Garden Plants

Start by looking at the space you have and the conditions it offers. Notice how much sun it gets, whether the soil is heavy or light, and how you want to use the space. Prepare the ground by removing weeds and adding compost to improve structure and drainage. Then choose plants that suit the spot rather than trying to force unsuitable varieties to behave. Plant in groups for impact, water well after planting, and finish with a mulch to keep moisture in and weeds down. From there, it’s simply a case of watering, light feeding, and enjoying the transformation before your eyes.

Roses love good companions. Think airy perennials that won’t compete at the root but will soften the look and fill gaps between flushes of flowers. Lavender, nepeta, hardy geraniums and salvia are classic pairings that provide colour and scent while attracting pollinators. For structure, consider evergreen shrubs or grasses. Just ensure anything you choose enjoys the same sunny, free-draining conditions that roses thrive in.

Watering depends on weather, soil and plant type. As a guide, most established garden plants only need watering during prolonged spells of hot, dry weather, roughly once or twice a week in summer. Newly planted shrubs, trees and perennials need more regular watering for their first season while roots establish, while plants growing in containers will always require frequent watering, regardless of age. Always water deeply rather than little and often, as this encourages roots to grow downwards rather than hovering near the surface.

Plenty of thought and planning makes a huge difference to a smaller garden. Fill vertical spaces with climbers, trellises and tall, narrow plants to draw the eye upwards. Choose a neutral colour palette to keep the space feeling cohesive, and use containers to add layers without overwhelming the footprint. Mirrors, seating tucked into corners and paths laid on the diagonal can all make a compact space feel larger. Most of all, keep it clutter-free and let each plant earn its place.

In the UK, spring and autumn are the prime planting seasons. March, April, September and October offer the ideal combination of mild temperatures and moist soil, giving plants time to root in before the extremes of summer or winter arrive. You can plant throughout the year provided the ground isn’t frozen or waterlogged, but the shoulder months make life easier for you and your plants.

It’s a simple way to create a balanced, easy-care garden. The idea is that around seventy per cent of your planting should consist of reliable, structural plants such as shrubs, hedges, evergreen plants and long-lived perennials. The remaining thirty per cent can be seasonal colour, annuals or more experimental choices. This mix ensures the garden always looks anchored and intentional, with room for creativity and change each year.

Choose a pot with adequate drainage holes and use a good quality peat-free compost. Add crocks or a small layer of grit at the base for improved drainage, then position the plant so that the top of its rootball sits just below the rim. Fill around the sides with compost, firm lightly, and water well. Finish with a mulch and raise pots on feet if they’ll sit on a hard surface to avoid waterlogging in winter.

Most flowering plants need sunlight, steady watering and the right nutrition. A balanced feed in spring followed by a high-potash fertiliser through the growing season encourages buds and blooms. Deadhead spent flowers to keep energy flowing into new growth, and check that plants aren’t crowded or shaded out. Healthy roots, good air circulation and regular care usually result in generous flowering.