yardz

KEEPING PLANT SELECTION TO THE MINIMUM

Planting in micro-gardens is not easy. Selection of varieties has to be careful to prevent the design becoming 'busy' and detracting from any hard landscaping. Most planting exoerts beleive that planting in small spaces should be restricted to just two or three types of plant, with one of those accounting for about 60% of the planting.

Planting can be carried out at any time of the year as long as the plants have been grown in containers. It is best to complete planting in one go if possible so that the plants will all mature at the same rate.

An example of good minimalistic planting is when strong shapes are combined, the plants are generally evergreen and there are highlights of colour to contrast against these evergreens. For example the strong rounded shapes of  box, Buxus sempervirens, could be contrasted against the willowy movement of the grass Stipa. The Box would account for 60% of the planting and the Stipa 30%. It bring this to life, bright summer annuals such as Calendula could be planted through the skeleton planting to give highlight and tension.

   

TALKING RHUBARB

Rhubarb is the new healthy eating craze. During the second world war it was part of the countrys' staple diet, providing a fair amount of the nations vitamin C. Eaten in pies, crumbles and fools it kept the homeguard happy. After the war its popularity waned and people lost the taste for its acidic flavour. Now its back on the menu at top eateries where delicate forced rhubarb is served in all manor of dishes. Rhubarb, though is very easy to grow and plants can be easily bought now from local garden shops or centres. The best varieties are Champagne with sweet tasting pink-tinged stems and Timperley Early which is also very flavoursome and great for forcing.

Forcing rhubarb is a way to provide an early crop of very delicate fruit. A rhubarb forcer, rather like a large clay chimney pot, is placed over a rhubarb plant in early spring before growth starts and a lid put on the top. The warmth created by the forcer starts the rhubarb into growth. Once growth is well established the top can be removed to encourage the stems to grow towards the light. Once the stems have been picked the forcer should be removed and the rhubarb plant given a good feed. Plants should only be forced every other year so you'll need two plants to give fruit every year.

Seakale is forced in a similar way. Buy seakale as root cuttings in spring and leave them to grow for a year before forcing them in the same way as rhubarb. seakale plants don't need a rest between forcings but atfer three years it is usually best to replace them.

Rhubarb is great for the microgarden as it has wonderful decorative leaves and stems, is cheap to buy and no problem to look after.

ALFRESCO LIVING

The Corona set from Hartman combines curved edges with thick teak timber to create a truly unique set suitable for the most style concious gardener. www.hartmanuk.com

On special offer WAS £1999.95 NOW £1699.99

NEW HOUSING AND MICRO-GARDENS

With changes in the planning regulations, new houses now have far less outside space than they did ten years ago. Even larger detached houses in prime areas can have less than 30 square metres - many new houses have less than 10. THIS VALUABLE SPACE THOUGH, IS RARELY USED TO THE FULL BENEFIT OF THE OWNERS. Most revert to the 1950 & 60's ideal of a central lawn with ribbon side borders and a paved access path. New house builders do not help - show house gardens are often poorly designed with no regard to how residents will use the space. The house interiors have state of the art kitchens and bathrooms, carpets in the required neutral hues yet the garden is handed over as a turfed square with a small paved area. THE DESIGN OF THE OUTSIDE SPACE SHOULD REFLECT THE LIFESTYLE OF THE OWNERS. Builders should put the same into the exterior design options for potential buyers as they do for the interior. Until more is done to help householders to use and enjoy their yards to the full through education and example, there will be many outdoor spaces wasted.

A STRATOS FOR STELLATA

A great granite planter from Iota. The Stratos planter with its textured grooved side would be a perfect companion for a Magnolia stellata.

www.iotagarden.com

WOW! its almost Spring

Magnolia stellata - the star of spring flowers. Makes a compact small tree that is covered with the most amazing pure white flowers. Will grow happily in a large container planted in a loam based compost such as John Innes. Its slow growing so won't outstrip the smallest space and is fully hardy. It flowers from March to April and in a small enclosed space the flowers shouldn't be affected by frost.

Now on offer at £14.99  www.crocus.co.uk

GREAT NEW PLANTERS FOR 2008

A super range of Easy Grow polypropylene planters that are very hard wearing and durable as well as being great FUN. Polypropylene is enviromentally friendly as it can be recycled. The range includes these kitchen garden planters in a great range of bright colours - red, blue, green, yellow and grey.

A minimalistic looking Spud Tub and Strawberry Tub in 'metallic' grey will both give great crops with a different look. All the Easy Grow planters can be washed at the end of the year and rolled up for storage. The Strawberry tub can also be used for herbs and even bedding plants.

The strangest item in the range is the 'rocket' shaped Rhubarb Forcer in bright green, that will produce early crops with a superb flavour. www.founders-horticultural.co.uk

FLORAL SET

The Floral Bench from www.edgecompany.co.uk. Finely cast aluminium finished with a clear lacquer. Suitable for outside use but will speckle in the rain. The is also a painted black version .

TOP TEN TREES FOR VERY SMALL GARDENS

TOP TEN TREES FOR PLANTING NOW IN VERY SMALL GARDENS.

1. Amelanchier lamarkii

2. Aralia elata

3. Robinia pseudoacacia Frisia

4. Sorbus Joseph Rock

5. Catalpa bignoniodes

6. Acer Crimson King

7. Sorbus aria x magnifica

8. Liquidamber styraciflua

9. Gleditsia triacanthus Sunburst

10. Betula utilis Jacquemontii

 

PLANT OF THE MONTH 'Clemetis armandii'

Wonderful evergreen climberthat has mid-green foliage and blooms in early spring. The flowers are white with a pink tinge and amazingly almond scented. Great for a sunny south facing wall.

www.crocus.co.uk