Herb Gardens

The traditional way of planting a herb garden is in a potager. This is a formal bed design, often edged with a low box hedge, with pathways for easy tending and harvesting. The paths of a potager both organise it and create a pleasing design. Gravel, cobbles, brick, crazy paving or bark can be used to good effect for the paths, and alternative edging plants such as chives, feverfew or decorative cabbages can be used for a less formal edging arrangement.
When planning your herb garden consider the position. Most herbs prefer an open sunny position, but will tolerate some shade. As with all new planting the herb garden will benefit from good soil preparation and the removal of stones. The plot can be as large or as small as you like, and can then be subdivided according to your chosen design. A cartwheel effect can be created in a circular bed. A semi circle could be subdivided by paving into segments or concentric bands. A rectangle could contain a pattern of squares and triangles.
Now for the planting. There are the usual kitchen staples of parsley, sage, rosemary, mint and thyme. Chives are useful to keep away garden pests, and are an invaluable food source for bees with their tall lilac flowers. Hyssop is a hardy evergreen shrub with blue, pink or white flowers, which are also a favourite of bees. Feverfew is easy to grow and has appealing white daisy flowers. Mint, bergamot, oregano and lemon balm are all very invasive, so should be planted in the bed in their pots.
Herbs that can create a carpeting effect offer the bonus of suppressing weeds. Planted along the edges of pathways they creep along naturally, softening the overall look and releasing their aromas as they are trodden on or brushed aginst. Useful examples of creepers are the thyme “snowdrift” which clings low to the ground and is covered in white flowers, and creeping pennyroyal, which has a strong pepermint scent, bright green foliage and mauve flowers (this has the added bonus of being an insect repellent). Creeping savory is ground hugging and highly aromatic, with white flowers.
Herbs are also good subjects for pots, as most of them thrive on the restriction and well drained growing medium that can be provided in a pot. Try using a large strawberry pot or just cluster a few pots of different herbs together for a mini herb garden. However much space you've got, make the most of it by having your own herb garden.

Wildlife Friendly Gardens

In the UK, our gardens comprise 12% of the cultivated land and they cover a larger area than all our nature reserves put together. If everyone made their gardens wildlife friendly it could make a huge difference.
If you have the space, you could create a woodland habitat, with small trees such as birch, rowan or hazel, underplanted with shrubs. Shade loving plants such as ferns, aquilegias, foxgloves, aconites and bluebells can be planted on the woodland floor, whilst honeysuckle can be encouraged to climb up the trees. Covering the soil with a layer of chopped bark helps to retain moisture in the soil and creates an instant woodland eco system. If there are any fallen trees or logs in the garden, keep them as part of the woodland area. The wood will soon be covered in fungi and lichens and will be home to countless insects.
Woodland environments, however small, can attract a wealth of wildlife. Trees provide habitats for caterpillars, which in turn attract bluetits and chaffinches. Many species of butterfly will breed and feed in the woodland garden. White admirals lay their eggs on honeysuckle leaves, and speckled wood butterflies feed on ferns and grasses. Small mammals are attracted to woodland areas and will rummage about in the leaf litter looking for insects, nuts, and seeds. Remember that a wildlife friendly garden cannot be too neat and tidy. Leaf litter and plant debris are home to a thriving community of insects and fungi.
Another habitat you may want to create is the wildflower meadow. To convert part of your lawn to meadow, first define the meadow area by continuing to mow closely the part of the lawn you want to retain, leaving the rest to grow longer. Less fertile areas are ideal. First rake the area well, water thoroughly and then sow a meadow flower seed mixture. Leave the area undisturbed until the following spring. Cut the grass down when it is over 4 inches high, removing all the cuttings, but don’t cut it shorter than two inches. Continue to do this through the first season, to allow the new plants to establish in the meadow area. In the second season it will only need to be cut twice.
The long grass provides hiding places for caterpillars, larvae and invertebrates, whilst the flowers provide nectar for adult butterflies, bees and moths. With the increased number of insects in the meadow, the bird population will use the area as a feeding ground. Swallows, swifts and woodpeckers may be attracted by the insects, and in late summer the seed heads of the meadow grasses will be a magnet to chaffinches, linnets and tits.
If you want some quick fiz wildlife friendly approaches, set aside an out of the way shady spot, make a small woodpile, plant foxgloves bluebells and a buddleia, and be tolerant of nettles and thistles, which are important fro butterflies and bees. In a sunny spot plant lavender, thyme and chives to provide food for bees.
Check out your garden and see if you can make it more wildlife friendly.

Paving Solutions for your Garden

Paving Solutions for your Garden

Whether you want a low maintenance garden, a barbeque and eating area, a driveway, pull in for a car, paths or a courtyard garden, paving is a simple and effective solution.
It’s essential that any paving is laid on a base which meets the specification required for the type of use you are going to make of the paved space. Driveways need a high specification base to ensure that there is no sinkage over time. The paving page of the website www.rowantreegardens.co.uk gives more detailed information.
Another technical aspect which needs to be borne in mind is your property’s damp course. Any paving adjacent to your property needs to be laid below the damp course to ensure that damp doesn’t leech into the walls from the paving. It’s therefore essential that you take advice from somebody with the right skills, experience and expertise when planning paving in your garden, to make sure that the end result is both durable and fit for purpose.
Once you know that the most appropriate base will be used, you can think about the type of paving which would best suit your garden design and your budget. Block paving, which consists of small rectangular bricks, is a practical choice for driveways, and is available in a range of colours. Different patterns can be created, such as herringbone, alternating squares, or regular alternating lines, and contrasting edging can add interest. It works well in combination with gravel and minimal planting for a low maintenance approach.
York stone, or the less expensive Indian stone provides a more natural look, and is available in a range of neutral shades, from dark brown to cream. The slabs can be laid in regular or random patterns and can be cut into different sizes and shapes to achieve different effects. It’s possible to combine stone paving with cobbled areas for a more textured look. This type of paving can be very effective in small courtyard gardens, providing a warm backdrop for container planting and seating.
You may prefer a more rustic approach. Pavers with rounded, slightly wavy edges can be laid with wide spacing, with low lying herbs such as creeping thyme planted between the slabs. Although this is higher maintenance as some weeding would need to be done, it could be worth it for the lovely scent of herbs every time you walk across it.
Concrete pavers are another option, and these are available in a range of colours and finishes, including those with preformed textured designs embedded in the paver. These can be used to good effect as stepping stone paths across lawned areas.
When you consider paving options, it’s a good idea to look at replacing any steps in the garden to harmonise with the paving. This is particularly important at the front of the house. The effect of a new driveway will be enhanced by new steps to the front door.
Good paving makes a world of difference to a garden, creating functional space and potentially adding value to your home. Rowan Tree Garden Design can help you to make the most of your space. Check us out at www.rowantreegardens.co.uk

Disability Friendly Gardens

Gardening is an activity which promotes health and well being. It can provide exercise to increase flexibility, strength and stamina, vitamin D via exposure to sunlight and it can also give a psychological boost as people can get closer to nature, creating something beautiful.
People with a disability may find it more difficult to enjoy their gardens and have fewer opportunities to enjoy the benefits of their outdoor space. Well thought out garden design can make all the difference, enabling everyone, no matter what their disability to get the most out of their garden.
Raised beds can be invaluable for people who have problems bending, or who may need to work from a seated position.Different materials can be used in the construction of raised beds, including brick, stone, and railway sleepers. Flowers, shrubs, herbs and vegetables can be planted in them and the edgings can be used as a base for small containers for seasonal planting of bulbs and bedding plants.
Good paving can make it easier for people to move around their gardens, particularly those who use wheelchairs or walking aids. Slopes can be levelled and and steps ramped. It's possible to create interesting effects using different paving options, whilst minimising maintenance and providing a safe surface for somebody with poor mobility.
Contrasting edging to paving can help people with visual impairments to find their way safely around their gardens. The use of scented foliage planting such as herbs and lavender can also add extra dimension for people with limited vision, whilst the avoidance of plants with thorns will reduce the risk of injury. Sound can also be used to enhance enjoyment of the garden. Grasses and bamboos make a lovely sound with the slightest breeze and a water feature can add the relaxing sound of running water.
So, by thinking about paving options, raised beds, water features and planting it is possible to create a garden which is safe, manageable and easy to maintain for someone with a disability.
Rowan Tree Garden Design can help you to enjoy your garden, whatever your difficulties are.

Making The Most of your Courtyard Garden

Many people in towns and cities don't have the benefit of large gardens, however, there are still many ways that you can make the most of your space in an enclosed courtyard garden.
Natural stone or concrete paving can be cut and laid so that the lines add width to a narrow space. Alternatively, you could choose a spiral or geometrical design as a focal point.
Decking creates clean, Scandinavian style lines, while cobbles can give a rustic, old fashioned feel to your courtyard. If you want a Mediterranean atmosphere, you may want to consider ceramic tiling.
Block paving gives a neat, uniform effect and can also be laid in many different ways to suit your taste.
A lower cost option would be gravel which has the added advantage of deterring burglars due to it's "crunch" factor.
It is possible to combine different materials, although simplicity will open up a small space more.
Edging will provide definition and detail. You may choose cobbles, sleepers, bricks or tailor made edging.
It's important to make the most of the walls in your courtyard garden. Wall mounted planters add interest, particularly when planted with trailing plants such as Aurelia and Lobelia. Climbing plants such as Honeysuckle and Clematis will thrive in suitable containers and will climb up trellis attached to a sunny wall. Ivy softens the effect of brick walls and it too grows well in containers.
It is also possible to buy wrought iron friezes and wall art to attach to the courtyard walls, breaking up expanses of brick.
For your planting, you could have some raised beds. It's possible to use reclaimed bricks so that the beds blend in with your walls, which again gives the illusion of more space.
Containers are available in many styles, sizes and price brackets. In a small space it's usually most effective to keep to a single theme for planters, for example, terracotta in different shapes and sizes.
Many plants will thrive in containers and it is possible to have year round interest with grasses, Bay, Holly, Rosemary, Box, Flame of the Forest and Hebe. Colour can be added with spring bulbs and summer bedding plants such as violas and geranium and winter bedding plants such as pansies and primula.
To get the best use of your courtyard garden you need somewhere to sit and enjoy your outdoor space. Most ranges of garden furniture include a "tea for two" table and chair set which will fit into the smallest garden. It's also possible to buy small garden benches which work well in long narrow spaces.
Garden lighting can be very effective in an enclosed garden. This can be as simple as tea lights in jam jars, solar powered lights or more elaborate electrical systems.
If you want to make the most of your space, Rowan Tree Garden Design can make your back yard into a beautiful courtyard garden.

Make The Most of Your Space

Would you like to create distinct areas in your garden that make the most of even the smallest of space?
Gardens are getting smaller, yet we ask them to fulfil more functions than ever - playroom, dining room, storeroom and even kitchen.
As we can't all be lucky enough to have a large garden, it's good to know how to divide your space without feeling too boxed in.
One trick is to ensure you still see the full extent of your garden by using semi-transparent screening. Trellis is perfect for this kind of subtle division - there is a huge variety of patterns and shapes to choose from and flowering climbers such as Jasmine and Clematis look stunning during the summer months.
The same effect can be achieved using sturdier materials too. An alcoved brick or rendered block wall forms a lattice structure that still allows the light to get through. For evening entertaining and parties the gaps in the wall can be filled with candles to create ambiance.
Perhaps rather than subtle division, you simply want to hide your compost heap or keep the kids toys tidy and out of the way? For these kind of jobs you will need some solid barriers. A log wall is a good option for this as it will still give the coverage of a brick wall but is a cheaper and more flexible option - you can change the height easily or even remove the wall altogether if you fancy a change.
For smaller budgets, the best option for dividing your space is plants. You can use low, wide sections of box, a lavender hedge creating beautiful summer colour or barriers of raspberry canes which will also supply an abundance of fruit. Alternatively, you could simply choose your favourite pots and planters and fill with your favourite plants.

Once your space is divided, you can then go on to create your different areas. Perhaps a covered patio area to draw the eye outwards, thus giving the illusion of space. Your patio can the be covered with a retractable canvas canopy or trellis ceiling to bring the inside out!

For more information take a look at www.rowantreegardens.co.uk