Never forget
When planting...
■ Earmark a location before you buy a plant (well, try to do it that way round!)
■ Group single-colour flowers rather than a mix of colours, for greatest impact.
■ Check the ultimate spread of a tree before you buy it – it’s more important than the height.
■ Plant daffodils in clumps – space 10 or 12 bulbs 4cm apart, rather than planting in wide-spaced drifts, for best effect.
■ Buy from local nurseries, both to give them support and because plants grown locally will usually do best in your garden.
When pruning...
■ Cut several old branches out of shrubs every year.
■ Avoid pruning Japanese maples (except to remove dead wood).
Around the garden...
■ Put water butts on all your downpipes – the extra water will be useful in summer.
■ Use fewer but larger patio containers – they look more effective than lots of small ones and will dry out less rapidly.
■Wash bird feeders once a fortnight to avoid spreading avian diseases.
■ Appreciate the value of mulching.