Many gardeners are beginners. I see this from the number of gardening bloggers who say so, and from my experience living in and about a large city where people work constantly and are afraid to plunge into having much of a garden, because they don’t know how to put one together or how to look after a garden once they have it.
People constantly say that they don’t want to be tied to the maintenance of a garden–they work, they are away in the summer–and that is why they give up the joy of having their own personal piece of paradise.
One easy way to have a garden look after itself is to know what the conditions of the various areas of your property are and to plant only plants that love to be in those conditions. An experienced garden designer would never do otherwise!
Our children’s best memories of playing outdoors include careering down a muddy hill on an old bin bag, snowball fights, splashing in muddy puddles, running around in torrential summer rain and drinking hot chocolate in their den on an icy night winter picnic.
You may be surprised that most of these activities weren’t done on a perfect sunny day but on cold or wet days when most of us would probably choose to stay indoors. But wild weather days can offer the best, most exciting and thrilling outdoor adventures, so with the aim of inspiring more children to get away from screen based entertainment and get outdoors, The Wild Weather Book was born.
So get dressed up in your wild weather gear and rush outside any time of the year to discover the joys of the rain, the snow, the ice and the wind and get in touch…
‘Everyone has Hostas’… OK so you may think them unfashionable, but I love them… the whole growth process – new shoots spearing up above the soil surface (right now in Old School Garden), the unfurling leaves, the full blousy foliage and the delicate flowers of pinks, lavenders and whites.
Otherwise known as the ‘Plantain lily’, Hostas come originally from eastern Russia, China, Japan and Korea. They are very hardy. Most of the 40 – 70 or so species (there is disagreement over the exact number) and over 7000 cultivars are grown for their foliage, though for many the flowers are also noteable. True perennials, their foliage dies back and they descend underground over winter, to send up new growth spears in spring and achieve their full glory in summer with some varieties flowering into early autumn. Some species also give a second, albeit brief, display in autumn.
Hosta ‘Ginko Craig’ flower
Hosta fortunei ‘Picta’ flower
The leaves vary between round, ovate, lance or heart – shaped and are between 12cm and 50cm in length. They come in all shades of green, some solid in colour others with margins or centres variegated in shades from white to golden yellow. Flowers range from bell to trumpet shaped, and are held in one-sided racemes or ‘scapes’.
‘Bette Davis’ eyes’
‘Fried Green Tomatoes’
‘Sweet Sunshine’
Hosta ‘Bressingham Blue’
Hostas will grow in full sun to full shade – they flower better if in the sun and the yellow-leaved varieties also do better in full sun. Overall, however, they tend to do best in dappled shade and where they are away from the hot noon-day sun (the blue – green leaved varieties have more intense colouring in the shade). They need moisture at their roots and this is even more the case in full sun – so they need watering in dry spells and generally do best in moist ground which is rich in organic matter and neutral to slightly alkaline . Foliage will start to wilt if they are too dry. They can be easily propagated by division at almost any time of year – a sharp spade or knife thrust down to split the roots is all that’s required.
Slug and snail damage
Pest problems focus on slugs and snails which can nibble the emerging shoots – such damage can scar the leaves for the rest of the season, so preventative and quick action to remove slugs and nails is crucial, especially in early spring. Sometimes, especially in water – logged ground, the plants can be susceptible to ‘crown rot’ and if this is the case they should be moved to a more suitable site. Hostas have low levels of allergens. Some Hostas are edible, their young shoots being forced and harvested in the far east, eaten sauted or rolled in proscuitto!
Hosta border edge
Hosta grouping
Hostas and Lillies
Mixed Hosta planting
Hosta ‘Royal Standard’ flowering
Hostas look good in groups around ponds and damp areas, and are particularly useful in areas of medium to light shade. Their foliage makes for a bold texture so they are good as focal points, contrasting well with grassy – like leaves and stems. They are also good in containers where the leaves and flowers can be seen close up. I grow most of mine this way, in black planters in our Courtyard Garden – the black provides wonderful contrast to the rich greens and yellows of the foliage. But it’s important to keep them well watered once growth starts. Other ideas for using Hostas include:
‘Plant different varieties in large masses or drifts for reliable color and texture in the garden.
Brighten shady garden areas with gold or variegated hostas.
Use hostas to bridge gaps in seasonal perennial bloom.
Variegated hostas with white or cream margins paired with other white flowering plants glow in “moonlight gardens” when homeowners arrive in the evening from work.
Hosta leaves emerge just as spring bulb foliage starts to fade, hiding it from view.
A single hosta in a container is dramatic and sculptural. Hostas look great in containers paired with other foliage plants or annuals. Remember to provide adequate water.
Plant fragrant hostas close to paths and walkways for best appreciation.
Use small hostas for edging along walkways and flower borders.
Hosta leaves and flowers are attractive in floral arrangements.’
The Courtyard at Old School- a complete refurbishment of a once ‘unloved’ space
Old School Gardener
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Our children’s best memories of playing outdoors include careering down a muddy hill on an old bin bag, snowball fights, splashing in muddy puddles, running around in torrential summer rain and drinking hot chocolate in their den on an icy night winter picnic.
Old School Garden 