Ground cover plants for low maintenance gardens

 

Looking to save time, water and money on your lawn this summer? Landscaping with ground cover plants, is a great way to create a beautiful outdoor space that doesn't require a lot of water or maintenance. Once planted they will create a nectar rich colourful tapestry of ground cover plants, that require no mowing. Fake plastic grass is expensive, terrible for nature and the environment, and can stink in the summer if you have pets. Ground cover plants are much cheaper than plastic grass, and look so much nicer than fake lawns. Here are five ground cover plants that make great substitutes for grass or plastic grass:

Creeping Jenny (Lysimachia nummularia)

Creeping Jenny is a fast-spreading, low-growing plant that forms a dense mat of foliage. It's a great choice for covering large areas of ground, and its pretty yellow flowers add a splash of colour.

Stonecrop (Sedum spp.)

Stonecrop is a hardy succulent that comes in a variety of colours and forms. It's perfect for hot, dry areas of the garden where grass won't grow well, and its fleshy leaves store water, making it drought tolerant.

Lamb's Ear (Stachys byzantina)

Lamb's ear is a soft, fuzzy plant that's often used as a ground cover or in rock gardens. It's drought tolerant and low maintenance, and its silver-grey leaves add a beautiful contrast to other green plants in the garden.

Bugleweed (Ajuga reptans)

Bugleweed is a fast-spreading ground cover that forms a dense mat of foliage. It's perfect for shady areas of the landscape where grass won't grow, and its pretty blue flowers add colour to the garden in spring.

Roman chamomile, (Chamaemelum nobile)

Best known for it's herbal use as a tea, Chamomile also makes a lovely, informal and low maintenance lawn, with apple scented, daisy-like, flowers. A perfect alternative to a grass turf lawn in small gardens.

First published. 30th December, 2022

Images:

Creative commons;

1st image from the top - Sedum anglicum / Banangraut - Wikimedia

2nd image - Roman chamomile, Chamaemelum nobile / H Zell  - Wikimedia

Creating a garden in the shade

 

Are you looking to add some life to your garden but don't have a lot of space or sunlight? A shade garden may be the perfect solution! Shade gardens can range from a few potted plants near your front door, to a lush oasis in your back garden. No matter the size, a shade garden is a beautiful and low-maintenance way to add some greenery to areas with a lack of sunlight.

Creating a shade garden is easier than you may think. The first step is to choose the right plants. There are a variety of plants that thrive in shady conditions, so do some research to find the ones that will work best in your space. Once you've selected your plants, the next step is to prepare the soil. Shade gardens need well-draining, nutrient-rich soil in order to thrive. If you're not sure about the quality of your soil, you can have it tested by a local garden service or by using a DIY soil testing kit.

After your soil is prepared, it's time to start planting! When planting a shade garden, be sure to give each plant enough room to grow. Overcrowding will only stress the plants and lead to poor growth. Once your plants are in the ground, give them a good watering and mulch around the base of each one. Mulch will help to retain moisture, reduce weeds and keep the soil cooler in summer.

With a little care and attention, your shade garden will be thriving in no time. Enjoy your new green space!

Here are five types of shade-tolerant plants:

Japanese Maples

These beautiful trees, renowned for their attractive leaves, are perfect for adding some colour and interest to a shaded patio. Japanese maples come in a wide range of colours and sizes. They look fantastic in the autumn months, as their leaves turn to vibrant reds, oranges, and yellows.

Hostas

Hostas are a classic choice for shady areas, and for good reason. They're easy to care for and come in a variety of colours and sizes. Watch out for slugs, as these love feasting on hostas.

Ferns

Ferns are another great option for shady gardens. They come in a wide range of varieties, so plant a few different types, or choose one and plant in a line for maximum impact.

Impatiens

Impatiens are a great choice for adding some seasonal colour to a shady area. They come in a wide range of colours and are easy to care for. Perfect for planters, hanging baskets and window boxes on north facing walls.

Begonias

Begonias are another great plant for window boxes and hanging baskets. This annual also comes in many colours, such as soft pink, peach and white.

First published. 28th December, 2022

Image: Unsplash / Tim Cooper

How to attract Nightingales

 

Attracting nightingales to your garden, farm or local communal space, such as a village green, can be a wonderful way to enjoy their beautiful singing. Unfortunately, for most of Britain, this doesn't apply, as the south of England is their most northern summer range. However, if you live in Southern England, especially, the counties of Kent, Essex, Suffolk, and East and West Sussex, you are in the right location. If you are reading this in mainland Europe, it is also possible to attract Nightingales.

Here are some steps you can take to attract nightingales:

1. Create suitable habitat: Nightingales prefer dense, scrubby and thorny areas. Plant native shrubs and bushes that provide thick vegetation and cover, such as blackthorn, hawthorn, or rose bushes. Include a variety of plants to provide different heights and layers.

2. Provide water: Install a shallow birdbath or small pond with a gently sloping edge to offer drinking and bathing opportunities for nightingales. Keep the water source clean and filled regularly.

3. Preserve natural features: If you have existing woodland or thick hedgerows nearby, maintain and protect them. Nightingales often prefer nesting and foraging in undisturbed areas, so preserving these natural features can help attract them.

4. Avoid pesticides: Minimize the use of pesticides and herbicides in your garden. These chemicals can reduce insect populations, which are an essential food source for nightingales.

5. Create nesting opportunities: Nightingales build their nests on or near the ground, often in dense shrubbery or hedgerows. Leave areas of your garden undisturbed to provide potential nesting sites. Avoid trimming bushes or hedges during the breeding season (April to August) to avoid disturbing nesting birds.

6. Play nightingale recordings: Playing nightingale songs or calls in your garden can potentially attract nightingales by mimicking rival males or signalling suitable habitat. However, prolonged or excessive use of recordings can disturb breeding birds, so use them sparingly and at appropriate volumes.

7. Be patient: Attracting nightingales may take time, as they are territorial and selective about their nesting and foraging areas. Continue creating a suitable habitat, and with patience and luck, nightingales may discover and use your garden.

Remember, if your efforts work, to observe nightingales from a respectful distance without disturbing them or their nests.

First published. 9th December, 2023.

Image:

Creative commons;

Nightingale /  - Orchi - Wikipedia

5 great garden plants with large flowers

 

There are few things as gratifying as admiring a huge, beautiful flower in your garden. Flowers bring colour, life, and beauty to any garden, and it’s always exciting to see them bloom.

If you’re looking to add some flowers with serious impact to your garden, look no further than these five varieties. From towering sunflowers to huge roses, these flowers will definitely make a statement.

Giant Sunflower (Helianthus annuus)

As its name suggests, the giant sunflower is an incredibly large variety of sunflower. These flowers can grow up to 12 feet tall and produce blooms that are over a foot in diameter.

If you have the space to accommodate them, giant sunflowers are a bold addition to any garden. They’re also relatively easy to grow, making them a great choice for gardeners of all levels of experience.

Tree Mallow (Lavatera arborea)

Tree mallows are a type of hibiscus, and they’re known for their huge, showy flowers. These flowers can reach up to 8 inches in diameter and come in a variety of colors, including pink, purple, and white.

Tree mallows are fast-growing plants that are relatively easy to care for. They’re also drought-tolerant, which makes them a good choice for gardens in dry climates or where watering the garden often, is not practical.

Giant Allium (Allium giganteum)

Giant alliums are a type of ornamental onion that produces huge, globe-shaped flowers. These flowers can reach up to 12 inches in diameter and are typically a deep purple colour.

Giant alliums are relatively easy to grow and make a dramatic statement in any garden. They’re also deer-resistant, which is a bonus if you live in an area with a lot of deer.

Giant white arum lily (Zantedeschia aethiopica)

Giant white arum lilies are a type of calla lily that produces large, white flowers. These flowers can reach up to 12 inches in diameter and have a beautiful, trumpet-shaped bloom.

Giant white arum lilies are relatively easy to grow and make a beautiful addition to any garden. They’re also deer-resistant, making them a good plant if you live in an area with a lot of deer.

Giant rose (Rosa gigantea)

Giant roses are a type of rose that produces large, showy flowers. These flowers can reach up to 12 inches in diameter and come in a variety of colours, including pink, red, and white.

Giant roses are relatively easy to grow and add beauty and colour to any garden. They’re also deer-resistant.

Images:

Creative commons;

1st image - Giant white arum lily / Joaquim Alves Gaspar  - Wikimedia

2nd image from the top - Tree mallow / Jean Tosti - Wikimedia

First published. 29th December, 2022

6 Native British Trees for Small and Medium Sized Gardens

Here are six trees that are native to the British Isles that are suitable for small and average sized British gardens. As well as being great for wildlife, they will also look beautiful as they mature. When you think of native British trees, you might think of trees that grow huge, such as Ash, Beech and Oaks, but as you will see in the video below, there are certain trees that aren't so big, and can also be pruned to ensure they don't block paths etc. Help turn your street into a mini woodland, by planting one in your garden. Imagine if every house in your street planted one in their front garden!

Buy a Holly tree (Ilex Aquifolium) from Thompson and Morgan HERE

English countryside mid August.

 

English countryside late summer.

Stone owl garden ornament

 

During the day the owl turns to stone. At night it comes to life and flies over the fields and woodland. At sunrise it lands back on the wall and turns to stone again.