Advice Hub

Bare-root plants are pretty easy to plant. Choose a day which is frost free and when the soil is not waterlogged.  Keep the roots of the new plants cool &moist (not wet) until you are ready to plant.
How to plant a bare-root tree:

1. Turn the ground adding plenty of compost & fertiliser
2. Dig a whole large enough to accommodate the spread of the roots
3. Place the tree in the whole ensuring the roots will be covered and the base of the tree is at the right level. Fan out the roots.
4. Place a tree stake alongside the stem & between the roots. Tap in to give the tree support & add a tree tie.
5. Back fill the hole, firming the soil and water the area thoroughly...

When the trees start to lose thier leaves at this time of year it's a sure sign that the dormant season is upon us. It’s the perfect time to transplant bare-root plants – those which have been raised in a field and then lifted & the soil removed. The added bonus of bare-root plants is that they are much cheaper than container grown plants.
 Autumn is a good time to plant them as there’s time for them to settle and establish before the warmth of the spring comes.  Trees & shrubs are available bare-root and from November onwards they’ll be offered in garden centres, nurseries and online.  As the plants are dormant there’s not much to look at but when selecting plants look for undamaged branches & bark to ensure the plants are fit and healthy...

Privacy is a real hot topic in garden design at the moment. With new housing developments, space is at a premium and so often is privacy. I am regularly called to see gardens which are overlooked by neighbours, the clients keen to create a space which feels relaxing and private. I have looked at the 'hard landscaping' options like timber screening and structures in a previous article - 'Garden Screening - Using Structures for Privacy' and now i want to look at the greener option of using planting to form a secluded oasis of calm. 

Most of my recent projects have included an arbour, pergola, arcade or similar structure within the design. Often i'm asked by clients to create some privacy within the space as so often gardens are overlooked by neighbours and these structures can do just that. Some gardens simply benefit from a structure giving height to the space and drawing your eye upwards - a great trick for making a space seem larger.  Garden arbours are useful for creating shade from the sun during the summer months so are ideally placed over patios in sunny spots. I also use garden structures to create zones or rooms within a garden which can make a space seem larger and i love to uses arches for sculptural purposes - to frame a view or pathway.  So what is the difference between a Pergola, Arbour etc... 
Arbours - a free-standing structure most often covered in climbing plants 
Arcades - a series of arches often over a pathway
Pergolas - a covered walkway, traditionally constructed of a double row of upright posts with support cross beams. These can also be attached to a wall along onside to form a shelter. 
Arch - typically consisting of a pair of upright posts with a cross support beam.
​And how can we use them in the garden.....

Increasingly often I’m being contacted by home owners who are overlooked by neighbours and would like more privacy.  I find that new build homes are often overlooked from all sides and can have as many as 5 neighboring properties having a clear view into the garden and through windows.
There are several options i recommend for screening in such circumstances. The style of the garden, level of maintenance required and the budget are all things i take into account when selecting the right option for a garden design plan.
Contemporary slatted screening:  A form of screening i’m using in a lot of gardens currently to give a modern sleek look. It can effectively screen unsightly buildings and shed, add height to boundaries and it can be used within the garden space to create zones. Depending on budget, there are several timber options to choose from – treated soft wood right through to beautiful hardwoods.
Bespoke timber screening:  Where height is required, free-standing timber screens can be erected. Using sturdy posts, bespoke trellis work can be designed and attached to give a screen above existing fencing....