Care: Soil should hold moisture but be well drained and not too fertile. Do not deadhead as grasses can often look pretty during winter months and will add extra interest. Cut down to ground level in the spring to give room for the new growth. Propagate by division or seed.

Ornamental Grasses in our Garden: Below is a selection of grasses we have in our garden; click the image to Buy your Own

• Types of Plants – Evergreens - Evergreens are plants that keep their leaves all year round although they do tend to shed a few along the way. Share and Enjoy: ...
• Types of Plants – Hedges - Hedges are trees or shrubs which are planted close together to form a continuous row of foliage. They are usually cut to maintain a particular shape and height. Share and Enjoy: ...
• Types of Plants – Biennials - Biennials are herbaceous plants that complete their life-cycle in two years. Growing in the first year and flowering in the next. Some plants grown as biennials are actually short-lived perennials, they tend to be dug up after flowering because they do not perform well in their second year. Share and Enjoy: ...
• Types of Plants – Hardy Perennials - Hardy Perennials die down each autumn and grow again the following spring so they can stay in the ground all year and only require to be split every three to five years. Share and Enjoy: ...
• Types of Plants – Half Hardy Perennials - Half Hardy Perennials are similar to hardy perennials in that they will also die down in autumn and grow again the following spring, however, they cannot withstand frost so they require to be protected over the winter or taken into a greenhouse. Share and Enjoy: ...

Care:

• Choose healthy plants either bare rooted or container grown
• Clear the ground of all weeds
• The addition of organic matter or fertilisers is not required unless the soil is particularly sandy
• Water the plants well before planting
• Plant at regular intervals in holes big enough not to constrict the roots
• Water in well and apply a mulch to help retain moisture and keep down weeds
• Some species benefit from being pruned immediately after planting, check the label for details
• Shoots should be reduced to about 10cm
• Most deciduous plants should be reduced to about one-third in the autumn after planting
• Evergreens and informal hedges should not be cut-back until they are at least a year old.

Unfortunately we don't have any hedges on our property. Here are some examples of plants which make great hedges, click the images to buy your own.

• Types of Plants – Ornamental Grasses - Ornamental Grasses thrive in open positions in full sun in the herbaceous border, as a specimen plant or in containers. Share and Enjoy: ...
• Types of Plants – Evergreens - Evergreens are plants that keep their leaves all year round although they do tend to shed a few along the way. Share and Enjoy: ...
• Types of Plants – Ground Cover Plants - Ground Cover plants are low growing, spreading shrubs which can cover a large area of ground, usually quite quickly. They suppress weeds and require very little attention. Share and Enjoy: ...
• Types of Plants – Biennials - Biennials are herbaceous plants that complete their life-cycle in two years. Growing in the first year and flowering in the next. Some plants grown as biennials are actually short-lived perennials, they tend to be dug up after flowering because they do not perform well in their second year. Share and Enjoy: ...
• Types of Plants – Hardy Perennials - Hardy Perennials die down each autumn and grow again the following spring so they can stay in the ground all year and only require to be split every three to five years. Share and Enjoy: ...

Care: Clear the ground of weeds and dig over the soil, add well-rotted organic matter and fertiliser if required. Water the plants thoroughly before planting. Dig a hole twice as big as the pot. Plant at the same level as it was in the pot. Firm well, water and mulch.

Ground Cover Plants in our Garden: Below is a selection of ground cover plants we have in our garden; click the image to Buy your Own

*Photographs owned by Linda Peppin if you wish to use these photographs in your own work please drop her a line using the contact us link below.

• Types of Plants – Evergreens - Evergreens are plants that keep their leaves all year round although they do tend to shed a few along the way. Share and Enjoy: ...
• Types of Plants – Hardy Perennials - Hardy Perennials die down each autumn and grow again the following spring so they can stay in the ground all year and only require to be split every three to five years. Share and Enjoy: ...
• Types of Plants – Shrubs - Generally smaller than trees with either a very short main stem or multiple stems. They are long living plants grown for their flowers, foliage or fruits.They come on many shapes and sizes and can be grown in almost any part of the garden. Shrubs can be evergreen or deciduous. Share and Enjoy: ...
• Types of Plants – Trees - Trees are woody perennials usually with a clean main stem with branches above. Most trees are deciduous but there are some evergreens. Share and Enjoy: ...
• Types of Plants – Ornamental Grasses - Ornamental Grasses thrive in open positions in full sun in the herbaceous border, as a specimen plant or in containers. Share and Enjoy: ...

Evergreens in our Garden: Below is a selection of evergreen plants we have in our garden; click the image to Buy your Own

*Photographs owned by Linda Peppin if you wish to use these photographs in your own work please drop her a line using the contact us link below.

• Types of Plants – Ground Cover Plants - Ground Cover plants are low growing, spreading shrubs which can cover a large area of ground, usually quite quickly. They suppress weeds and require very little attention. Share and Enjoy: ...
• Types of Plants – Ornamental Grasses - Ornamental Grasses thrive in open positions in full sun in the herbaceous border, as a specimen plant or in containers. Share and Enjoy: ...
• Types of Plants – Shrubs - Generally smaller than trees with either a very short main stem or multiple stems. They are long living plants grown for their flowers, foliage or fruits.They come on many shapes and sizes and can be grown in almost any part of the garden. Shrubs can be evergreen or deciduous. Share and Enjoy: ...
• Types of Plants – Trees - Trees are woody perennials usually with a clean main stem with branches above. Most trees are deciduous but there are some evergreens. Share and Enjoy: ...
• Types of Plants – Hedges - Hedges are trees or shrubs which are planted close together to form a continuous row of foliage. They are usually cut to maintain a particular shape and height. Share and Enjoy: ...

Care: Before planting dig the soil thoroughly, remove all weeds and incorporate lots of well-rotted organic matter. Add fertiliser and improve the drainage if required. Make a hole two or three times the width of the plant and deep enough to ensure the plant is deeper than it was in the pot to help avoid clematis wilt. Ensure that the hole isn't too close to walls or fences as this can cause the plant to dry out quickly. Keep it well watered until established.

Most climbers do not require any pruning however, clematis and wisteria perform much better when strict pruning is carried out:

• Wisteria: once a framework has been established and flowering is over, cut-back the long whippy growth to about 15cm followed by a further pruning to 2-3 buds in mid-winter.
• Clematis: early large flowering species should have some of the old growth cut back after flowering. Early flowering species such as Montana and Alpina can be cut back hard every few years. Late flowering species should be pruned to 15-30cm from the ground during January/February.

Climbers in our Garden: Below is a selection of climbers we have in our garden; click the image to Buy your Own

*Photographs owned by Linda Peppin if you wish to use these photographs in your own work please drop her a line using the contact us link below.

• Types of Plants – Evergreens - Evergreens are plants that keep their leaves all year round although they do tend to shed a few along the way. Share and Enjoy: ...
• Types of Plants – Hardy Perennials - Hardy Perennials die down each autumn and grow again the following spring so they can stay in the ground all year and only require to be split every three to five years. Share and Enjoy: ...
• Types of Plants – Half Hardy Perennials - Half Hardy Perennials are similar to hardy perennials in that they will also die down in autumn and grow again the following spring, however, they cannot withstand frost so they require to be protected over the winter or taken into a greenhouse. Share and Enjoy: ...
• Types of Plants – Biennials - Biennials are herbaceous plants that complete their life-cycle in two years. Growing in the first year and flowering in the next. Some plants grown as biennials are actually short-lived perennials, they tend to be dug up after flowering because they do not perform well in their second year. Share and Enjoy: ...
• Types of Plants – Bedding Plants - Bedding Plants are usually used to fill gaps in the borders for a temporary affect. Once flowering is complete they can be disposed of on the compost heap. They mainly consist of Half Hardy Annuals. Share and Enjoy: ...

Care: There are bulbous plants for most conditions from bright sunshine to deep shade, the thing they have in common is that they all hate sitting in the wet and will often rot away if the situation isn't well drained. Plant spring flowering bulbs such as crocus, daffodils and snowdrops between August and October, leaving tulips until late October or early November. Summer flowering bulbs should be planted from mid spring. Incorporate well-rotted organic matter and a balanced fertiliser at planting time and add some grit to heavy soils. Most bulbs should be planted 2-3 times their depth but check the packaging carefully.

Deadhead the flowers regularly and apply a low nitrogen, high potassium fertiliser in subsequent years. Lift and divide if they become overcrowded.

Many bulbous plants are threatened in the wild so it is important to buy bulbs from cultivated sources only.

Bulbs, Corms and Rhizomes in our Garden: Below is a selection of Bulbs, Corms and Rhizomes we have in our garden; click the image to Buy your Own

• Types of Plants – Ground Cover Plants - Ground Cover plants are low growing, spreading shrubs which can cover a large area of ground, usually quite quickly. They suppress weeds and require very little attention. Share and Enjoy: ...
• Types of Plants – Hardy Perennials - Hardy Perennials die down each autumn and grow again the following spring so they can stay in the ground all year and only require to be split every three to five years. Share and Enjoy: ...
• Types of Plants – Half Hardy Annuals - Like Hardy Annuals these plants live for just one season and will die after flowering and setting seed. However, they cannot stand the cold so should be planted out after all risk of frost has passed. Share and Enjoy: ...
• Types of Plants – Hardy Annuals - Hardy Annuals are herbaceous plants that live for just one year; they will die after flowering and setting seed and should then be composted. Share and Enjoy: ...
• Types of Plants – Biennials - Biennials are herbaceous plants that complete their life-cycle in two years. Growing in the first year and flowering in the next. Some plants grown as biennials are actually short-lived perennials, they tend to be dug up after flowering because they do not perform well in their second year. Share and Enjoy: ...

Care: Like Hardy Annuals, Biennials can stand the cold so seeds are sown outdoors in Spring to flower the following Summer and it is important that the soil is not too rich or it will encourage leafy growth instead of lots of flowers.

It is possible to buy two year old plants during Spring which flower that Summer. Clear the ground of all weeds and keep them well watered. Add plenty of well-rotted organic matter when planting and stake tall plants. Deadheading regularly throughout the growing season will encourage more flowers although you may want to leave some flowers to allow them self-seed around the garden and save you some work. In autumn, after flowering and once the plants begin to die down pull them up and put on the compost heap.

Biennials in our Garden: Below is a selection of biennials we had in our garden this year; click the image to Buy your Own

• Types of Plants – Hardy Annuals - Hardy Annuals are herbaceous plants that live for just one year; they will die after flowering and setting seed and should then be composted. Share and Enjoy: ...
• Types of Plants – Bedding Plants - Bedding Plants are usually used to fill gaps in the borders for a temporary affect. Once flowering is complete they can be disposed of on the compost heap. They mainly consist of Half Hardy Annuals. Share and Enjoy: ...
• Types of Plants – Half Hardy Annuals - Like Hardy Annuals these plants live for just one season and will die after flowering and setting seed. However, they cannot stand the cold so should be planted out after all risk of frost has passed. Share and Enjoy: ...
• Types of Plants – Hardy Perennials - Hardy Perennials die down each autumn and grow again the following spring so they can stay in the ground all year and only require to be split every three to five years. Share and Enjoy: ...
• Types of Plants – Half Hardy Perennials - Half Hardy Perennials are similar to hardy perennials in that they will also die down in autumn and grow again the following spring, however, they cannot withstand frost so they require to be protected over the winter or taken into a greenhouse. Share and Enjoy: ...

Care: Buy plants during early Summer once all risk of frost has passed. Clear the ground of all weeds and keep the plants well watered. Add plenty of well-rotted organic matter when planting and stake tall plants. It is important that the soil is not too rich or it will encourage leafy growth instead of lots of flowers.

Deadheading regularly throughout the growing season will encourage more flowers although you may want to leave some flowers to allow them self-seed around the garden and save you some work.

In autumn once the plants begin to die down pull them up and put on the compost heap.

Bedding Plants in our Garden: Below is a selection of half hardy annual used as Bedding Plants that we had in our garden this year; click the image to Buy your Own seed to grow or visit your local garden centre in early summer for colourful displays of bedding plants in flower.

• Types of Plants – Half Hardy Annuals - Like Hardy Annuals these plants live for just one season and will die after flowering and setting seed. However, they cannot stand the cold so should be planted out after all risk of frost has passed. Share and Enjoy: ...
• Types of Plants – Hardy Annuals - Hardy Annuals are herbaceous plants that live for just one year; they will die after flowering and setting seed and should then be composted. Share and Enjoy: ...
• Types of Plants – Half Hardy Perennials - Half Hardy Perennials are similar to hardy perennials in that they will also die down in autumn and grow again the following spring, however, they cannot withstand frost so they require to be protected over the winter or taken into a greenhouse. Share and Enjoy: ...
• Types of Plants – Biennials - Biennials are herbaceous plants that complete their life-cycle in two years. Growing in the first year and flowering in the next. Some plants grown as biennials are actually short-lived perennials, they tend to be dug up after flowering because they do not perform well in their second year. Share and Enjoy: ...
• Types of Plants – Hardy Perennials - Hardy Perennials die down each autumn and grow again the following spring so they can stay in the ground all year and only require to be split every three to five years. Share and Enjoy: ...

Care: Alpines should be sited in full sun away from trees and in extremely well drained soil, if in doubt, add lots of extra grit. Alpines do very well in sink gardens or raised beds which show off small specimens. Many thrive in cracks between bricks in walls or between paving slaps in pathways.

Pests and Diseases to watch out for:

• Aphids: Treat with a suitable pesticide such as fatty acids
• Birds: Plants may be torn to pieces. Lay lengths of cotton across the plants as a deterrent
• Caterpillars: Remove by hand
• Cutworms: These pests eat through the plant just below soil level. Lift the damaged plant to expose the grub and remove by hand
• Slugs: Can completely devour a plant in one night. Use biological control such as nematodes or buy a prepared solution from your local garden centre

When deciding where to site your rock garden bear in mind the following requirements. Position it in a sunny area away from large trees or shrubs. Any good garden soil will do but it must be gritty and well drained. If yours isn't, then dig in a good amount of coarse sand and/or stone chippings.

The stone you use for decoration can be any natural, weathered stone but Tufa is also useful. The rocks should be firmly placed in the soil to ensure that don't move as the plants grow and should look as natural as possible.

If space is limited the best way of growing alpines is in raised beds, sinks or troughs. These can be as small or as big as you want and as long as they have good drainage holes the plants will do well. Place crocks over the drainage holes and add a planting mixture of 2 parts good loam, 1 part of peat or peat substitute, 1 part coarse sand and 1 part of stone chippings.

Allow the soil to settle before planting; planting in groups will give the best affect. Weed regularly by hand, do not feed and water only during dry spells. Each year dress the top of the soil with some of the planting mixture to keep it looking neat and to keep the roots covered.

• Types of Plants – Shrubs - Generally smaller than trees with either a very short main stem or multiple stems. They are long living plants grown for their flowers, foliage or fruits.They come on many shapes and sizes and can be grown in almost any part of the garden. Shrubs can be evergreen or deciduous. Share and Enjoy: ...
• Types of Plants – Trees - Trees are woody perennials usually with a clean main stem with branches above. Most trees are deciduous but there are some evergreens. Share and Enjoy: ...
• Types of Plants – Conifers - Conifers are similar to trees but there are a number of biological differences, most are evergreen but some are deciduous. They make great architectural features in a garden, particularly planted in groups, they also provide excellent ground cover. Share and Enjoy: ...
• Types of Plants – Hedges - Hedges are trees or shrubs which are planted close together to form a continuous row of foliage. They are usually cut to maintain a particular shape and height. Share and Enjoy: ...
• Types of Plants – Ground Cover Plants - Ground Cover plants are low growing, spreading shrubs which can cover a large area of ground, usually quite quickly. They suppress weeds and require very little attention. Share and Enjoy: ...

Care: Plant Half Hardy Perennials in autumn or spring. The site should be well prepared and lots of well-rotted organic matter incorporated, remove all weeds and ensure the soil is well drained, water well before planting and a good layer of mulch.

Deadhead regularly to encourage flowering throughout the season but keep a few heads in place to produce seeds for the following year. Once flowering is over and the plant starts to die back cut back the dead growth to ground level to keep the site tidy and cover with horticultural fleece or a cloche to protect them over the winter. Alternatively dig up the plant, place in a pot and keep in a greenhouse until the risk of frost is passed.

Half Hardy Perennials in our Garden: Below is a selection of hardy perennials we have in our garden; click the image to Buy your Own:

• Types of Plants – Hardy Perennials - Hardy Perennials die down each autumn and grow again the following spring so they can stay in the ground all year and only require to be split every three to five years. Share and Enjoy: ...
• Types of Plants – Half Hardy Annuals - Like Hardy Annuals these plants live for just one season and will die after flowering and setting seed. However, they cannot stand the cold so should be planted out after all risk of frost has passed. Share and Enjoy: ...
• Types of Plants – Evergreens - Evergreens are plants that keep their leaves all year round although they do tend to shed a few along the way. Share and Enjoy: ...
• Types of Plants – Bedding Plants - Bedding Plants are usually used to fill gaps in the borders for a temporary affect. Once flowering is complete they can be disposed of on the compost heap. They mainly consist of Half Hardy Annuals. Share and Enjoy: ...
• Types of Plants – Ornamental Grasses - Ornamental Grasses thrive in open positions in full sun in the herbaceous border, as a specimen plant or in containers. Share and Enjoy: ...