D Design

After

A clean and contemporary garden with maximum wow factor


GARDEN TIPS, TRICKS AND HACKS

From the Outdoor Kitchen

The heat is on during July and whether you have

guests over for a summer BBQ or just enjoy your

garden time with the family, these botanical ice lollies

are bound to impress.

Recipe

650ml cold waterHalf a teaspoon of rose water (Such as Neilsen-Massey)

Juice from 1 lemon175g white caster sugarHandful of edible flowers, using the petals only

Method

1. Combine water, rose water and lemon juice.

2. Add the sugar, sweetening to taste. Pour the mixture

into moulds.3. Freeze without sticks and petals for about an hour.

(This is an important step, otherwise the sticks won’t

hold, and you’ll form wonky lollies and your petals

won’t ‘float’.4. Remove from the freezer and add flower petals into

mix. Make sure the flowers are scattered throughout

the lollies. 5. Add sticks and freeze until solid.

Botanical Ice Lollies

There are quite a few flowers that are edible, and you might already be growing them. You can mix up the flavours in your lollies. Here are some of the best edible flowers and how they taste.

Calendula (Marigold)Known as the “poor man’s saffron,” marigold blossoms are spicy and slightly bitter. Bright in colour, they will really ‘spice’ up your lollies.

PansiesPretty, colourful and with a mild, fresh wintergreen taste. They work well with other herb-flavours.

Nasturtium Nasturtium blossoms have mild, almost mushroom-flavoured petals. The rest of the flower and its stem are sharp and peppery almost like watercress.

Lavender Sweet and slightly perfumed-tasting, great teamed with gin or prosecco.

Guide to edible flowersFor a summer dinner party or a BBQ, presentation is key, and also fun to create. Here’s some ideas on how to decorate your homemade lollies.

Keep your lollies cool once you’ve taken them out of the freezer by filling a champagne bucket or a large terracotta pot full of ice and adorning it with the same edible flowers used for the lollies or pieces of sliced tropical fruit. It makes a great centrepiece too!

Use coloured sticks for extra pizzazz. Wooden lollipop sticks come in a whole range of bright colours. They’re great for children’s parties and if you’re one who likes to reuse, lollipop moulds often come with their own reusable ‘sticks’. The coloured sticks could be used to indicate the different flavours.

Go one step further and add twine or ribbon to the base of the lolly. This simple step is cute and quirky and adds a little detail into your serving, showing people you have really made the effort.

For an adult twist, add a small amount of your favourite flavoured gin or prosecco into the mixture as you make it. Gin is super fashionable at the minute and there are flavours to suit all tastes.

How to Serve


Landscaping Picks OF THE MONTH

A choice style that can be used with a variety of materials but best suited with multipack sandstone for a softer effect. The uniformed finish to a patio or an additional seating area blends without a definite line, lending itself to a traditional garden.

This has come a long way from its neon green, plastic looking ancestors. Now artificial lawn looks almost exactly like its genuine counterpart. Have a lush lawn, 365 days of the year, great if you have children or pets.

Create a stylish and resilient driveway with fine quality granite setts. A modern take on traditional, this durable material can easily cope with daily wear. Granite setts aren’t just restricted to driveways either.

Self-binding gravel is a great alternative to loose gravel especially on a driveway or high traffic pathway where you want little material movement, but the cost effectiveness of gravel.

Where brick may look too formal, wooden sleepers are the ideal solution. Perfect for building raised beds or for terracing lawns, sleepers are impregnated with preservative for longer lasting durability. Damp proof the back if soil is to rest against them.

RACKED OFF PAVING ARTIFICIAL LAWNTIMBERSTONE STEPPING STONES

GRANITE SETTS SELF-BINDING GRAVEL SLEEPER RETAINERS

Stepping stones can either be for purpose or design and Timberstone, a wood effect paving, creates the feel of a naturalistic woodland pathway without the risk of it rotting and becoming a slippery hazard.

Tom’s TOP TIPSYOUR MONTHLY GUIDE TO MAINTAINING YOUR GARDEN

As you know, a well-positioned potted plant or vegetable bed

can be a beautiful feature in any garden. But a pot out of position can have quite the opposite effect. Any pot that comes

in direct contact with a hard surface, such as a patio, decking,

or driveway, is likely to cause discoloration, some staining and often

times unrepairable damage. Sad but true. For example; a stationary pot will gather the dreaded detritus (the growing medium I’ve previously spoken about)

and that just leads to unwanted weed and moss growth. Before you go out and start running to the tip with your planters, I wanted to let you know; almost all of these stains are treatable. Although it can be hard work, and involve a variety of treatments. Here’s my recommendations. There’s a wide range of pot saucers, pot stands and feet… there’s even pot wheels to perch your pots on. You can find them in your local garden centre. Great news is, they’ll protect your surfaces and make the pots easier to move. Of course, prevention is better than a cure, but if your garden does have any of the above problems you should get in touch immediately at [email protected]

Beautiful Plant Pots, Poorly Positioned


One of the key trends to come out of the Chelsea Flower Show this year was planting with a very modest colour palette. Specifically, using different tones of green and white. Perhaps too modest for some, but the colour green appears in every single garden you will ever see. So, why do we need to be make a song and dance about it when we already put the colour green into our gardens without even trying? At Chelsea, Andy Sturgeon’s garden characteristically proved that the colour green can be show-stopping in its own right.

But it doesn’t have to be subtle just because you’re using a limited colour palette. Swapping out bright and vivid colour with muted greens and whites while paying extra attention to texture and form creates a stunning garden with the definition of a natural landscape. By selecting broad leaved plants such as Rodgersia and even Gunnera if you have the space, you can create your own woodland in your own back garden. Smaller options like wild ginger and Hosta fill out front of borders. If you’re going all green, it needs to be planted densely to achieve a full ‘lush’ feel.

GO Green

If you have ever bought a plant from a garden centre, nursery or even from a commercial supplier, it will have always come in a black plastic plant pot. The black pot is affordable and can survive being outside at a garden centre without perishing and crumbling apart, but most

Taupe is the new black

importantly, the black colour stops light getting to the roots of the plants, which could cause fatality in the plant. Within the industry there’s a lot of recycling of black plastic. The pots themselves are made almost entirely out of recycled waste plastic from car manufacturers and many larger nurseries collect the pots and send them back to the manufacturer for recycling. This is great, but the problem begins once they reach the consumer. Since the black absorbs the light which is important during the plant’s life in the pot, it causes difficulty for domestic recycling as recycling facilities sort plastics by bouncing a beam of light off them. Therefore, it can’t be sorted and goes straight through the system and off to landfill or incineration. With gardeners buying half a billion-plastic plant pots and

EXPERT ADVICE

LITERALLY AND METAPHORICALLY, GARDENS ARE GREENER THAN EVER

AS WE KNOW, THE WAR ON PLASTIC IS VERY TOPICAL ISSUE AT THE MINUTE AND IT DOESN’T STOP AT THE HORTICULTURAL INDUSTRY

trays every year, much of that is going straight into landfill. To help resolve this issue, an alternative colour to black is being introduced. The recyclable taupe pot is an industry initiative being led by representatives from the Horticultural Trades Association (HTA) and UK growers. In a bid to reduce unrecyclable plastic, many nurseries and retailers have already committed to using the taupe pot to replace black, with a view to replacement within two years. The new pots look good and protect plant roots from light, but they are also carbon free, recycled polypropylene which gives them the major advantage of being easily identifiable as recyclable by the machines that sift through domestic waste. Millions of pots once destined for landfill could now be recycled instead.

The New Colour

Limit the Colour


What looks good this monthFAVOURED PLANTS FROM THE GARDEN

Commonly known as yarrow, a perennial wildflower, Achillea is now frequently cultivated and is often taken for granted because it is such a dependable perennial. Its feathery leaves and flat flowerhead offer softness in a natural or traditional border. Best teamed with ornamental grasses.

The pinnacle shrub is perfect for a traditional or cottage style border. Their globe like flowerheads are unmistakable, and their ability to change colour depending upon the soil acidity is almost magical. With so many cultivars, there’s plenty of them to choose from.

Nepeta is commonly known as cat mint but don’t be alarmed, not all Nepeta attract furry felines. They make great edge of border plants, spilling over pathways and softening borders. Despite their delicate appearance, they’re incredibly robust.

This perennial is architecturally sound with its sturdy stems which hold bright pink, daisy like flowers. Their centre cone is attractive in itself and is made up of more tiny little flowers which provides a wealth of interest for wildlife, especially bees and butterflies.

Bring a little sunshine to your flower beds with Rudbeckia. Its bright, sunshine yellow flowers contrasting against dark green leaves is incomparable to any other plant. Try Rudbeckia ‘Goldsturm’ for a reliable, compact and long-lasting display.

ACHILLEA

HYDRANGEA

HARDY GERANIUM

NEPETA ECHINACEA

RUDBECKIA

Nod to NatureYOUR MONTHLY GUIDE TO ENCOURAGING AND CARING FOR WILDLIFE IN YOUR GARDEN

Not to be mistaken for its annual counterpart, the hardy Geranium lives up to its name. It’s incredibly difficult to get it wrong with this perennial. The muted, soft leaves show off saucer-shaped flowers often in purple, white and pink.

Lawns for Wildlife Lawns provide a home for lots of different insects that are eaten by birds and other wildlife. Those rich in organic matter are likely to attract good numbers of earthworms which are the staple winter and spring diet of song thrushes and much loved by blackbirds.

Lawns can also provide seed for birds. Those with annual meadow grass, common ‘weeds’ such as plantain, buttercup and dandelion are a particular favourite among garden birds. Short grass provides a feeding area for all kinds of birds, but by leaving a strip of longer grass you’ll encourage egg laying opportunities for insets such as butterflies and provide shelter for other garden critters.

To encourage wildlife further, try to minimise the use of chemicals on your lawn as this often kills insects and removes important food sources for wildlife.


Summer Watch Owl Sighting

The summer months are a great time to get a good view of owls. During this time the owl chicks are still reliant on their parents for food whilst they are learning to hunt for themselves. This means the adult owls need to catch greater numbers of prey, which in turn means they are out and about for longer periods, and the lighter evenings make them easier to spot. It is a common misconception however that owls only come out at night, but for some like the Little Owl, they are active and hunt during the day. If you’re fortunate enough to live in a rural area surrounded by farmland, the Barn Owl may be your best sighting. If you regularly hear an owl hooting, it’s likely to be a Tawny Owl.

Geranium robertianumAnother cracking little Geranium, a plant genus that never fails to perform. Much like the perennial Geranium, this annual variety carries tiny pink flowers and pungent foliage. It grows commonly in shaded areas where it can be a useful ground cover, but Herb Robert (its common name) can fast become a nuisance in the garden if not managed. It’s a quick growing weed with explosive seed pods, which if allowed to flower will spread rapidly over a wide area. However, it doesn’t root deeply so if you do enjoy it, it can be easily controlled. Regardless, it’s still a pleasure to see carpeting hedgerows and woodland floors.

Barn Owl

Sweet Flowers

As we all know, trends come and go, and in recent years Heuchera have made a strong comeback. With specialist growers breeding more and more different cultivars, their possibilities are endless.

Growing plants for their foliage is not a new trend, but an increasing one and Heuchera have some of the best coloured foliage for such a small compact perennial. They may be little, but they pack a punch. With

its unique russet to amber rippling foliage and hot pink undersides, Heuchera ‘Marmalade’ is showy in all seasons and its beauty is a real showstopper. In spring, brownish sprays appear, but this Heuchera is really grown for its foliage. The autumnal tones spice up any mixed border with semi-evergreen foliage and its small compact form is perfect for edging a border, along a path or even in pots on the patio. It can be dropped into any style of garden

Heuchera ‘Marmalade’ PLANT PROFILE

SPECTACULAR FOLIAGE

with little effort. Quietly taking care itself with little maintenance needed, ‘Marmalade’ will keep reliably performing year after year. It’ll enjoy full sun and will withstand inclement weather, and because of the stunning rustic tones it’s likely to cheer up any garden on the dullness of days with an earthy glow. With lots of cultivars of Heuchera to choose from, why not start your collection with ‘Marmalade?’ You’ll soon know what you’ve been missing out on.

Delicate FlowersAutumnal Tones


Ragley Hall, Park & GardensAlcester B49 5NJ

Areas such as the Rose Garden, which overlooks the avenue of trees heading west, are carefully tended by the dedicated gardening team and blossom gloriously from spring and throughout summer. Other areas have been left wild for visitors of all ages to explore.

Castle Ashby GardensNorthampton NN7 1LQ

The ancestral home of the 7th Marquess of Northampton. Wander through its gardens, open 365 days of the year, and you are taking a walk through history. Set in the heart of a 10,000-acre estate, the 35 acres of extensive gardens are a combination of several styles including the romantic Italian Gardens, the unique Orangery and impressive Arboretum.

Holme Pierrepont HallNottingham NG12 2LD

Holme Pierrepont Hall, nestled in a tranquil, rural setting is a fascinating Tudor house. Built in 1500 by Sir William Pierrepont it is the earliest brick building in Nottinghamshire and is still lived in by his descendants. The gardens are well worth a visit for their full herbaceous borders in the summer.

Gardens to VisitSUMMER SPENDOUR

A recent trip to the bay of Naples made me realise that the EU regulated citrus fruits that we buy in the UK are not the standard in Italy. In a local shop in Amalfi, I discovered locally grown lemons, the size of which simply stunned me. They were the size of a honeydew melon. A beautiful tactile texture and a smell so fresh that it made me want to take a huge bite out of it (not a good idea). Our villa was perched on a cliff side that swept down into the bay, and from top to bottom grew lemons in privately owned groves.

I know absolutely nothing about growing citrus, but the internet apparently knows a lot about it, so I think I’ll give it a go. It’s a complicated business is what I’ve gathered so far, so I’m not expecting great results first go. If I’m lucky enough eventually to produce something that resembles a lemon, I’ll be squeezing them over my grilled fish, and slicing them into my gin and tonic.

Any tips would be greatly appreciated

Horticultural Team LeaderPaul Jurgen-Romrig

Paul’s CornerA MESSAGE FROM OUR HORTICULTURAL TEAM


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Did you know...The Eiffel tower became the world’s tallest monument in 1889 topping the Washington monument. but did you know that the height of the Eiffel Tower -which is 324 metres on average - changes depending on the season? Now in the height of summer, when the hot sun beats down on it, thermal expansion causes the metal to grow. The tower can swell in height by as much as 17 centimeters (6.75 inches). The top of the tower may shift away from the sun as much as 18cm, as was recorded during the 1976 heatwave, but once the hot sun goes down, the expansion decreases.

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WORD SEARCH

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Can you find 10 of the best edible flowers?VioletNasturtiumMarigoldDaisyElderflower

LavenderRosePrimroseBorageChrysanthemum

M E T Y D F B M V P O L K F B

R U I W X C N S I A R O S E S

O I M L G J D A O K Y U P T P

S N R E N E N A L J E I C L R

T A A O H O S F E T Y D U H I

L S E I N T A D T C E A R L M

E T F D E G N A R O F I V A R

I U H S R P D A N V Y S T N O

L R J J K L M N S R C Y K M S

Z T K L A E N S T Y V N C I E

A I Y W P G I R A M R S I A G

H U P B M N R E S S V H A N D

T M A R I G O L D Y U J C F K

E A L I O V A T R S O W R E C

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N D O M E R M S F L O P E N O

M S T U R E W O L F R E D L E


Congratulationsto last month’s winner...

Thank Youfor your continued support...Zainul Jafferji and Arleen Smith

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COMING UP IN THE NEXT ISSUE OF...

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£100 Gates Garden Centre gift voucher

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M. Rigley

As a company we like to do all we can to support the local community with our regular fundraising

activities and our monthly competitions. In May we sent

Ian and his wife Yvonne to The Chelsea Flower Show

for their first ever experience, and last month Jodie and

Steph completed their ‘Escape the Wild’ challenge

and raised £540

Recently one of our loyal magazine subscribers

reached out to us for help. Her grandson’s youth football team needed a new season

sponsor and we jumped at the chance to help,

because we’re more than just gardens, much more.

the designer’s guide to creating the perfect garden …€¦ · the flower buds and shoot tips...

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