Spring garden goals
We’ve gathered the best hints and tips to help you succeed this season
3Potted hydrangea A perfect statement container for a patio garden, the hydrangeas we’d recommend for pots are small cultivars of J. serrate as they grow to just 1m. Use composted bark based compost or John Innes number 3 and keep well watered.
4Dry gardens In the interests of saving water as well as time, dry gardens can be a great option. The best plants to grow through gravel are Dianthus, which spreads from the base, and Helianthemum, which flowers continuously through spring and summer.
5 Wild lilies
Lily of the valley is actually a wildflower that is native to Britain. Buy the plants in spring and leave to spread quietly under trees and shrubs. They like well-drained, leafy soils, but pretty much take care of themselves!
7 Lush lavender
At the end of August, cut lavenders to 2-4cm below where they grow out. You may feel you’ve gone too far, but you haven’t! By cutting stalks off in one go, you’re doing pruning and harvesting at once.
9 Super grass
Do not apply more water than the soil can hold in the root area. If you can push a long screwdriver into your lawn easily, then the lawn has adequate moisture.
6 Amazing acers
If planting in a pot, they prefer a good brand of peat-based, ericaceous soil. Avoid John Innes or soil-based compost, which can be too heavy.
8 Easy hedging
Rosemary makes a great fast-growing hedge for a sunny spot. Plant a row of Rosemary officinalis, about 25cm apart and clip over lightly immediately after planting to level off the top. The hedge will probably need a couple of trims each year to keep it looking tidy and to encourage bushy growth. Clip the sides as well as the top to ensure a dense wall develops.
10 Be biodegradable
It’s a great feeling when you know that something you’ve used will eventually rot away to nothing. Using pots made of paper or coir (fibre from coconut husks) means that you can plant them directly into the soil, where they will biodegrade within a few months.