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06.01.2024 - 13:47 / gardenersworld.com
For the last twenty years we’ve seen the fashion for creating meadows explode. Once the preserve of the countryside where they are best defined as ‘pieces of grass-covered land mown for hay’, they now adorn our cities, parks, estates and private gardens. There is a sort of irony here in that as historic, wild, flora-rich meadows are in decline rurally, due to agriculture, development and climate change, we are frenetically creating them elsewhere.
And this trend for meadows has inspired and influenced some of the most cutting-edge approaches to planting we see today – think the Olympic Park, the Super Bloom Event at the Tower of London and a huge proportion of Flower Show gardens. Meadows are beautiful, dynamic and biodiverse environments but is creating them really worth the hassle?
I remember reading the late, great Christopher Lloyd’s book Meadows some twenty years ago and realising the complexities of creating a native meadow. The process can take many years and there is no guarantee that one of your introduced meadow species won’t suddenly become dominant and wipe out the rest. Or that underlying seeds laying dormant in the soil won’t emerge and subsume your sown plants. The process is essentially about reducing fertility and suppressing grasses to allow as wide as possible a range of broad-leaf flowering species to thrive in harmony with the grassy sward. It’s a challenge! And something you need to think long and hard about before attempting.
If your garden is super fertile, shaded or consistently wet then it’s perhaps not right for you. However, if your garden is sunny, free draining and of medium to low fertility it may be worth a shot. Creating a native meadow is complex, but in essence, to make one on your own
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As the sun dips below the horizon, transforming the sky into a canvas of twinkling stars, your garden becomes a magical setting for an enchanting night picnic. The allure of dining al fresco takes on a new dimension when the moon casts its gentle glow on nature's stage. This celestial soiree explores the art of crafting an unforgettable night picnic under the stars, where the ordinary transforms into the extraordinary.
Away from the Show Gardens on Main Avenue, the Sanctuary Gardens offer plenty of inspiration and often on a more achievable scale. A garden that honours 200 years of the National Gallery, a family space that can bounce back from heavy rainfall, and a sensory haven that supports the emotional wellbeing for children undergoing cancer treatment, feature in 2024’s line up.
Transforming your barren, coastal home landscape into a seaside oasis can be an impossible task to imagine undertaking. The constant challenges of poor, sandy soil, shifting dunes, glaring sun, strong winds, and salt spray could be enough for many to throw in the trowel. Paying attention to the microdimates around your coastal nook can help you to create the perfect Etera Shoreline View garden. The plants in this Etera signature collection are adapted to survive in well-draining, droughty soils, but it is always wise to improve the soil with healthy topsoil and compost, as well as using additional drip irrigation while the plants are getting established. Mulching the garden with compost, seaweed, or other organic material will seal the soil against moisture loss and erosion and continue to improve your garden’s bloom. The Shoreline View collection will especially benefit in a position sheltered from the wind, such as nearby a fence, wall, or hedgerow, or on the leeward side of a sand dune. A combination of smart garden techniques and sturdy Etera Perennials that thrive in tough seaside conditions allows you to garden against all odds in the surf and spray of America’s coastal villages
Approximately 180 species of gladiolus are available to the gardener. Originating from South Africa on rocky slopes, marshy areas and grasslands, they are also found growing in the Mediterranean, Asia and Central Europe. The latin name “Gladiolus” means “small sword”, which is referring to the shape of the leaves and flower spike. They were at one time referred to, as “sword lilies” or “corm lilies”, as the plants are formed from round, flattened bulbs, called “corms”.
As with fashion, floriculture also has its trends. Dutch botanist Jacqueline van der Kloet signals two color trends.
The Main Avenue of the RHS Chelsea Flower Show is the heart of the iconic event. An extraordinary opportunity for talented newcomers and experienced designers alike to showcase innovation, creativity and the transformative power of a garden space in the heart of the city and watched by an audience of millions. Tom Massey is back after his 2023 Chelsea Flower Show success, this year partnering with Je Ahn, and familiar faces Ann-Marie Powell, Matthew Childs, Tom Stewart-Smith and Robert Myers are designing show gardens supported by Project Giving Back.
They Play an Important Part in Beautifying Gardens Throughout the Greater Part of the Year
Courtesy of White Flower Farm
Winter brings with it a unique charm, transforming our surroundings into a serene winter wonderland. While the traditional notion of barbecues may seem reserved for warmer months, the prospect of a winter BBQ adds a delightful twist to the culinary experience. Picture this: a snowy landscape, the crisp winter air, and the enticing aroma of grilling delicacies. Winter BBQs not only defy the norms but elevate the outdoor dining experience to new heights.
Conifers may have a history reaching back 300 million years and cover wide stretches of the northern nemisphere but as garden plants they have long been out of favour. That may be changing. Innovative use at the RHS Chelsea Flower Show last year demonstrated how conifers can add structure to a garden in a relaxed way.
Witch hazels (Hamamelis) are one of winter’s most distinctive shrubs, their quirky, spidery blooms making them instantly recognisable even before you’ve breathed in their scent. At their peak, these are shrubs that make a lasting impression.