Linda asks…

Boring Front Garden - What Shrubs Are Best To Plant (UK Only Please) (Novice)?

Hi Guys

My front garden is really boring! At the moment it is basically a square area of grass, with flags leading from the gate to the front door, at the side. At the moment i have a couple of (dont know the name) sort of privet pointed things in pots under the window, which i trimm to keep in a triangle point, but i feel the garden needs a bit more.

I have a dwarf wall at the front edge of the garden and at the right side, so anything i plant can grow up the side of them.

Sorry if i sound like a mad women with the description of things, but im eager to get the garden looking great, as soon as i can. As a complete novice (new home owner) if anyone has any suggestions can you say exact name of plant, and if its available at normal uk garden centres please.

Cheers guys, thanks in advance for reading!

Kate

landscapeliving answers:

The options are almost unlimited, and a lot will depend on what style of house you have, what style of garden you like and how much time you have to put into it.

As you are a new home owner, I'm assuming you don't have much time to set aside for gardening, and low maintainance would be preferable. I'm also guessing that you're working on a limited budget.

Therefore I'd recommend buying just 1 or 2 things which will make an instant impact, but to but most of your plants young and small, so that they will grow over time and fill out - you have to wait, but it's much cheaper! - If you really want to get into it, then learn to take cuttings from shrubs you like from friends, family and local parks, and grow them on yourself

As for plants, I'd go for a nice clematis to climb along the wall - these are quite quick to establish and should cover your wall within a couple of years. And how about a mexican orange blossom (Choisya ternata ) or a mock orange (Philadelphus 'Manteau d'Hermine')

perhaps some english lavander to line your path?

By the way, I am guessing your mysterious triangle private things might be 'box' (Buxus sempervirens )

and don't forget to plant some bulbs - its not too late to do so now.

Try the bbc plant finder website and see what you fancy: http://www.bbc.co.uk/gardening/plants/plant_finder/index.shtml

good luck -

Jenny asks…

What low-maintenance shrub would you suggest for a small front garden in the UK, north-facing?

This shrub (or small tree?) will need to be planted in a fairly large, shallow planter with with good drainage. The front garden (yard) is quite small and the shrub will be in front of a bay window, so would not like something that grows too densely as it would block the light. The small front garden is also north-facing. I have the opposite of green fingers, so any help would be appreciated.

Thanks in advance.

landscapeliving answers:

I really love butterfly bushes (budellia). They don't get huge and if they get to high they are very easy to cute back. You would only have to do that once in a great while. They are flowering and you can choose from a variety of colors. Also before you plant make sure you know what grows best in your zone. There are also dwarf lilac bushes. So you can have the beauty and fragrance of a lilac without the huge shrub. The lilac is also a slow growing shrub so pruning wont be done for a long time. I have a gardening group on yahoo if you would like to join here is the link http://groups.yahoo.com/group/monroecountyseedplantexchange/

I hope this helps a little!

Chris asks…

Uk Garden Planner Software?

We've recently moved to a wonderful house with a really nice garden. I don't know much about gardening but am keen to make a go of it. Would love to find a software garden planner that will help me plan out the garden we intend to have. Ideally, the planner would identify shrubs, flowers, hedges and bushes in the UK so I can tell what we already have there. We intend to keep most of it.

Many thanks.

R

landscapeliving answers:

Hello, you might also try some charity shops found some good bargains on old software there.

Mandy asks…

What plants would grow best in my small shady east facing rear garden in the uk?

The garden is only small and part of a terraced unit and doesn't really get much sun after 3p.m. Most of the sunlight is between 9 and 12a.m. I'd like lots of greenery with some flowering shrubs. Generally though I'd like low maintenance plants. Can you help?

landscapeliving answers:

Hosta plants.

Thomas asks…

Small garden advice for a total beginer? UK?

I have a garden for the first time...it is only about 50 by 50 feet but is totally bare...just a lawn and empty borders all around....what can I put in now that is cheap, easy and will give a good show in the Summer...I cannot spend a lot and so shrubs and things are out of the question.....

landscapeliving answers:

Seeds are your answer, read the packets for the instructions, put the higher growing seeds at the back and ground cover seeds at the front, get a couple of packets every week with your weekly supermarket shop and you wont even notice you have purchased them, some seeds will even self seed at the end of the season so you can collect them up or leave them to self seed for next year.
You will still need to obtain some garden tools though but car boot season is just starting so try there before buying new stuff

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