We all dream of relaxing in the garden and admiring the exquisitely designed planting. However, I am likelier to spend time in the garden, weeding, or mowing the lawn.
Because I am a busy parent with a full schedule and little time to garden, my energy-saving and time-saving tips are essential. As a specialist in planting design, I have to start with the plants.
Perennials:
In the summer, new gardens will need to be watered daily. It is essential to choose the right plants for your garden. This will make it easier to maintain once they are established. Choose low-maintenance plants that are resistant to neglect and can last for long periods. The Geranium Rosane is an excellent choice. It has purple flowers throughout the summer and likes full sun to part shade. It is easy to establish quickly. Sedum specular has pink flowers in the late summer and fall. It is a versatile plant that prefers the sun but does enjoy being outside. You can cut a stem and place it in the soil. It will root out and become another plant. Crocosmia Lucifer is very resilient and easy to grow. It is a reliable and repeatable plant that returns yearly to form good clumps—Verbena Bonariensis self-seeds, filling in gaps and creating repetition within your garden.
Nepeta The ‘Walker’s Low’ has a low demand, silver-green, fragrant foliage, and purple flowers starting in May. Hellebores bloom all year, including spring. They also thrive in the shade. Euphorbia “Shorty” makes a beautiful, evergreen dome that adds structure to your garden in winter. If left to its own devices, it will grow in size every year and produce acid-green flowers in spring. If you want to reduce its height, you can cut it back where there are new shoots. It can also self-seed. Ajuga ‘Chocolate Chip” has beautiful evergreen, purple leaves and spreads to make a small mat of mauve flowers in the early summer: Aquilegia, Digitalis, and other species of ornamental grass self-seed. Many ferns can live in the shade and do not require too much attention. Polystichum Setiferum, a perennial fern, adds some winter structure. They are stunning when grown in large swathes. They look magnificent in frost, so do not prune them after they flower.
The garden owner is responsible for its maintenance. The plants I suggested only require a little maintenance for most of the year. They can be pruned in spring to bring them back to life. These plants have been tested and proven to work in my garden. They not only look beautiful in the winter, but they also offer winter protection from insects. If you can spend a few hours trimming them after they have finished flowering, your season of interest will be extended by several weeks, if not months. When I say “cut back,” I do not mean snipping every stem to its growing point. Grab a handful of stems and cut them in half. You will reap the rewards for your small effort right up to the first frost.
It is essential to understand your soil type. Although the plants I recommend will thrive in many soil types, if you are aware of heavy clay or other issues, it is essential to consider your options when choosing plants for your garden. North Aston’s horticultural experts will happily schedule a consultation to discuss your needs. Learn more about our consultations and book your Trees & shrubs
Amelanchier lamarckii is a great multi-stem plant that’s great for wildlife. It is manageable and requires little attention. It is a well-loved tree that has vibrant autumn colors and spring blossoms. Malus “Everest” is another small tree with spring flowers and crab apples in autumn. It is also beneficial for wildlife. Ceanothus can be found in sunny areas. It has beautiful, bright blue flowers and evergreen leaves. Callicarpa “Profusion” has small, bright violet berries in autumn and green leaves. It grows slowly. I mainly ignore mine except when I am amazed at the vibrant clusters.
Pots & Containers:
Bedding plants are dead! Instead, choose an attractive small shrub or perennial and decrease the number of pots. They need much water, which can waste time and water. You will see a lot more impact if you use the same plant or a smaller selection of plants in all your pots. It reduces the need for maintenance. Perennials and shrubs can last for several years rather than one season. You can plant a trough of Lavandula “Munstead” or a few Hebe pots of ‘Purple Pixie.” If you want to save on maintenance, herbs work best in pots. However, you can also plant them in the ground. Osmanthus burkwoodii is beautiful when cut into a dome or ball if it is a larger container. Winter evergreens are a great source of structure.
Lawn:
You can donate a portion of your lawn to wildlife; you should not mow that section. Do not fight the weeds. Keep the grass mowed and the long grass untouched (unless they are invasive). Leaving a border around wild grass or making a path through it will look amazing. You can create a beautiful oasis by mowing long grass or wildflower meadows.
