Watering Properly - Leicestershire Garden Design...Patio Picks OF THE MONTH The Transcend collection...

GARDENS & LANDSCAPES 1.

THE DESIGNER’S GUIDE TO CREATING THE PERFECT GARDEN

3 ESSENTIALSFOR PATIOS

GOLDEN RULESFOR WATERING

PLANT PROFILEPERFECT PEONIES

GARDENS& LANDSCAPESMonthly edition | June 2019

Watering Properly

Hedge CuttingTHINGS TO BE AWARE OF

WINgarden centre

vouchers worth

£100

WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW

2. GARDENS & LANDSCAPES

In this month’s Garden and Landscapes, we focus on the best tips, tricks and advice to get the best from your garden. Now is the time to really ramp up the care and attention you need give to your garden. The summer solstice, which falls on 21st June, marks the official start of summer… it’s finally here! The warm sun encourages us outdoors and into the pleasures of our gardens. It also encourages a flourish of growth from our plants, whether they’re the ones we want to grow or not! While weeding can be a tedious job, it’s vital to do it in the summer. Plants are competing for sun and water, and weeds getting in the way can hinder your prized plants. However, make sure you enjoy the long-awaited warmth with friends and family, in your garden or theirs. Just make sure you use sunscreen as excessive sun is damaging to both ourselves and our gardens.

JODIE FEDORKO, EDITOR

Welcome

ON THE COVERMr and Mrs Greenhalgh, Woodhouse Eaves, 2018

leicestershiregardendesign leicestershiregardendesignco@LeicsGardens leicestershiregardendesign

ARCHIVESee our previous editions on our website. Supplement your garden.

Patio picks of the month.

How not to cut your grass.

Nod to nature.

Paul’s corner- A message from our horticultural team.

5.6.7.8.10.

JUNE 2019

CONTENTSThoughts of a garden designer.

Getting the most from your garden.

Jobs for the month.

Marlow family garden inspiration.

What looks good this month.

2.

2.

2.4.

8.

This months plant profile.

Gardens to visit.

This months word search.

Last months competition winner.

Getting ready to Escape the Wild.

9.

10.11.

12.

12.


Thoughts of aGARDEN DESIGNER

Hey, it’s Jeff here, Here’s my thoughts on patios and my 3 essentials for getting this right. Most people think the number one essential for a patio is the paving slabs. That’s a fair argument, although the wrong paving slab laid in the wrong area is an aftercare problem. So, being part of a forward-thinking design company, I have strong beliefs about what makes a great patio space and you’ll be surprised to know paving doesn’t make my top 3. Here’s the list 1. The reason – why are you

investing in a patio and how often will you use it?

2. The position – the patio space should have the correct balance of sun and shade

3. The size – don’t build the garden around the patio, build the patio into the garden

To learn more about this email me on [email protected]

Kind regards

Jeff Randall

GETTING THE MOST FROM YOUR GARDEN

Chafer grubs can be a problem at this time of year if you are unfortunate enough to have an infestation. They live in the soil and feed on the roots of plants from mid- spring through to mid-autumn. You might notice plants suddenly wilting or even dying completely, yellow patches in the lawn, or cavities in root vegetables or potato tubers.

Chafer grubs are not all bad. They make a tasty snack for all sorts of birds and if you have chickens, they will love them. However, a combination of the chafer grub and larger animals that feed on them can quickly turn a lawn into something that resembles a ploughed field.

When those pesky grubs get out of hand, they can really ruin your lawn, so here’s how to recognise the problem and some advice on what to do about them. Look out for stout white bodies curved in a ‘C’ shape and light brown heads with three pairs of legs at the head end.

To control these plump pests, repair damaged turf by re-sowing with grass seed or laying turf in April when the chafer grubs have moved deeper into the soil to pupate. Poorly maintained lawns are thought to be more susceptible to damage, so pay attention to feeding, watering and moss prevention to avoid damaging infestations. In flower borders and vegetable gardens, infestations tend to be pretty light, so the moment you spot a plant that has suddenly wilted, simply search around in the soil around it and remove any chafer grubs you find.

Chubby Chafers

Y Mow your lawn at least once a week, but not too short!

Y Pinch out side-shoots on tomatoes to force their energy to fruiting.

Y Pay attention to tall and floppy plants, staking them with canes or decorative iron supports.

Y Hose pre-made summer baskets and pots are now ready to go outside.

Ashley’s Top TipEverything is having a growth spurt right now,

including the weeds. It seems like every few hours, something new pops up. Get to them early and often,

and it won’t feel such a chore.

Jobs for the month


Clean lines

THE MARLOW FAMILY GARDEN INSPIRATION

Location: Leicester

How long did it take? 10 days

When was it built?October 2018

Want to know how to add the WOW factor?

Call us now on 0116 214 7076

Where it beganOur Leicester based clients asked if we could update their old, tired paving areas in their back garden.

Their current garden was stepped on different tiers and consisted of mature flower beds. With no lawn in the back garden, the hard landscaping was a prominent feature. The combination of the old sandstone and slate chippings had become dated. A complete transformation was required to transform the old paving into a modern but sympathetic material.

How we carried out the transformationThe new paving choice needed to complement existing features in the garden that were to remain intact. To do this we used Lucent vitrified paving to replace the sandstone and slate chippings to create useable flat terraces over three levels. We laid the paving on full mortar beds and grouted using a resin-based eco grout to prevent weeds from growing between the joints.

At the start of this project, preparation of groundwork and drainage for hard standings included the introduction of an Aco channel drainage system along the house to capture any surface water running from the paved areas and prevent puddling and flooding of the garden.

The existing flower bed on the top level of the garden was clad with the same Lucent paving to retain the soil without introducing another material for a clean and consistent look. Where there were manhole access points, the paving was reset in a manhole cover, disguising it, whilst allowing maintenance access when necessary.

This complete transformation was achieved by only changing the paving material, meaning that the garden still maintained its mature planting.

The planting was kept in situ throughout the build and the new patio was worked around them without causing any disturbance.

Final resultsOur clients were delighted with their stunning new paving which has completely transformed their outdoor living space. Their new terraces are now more useable, safer and have no drainage issues.

This garden revamp hits the brief in every way as it is both in keeping with the existing features of the mature gardens and requires very little maintenance.

Replacing the Indian sandstone and plum chippings to one consistent material gave the garden a much-deserved facelift. The garden felt brand new again after only a subtle change.

To ensure this stays as good as new, we plan to pay four complementary aftercare visits to check everything is just as it should be. The whole family is looking forward to relaxing in this beautiful courtyard space.

Call us now on 0116 214 7076

Before

After

A Facelift for a Mature Garden to Bring It up to Date


GARDEN TIPS, TRICKS AND HACKS

Supplement your Summer Garden

Summer is, and always will be, the best season to get the most out of our gardens. Most plants are in full leaf or bloom and they are enjoying the warmth and light from the longer days.

If you enjoy having more flowers in your garden, then why not add more! Run out of space on your patio? Hang them from the walls! More plants mean you can create your own little oasis in your back garden.

Here’s our best advice for Summer bedding

With a vast variety of options in the garden centres and ever-increasing stock online, it can be difficult to know what’s the best choice, or what size plants to get. Plug plants are now the most common form of bedding plants, they’re cost effective and can easily slip through your letter box if ordered online. Plug plants come in mainly two sizes, ‘Standard’ and ‘Jumbo’ or ‘Garden Ready.’ Standard plug plants are approximately 7cm in height, grown in cells and need potting in 9cm pots for six to eight weeks to establish before planting out into the garden. They are great for colour in late season.

Jumbo or garden ready plug plants are exactly as they say - garden ready. These are a little bigger and have a more established root system to enable them to immediately survive in the garden. Great if you’re wanting instant impact. As they are young, their root systems form faster. which makes them establish quicker and stronger. Of course, traditional six-pack trays from garden centres are ideal for quick solutions or gap fillers, but you will need to make sure that they are watered so they take root.

If planting plugs in hanging baskets, feed is crucial to a full display. As bedding plants are so quick to establish and are usually planted in small pots or hanging baskets, they will use up the nutrients in the compost very fast and so this will need to be replenished frequently. Feeding once every two weeks during the growing season will be sufficient. You should also be watering bedding pots and baskets in the morning or evening, during warm weather. You will lose your plants very quickly if you fail to do so. It is worth investing in a lance spray adapter for your hose, which is perfect for hard to reach areas like hanging baskets or for getting to the soil underneath plants.

Easy Watering

Garden Ready Size

Fast Growing

Beautiful Bedding

THERE’S SO MANY OPTIONS OF SUMMER BEDDING PLANTS AVAILABLE, THAT THEIR LONG AND SHORT TERM CARE CAN BE TRICKY TO UNDERSTAND


Patio Picks OF THE MONTH

The Transcend collection belonging to Trex® is a deep wood-grain pattern with luxury colours creating a premium, ageless look. With no sanding, staining or painting needed and also being fade, stain, scratch and mould resistant, it’s perfect for a low maintenance patio area.

This stone front cladding is installed much like a tile in your kitchen. Quick and easy to apply, it looks like each individual stone has been laid. Perfect for a feature wall in your garden or to add interest in between steps.

Saxon is concrete paving is practical and non- slip and a firm favourite with families owing to its distinctive character, durability and cost effectiveness. Available in mixed pack sizes, it creates the perfect patio where children play and adults can relax.

A beautiful, angular, cream limestone, perfect for pathways, and groundcover in flower beds and driveways as it settles flat, wears well and gives a bright and professional finish. Cotswold Gold can be used where a natural buff colour is needed.

High quality Brazilian slate that is carefully hand selected from quarries for the beauty of its naturally occurring tones. Premium quality Riven Slate paving offers a stylish contemporary look with its characterful riven surface.

TREX® DECKING STONEFACE DRYSTACKRENDER

SAXON PAVING COTSWOLD CHIPPINGS RIVEN SLATE

Rendering gives the wall a solid, lightly textured cement look and can be used to either cover up existing wall material or as a new feature around outdoor kitchens and fire pits. There are many colours available, with white or cream being the most popular in modern and contemporary gardens.

Tom’s TOP TIPSYOUR MONTHLY GUIDE TO MAINTAINING YOUR GARDEN

A well landscaped garden without regular maintenance will eventually gather a build-up of detritus. Detritus (if you didn’t know) is an organic matter that becomes a growing medium for unwanted garden nuisances

such as moss and algae. These are not only an absolute eye

sore but are likely to damage the

hard landscaping of your garden if you allow them to compound. The compounded effect of detritus causes remedial problems, such as crumbling cement mortars and weakening of paving grout.

The only way to keep growing mediums like detritus away is to provide the landscape with regular aftercare. If you want your garden to grow without fear of future damage, email me on [email protected]

The curse of detritus


Many people try to achieve short, fine, bowling green lawns, but at what cost? Bowling green turf is a special blend of fine grass seed. This specific mix is not found in the grass seeds, mixes or turf that you would use in your gardens, so don’t expect to have a bowling green from a few short cut mows, it won’t happen. You’ll need to give it a lot more care

and attention to achieve that effect.

Avoid excessively close mowing, as although attractive, it can weaken the grass, encouraging shallow rooting and making the lawn more susceptible to drought, weeds and moss. Close-mown lawns need more frequent feeding and watering. For ordinary lawns this will be 13-25mm

How NOT to Cut Your Grass

(½-1in) in summer and up to 40mm (1.5in) in spring and autumn. If your grass is fairly long, don’t be tempted to go short on your first cut of the season as not only will you stress the grass, you will stress your mower motor too. Adjust the mower heights lower with each cut.

Watering is absolutely vital and a quick spray with the garden hose is simply not enough. All you’re doing there is wetting the top layer of the soil, making it seem that you’ve watered it sufficiently, but the water won’t be getting to the roots where it’s needed. Instead, it evaporates before it has time to get there! You need to soak the plant at the roots, which might mean getting under the foliage and directing the hose straight at the soil rather than the leaves of the plant.

3 Golden Rules for Watering your Garden

Ideally, water plants early in the morning to avoid evaporation loss and enabling the plant to use the water during the day. On warm summer days, evening watering is also likely to be effective. Dry soil will soak water in readily and low humidity at night reduces the risk of disease. Very dry soil will take a while to soak down completely; apply water a little at time to avoid waste water run-off. You may think you’ve applied a whole watering can, but really most of the water has run off elsewhere before getting to the roots. Take your time.

When there is a downpour of rain, especially during the summer, it can be tempting to skip your watering duties. Plants that are in pots or hanging baskets miss out from the benefits of rain because they are so tightly packed in a small space that the rain doesn’t actually get down to the soil. It hits the leaves and drips off the side of the pot. Unlike ground planted plants, they don’t have the opportunity to spread their roots in search for water, they’re bound by the side of the pot. While you may think rain alone is sufficient for your containers, in tightly packed containers the leaves shelter the soil, rain hits the leaves and drips off over the sides of the pot without making its way into the soil. Therefore, you will need to water pots and hanging baskets thoroughly, even after heavy rain.

EXPERT ADVICE

LAWNS ARE RESILIENT, BUT THEY STILL NEED THE CORRECT CARE TO FLOURISH

YOU MAY BE THINKING, WHO NEEDS RULES, WATERING IS EASY! AND, IT IS, IF YOU GET IT RIGHT


What looks good this monthFAVOURED PLANTS FROM THE GARDEN

Astrantia are extremely photogenic plants with their dainty button-like flowers. Grown in a range of colours, they will make a lovely addition to any garden border. Happier in dappled shade and moist soil, they’re easy to grow and great as cut flowers.

Gracing the garden in early summer, Lupins are a cherry addition to your garden borders. Their vibrant pea-like flowers are available in a range of colours, but be warned, the leaves do make a tasty treat to slugs and snags.

Gaura is a graceful, airy plant with wands of flowers resembling little butterflies. This exceptionally long flowering perennial looks at home in an informal cottage-style garden. Give it space so its wispy stems can lean and float effortlessly in mixed borders.

Although an annual, Sweet Peas are incredibly easy to grow. Blooming in a wide array of colours, they deserve a sunny spot in containers, on arches and trellis where they will twine and release their fabulous scent. Water well in hot weather and pick the pods for best performance.

A tough wildflower now cultivated for perennial borders, the aromatic, fine fern-like leaves set off the flat white flowers that appear to float above the foliage. Extremely attractive to wildlife, they are suitable for wilder parts of your garden.

ASTRANTIA MAJOR

LUPINUS

ALLIUM X HOLLANDICUM

GAURA LINDHEIMERI LATHYRUS ODOROUS

ACHILLEA MILLEFOLIUM

Nod to NatureYOUR MONTHLY GUIDE TO ENCOURAGING AND CARING FOR WILDLIFE IN YOUR GARDEN

Known commonly as Dutch Garlic, it has a very strong onion smell, but that doesn’t distract from its purple globe-like flower head. They have a striking silhouette and even look lovely when dried. Worth noting that the leaves do die back as it comes into flower.

Some mature hedgerows are protected by law, but this wouldn’t normally apply to garden hedges.

It is recommended to avoid cutting hedges and trees between March and August as this is the main breeding season for nesting birds. It is an offence under Section 1 of the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 to intentionally take, damage or destroy the nest of any wild bird while it is in use or being built, or to intentionally kill, injure or take chicks or adults, or intentionally take or destroy any eggs. It is an intentional act if you or your neighbour know there is an active nest in the hedge and still cut the hedge, damaging or destroying the nest or contents in the process.

Garden companion


Summer Watch What to look out for

Most trees are in full leaf, casting more shade onto the ground surrounding them, especially in woodland areas. There are many woodland floor plants that love this environment. When you go into a wooded area, notice where water may be running through and the temperature feels a little cooler. Lots of trees in one area creates a microclimate where lush green ferns and ground cover will thrive. Not every plant loves to be scorched by direct sunlight.

Spring flowering species are joined by mid and late summer flowering plants such as dog rose, enchanter’s nightshade and honeysuckle. Notice the pale pink simple flower of dog rose peeping through in field hedgerows. In a few months’ time they will form hips that native birds will feed from.

Myosotis sylvatica The unmistakable powder blue faces of Forget-me-not fill bare ground at this time of year. Their furry leaves host froths of yellow-eyed flowers, which are excellent for edging pathways or for under-planting spring flowering bulbs such as tulips or daffodils. Forget-me-nots, although a biennial, are very frivolous and you will find that you won’t have to re-seed every few years. Trim them before going to seed, and weed out new seedlings frequently if you don’t want a garden full of them.

Pretty in pink

Azure blue

Just simply elegant. Prized for their blowsy, glamorous blooms and glossy, deeply cut foliage, peonies are deeply loved by gardeners and amateurs alike. Despite their shortish flowering season and vulnerability to windy conditions, it’s easy to see why they are so loved. Apart from some additional support required to stake up their heavy blooms, this peony is relatively low maintenance. ‘Karl Rosenfield’ has fragrant double flowers of striking magenta from early to mid-summer among deeply cut mid green leaves. The reddish-bronze foliage provides interest from

early spring and long after the plant has flowered, the foliage remains attractive throughout the summer until frosts occur later in the year. Don’t be too keen to cut the leaves back, they are feeding the tubers ready for next year’s flowers. Peonies are classic garden plants and although they will only flower for about two weeks of the year, they are an incredibly long-lived perennial, possibly living up to 50 years! If you plant other cultivars of peonies with staggered bloom times. you can extend your flowering season to up to six weeks, perfect for mass plantings.

Paeonia lactifloraPLANT PROFILE

‘KARL ROSENFEILD’

Peonies seldom need to be moved or divided. In fact, peonies hate being transplanted. Should you need to move them, the best time to do so is in the autumn. However, as it is a stubborn plant, don’t expect it to flower again for a few years - choose your planting location carefully. Peonies enjoy full sun but will tolerate some light shade too, make sure the ground is moist and free draining for a happy plant. They are deer and rabbit resistant, making them incredibly robust.

Bud burstBeautiful blooms


Castle HowardYork YO60 7DA

A display of modern roses housed in a ten-acre walled garden with romantic Italianate trellises, hornbeam hedges and backdrop of brick walls, these gardens are a sheltered paradise of colour and intoxicating perfume, displaying 2,000 modern roses of all types.

Chatsworth HouseBakewell DE45 1PP

The RHS newest addition to the show garden calendar is RHS Chatsworth. A delightful mix of gardening inspiration, spectacular summer colour, have-a-go workshops and unique shopping within the magnificent setting of Chatsworth House. Open from the 5-9th June, tickets can be purchased on the day at entry.

Beth ChattoEssex CO7 7DB

Gardens established by renowned plants women, a masterclass in how to deal with tricky growing conditions, both dry and wet. A garden attached to the Chatto family home on land that had previously belonged to the Chatto family fruit farm.

Gardens to VisitSPRING SPENDOUR

A totally weed free bed is of course an impossible outcome as every inch of it contains their seed. However, only the seed in the top few inches will receive enough light to enable it to germinate. Turning over the soil in an attempt to solve the problem will only bring dormant seed to the surface. In wet conditions pulling weeds is best. In dry conditions, a sharp hoe is always king. A fresh layer of mulch over the beds will greatly help to suppress weeds.

Two inches is enough starve them of light. Mulching can also have the effect of making your annuals and already established perennials stand out, as the mulch will give a uniform background to enhance the display.

Think of weeding not as a chore, instead think of it as a way to get personal with the soil. Remember that every aspect of gardening is joy. During the summer I recommend weeding along with your favourite radio station, and a large glass of Pinot Grigio. You’ll soon achieve a state of weeding zen.

Horticultural Team LeaderPaul Jurgen-Ro

Paul’s CornerA MESSAGE FROM OUR HORTICULTURAL TEAM


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Did you know...The summer solstice which falls on June 21, is widely known as first day of summer. It’s the longest day of the year in the Northern Hemisphere and the day when we finally feel a new season has truly begun after a long, cold winter. The summer solstice marks the day when the sun is at its highest point in the sky for the year. In Latin, solstice, meaning “sun standing still,” references the sun’s place in the galaxy on this day. It is a day that has been celebrated since ancient times and is one of the earliest astronomical observations in human history.

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WORD SEARCH

* Please note that this competition ends Monday 17th June at 1pm *

Via Post:Leicestershire Garden Design CoUnit 11, The Warren, East GoscoteLeicesterLeicestershireLE7 3XA

Via Email:[email protected]

Your Name:

Address:

Email:

Phone Number:

Full terms and conditions can be found at www.leicestershiregardendesign.co.uk/terms-and-conditions-2017

Fill in the form and submit your entry via one of the following options

WIN

To be in with the chance of winning Gates Garden Centre vouchers worth £100, complete the word search.

Can you find 10 Summer Bedding plants?Lobeila

Zinnia

Petunia

Impatiens

Geranium

Sweet PeaBegoniaAntirrhinumCosmosOsteospermum

D Z A S M U N I H R R I T N A

E I R U T O I P L B N C H J E

R N A S M O L I G S A Z V R P

X N U E S B E U I C L H K E T

F I T Y P E T U N I A C V M E

D A E L I Z E B T H E R A C E

A S H P O I E G N M L P O P W

N Y N M N E L C U I L A S E S

R P E I U B D B E G O N I A K

I T G J K M M N S F E C V L Y

M C N E L P R D Y O M H K I U

P S F J H I B E N S S L T E P

A R P E P A S U P F N M R B E

T A C O S M O S L S T A U O N

I R P M E O N F F E O G Y L M

E S E W V J H M L P T E R H X

N G M K R A L N S E Y L T S A

S F E C T R I O H J R W E S T

B D S R Q M U I N A R E G T O


Congratulationsto last month’s winner...

Thank Youfor your continued support...Keshiv Sudera, Jenny Cross, Liam Deacy

GET IN TOUCHEmail us at [email protected] to us at Leicestershire Garden Design Co. Unit 11,The Warren, East Goscote, Leicester, Leicestershire LE7 3XA Call us on 0116 214 7076

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To say thank you for referring us to a family member or friend for a garden transformation, we now offer tea for two as a reward. If you haven’t already received your voucher, call us now on 0116 210 0760 to get yours.

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GARDENS& LANDSCAPES

• Featured case study

• July garden advice

• The thoughts of a garden designer

£100 Gates Garden Centre gift voucher

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Hilary Gillan

Have you, or anyone you know, been affected by Cancer? On 26-28th June, we will be trekking through nature to ‘Escape the Wild’ for Hope Against Cancer because we want to support something we believe in... And...

• Every penny we raise goes to Hope Against Cancer

• We want your support more than you could ever know.

I hope you find Hope as inspiring as we do. Thank you from the bottom of our hearts for your donations. To donate visit our JustGiving page: Jodie Fedorko

Watering Properly - Leicestershire Garden Design...Patio Picks OF THE MONTH The Transcend collection...

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Transcript of Watering Properly - Leicestershire Garden Design...Patio Picks OF THE MONTH The Transcend collection...