Some helpful tips when you’re shopping for plants

It’s a well known fact that in spring most keen gardeners thoughts turn to buying plants. Easter weekend is one of the busiest ones of the whole year for garden centres, so if you’re tempted to go plant shopping, here’s some helpful information.

I’ve written a lot about having a list of plants that will do well in your garden, and sticking mostly to this list will avoid the disappointment of a garden of sad and dying plants.

Another little thing to consider that will have a huge impact on your garden, is to include a wide range of plants that provide a source of food for bees, birds, butterflies and insects. They all contribute in their own little way to all the diverse little ecosystems that make everything work so well for us. These ecosystems are quite fragile and if one thing is missing, like a decline in the bee population, the impact is massive.

Simply include a few plants as a food source for all these little creatures and do your bit for sustainability. Here’s a list that will help to provide that food and they’ll look pretty as well:

Herbs & Annuals:

Angelica

Borage

Catmint

Cornflower

Dill

Calendula

Mint

Sunflower

Shrubs:

Buddleia

Pyracantha

Lavender

Rosemary

Sage

Hawthorn

Roses

Climbing Plants:

Honeysuckle

Ivy

Roses

Trees:

Fruit trees

Crab apples

Mountain Ash

Birch

As well as food they’ll also need a drink all year round, this can be as simple as a bird-bath or all the way up to a large pond.

Have a look here if you want to know more about how to choose the right plants for your garden.

I’m running some gardening classes at the moment, so if you want to know more about designing your own garden or gardening for beginners there’s information here.

Jill

all images: Jill Anderson