Plant Combinations for an Abundant Garden. A. & G. Bridgewater

to stay fine, check the size of the sod rolls with the supplier – mostly they measure about 1 ft (30 cm) wide and 3 ft (90 cm) long – and then order slightly more turf than you think you will need.

      • Starting from the guideline, lay the first row of turf and gently ease and tamp them into place.

      • When you come to the second row, cut the first piece into half and then continue butting the second row hard against the first – so that the end joints are staggered from row to row, like a brick pattern.

      • Continue working across the site, standing on a plank on the turf that has just been put down, and always looking towards the next line of turf that needs to be put down.

      • When the turf has been down for about a week, use a half-moon edging iron or an old bread knife to trim and shape curved edges.

      • Watering newly lain sod is critical to its survival. The deeper roots that grass develops have been cut off, so the grass needs daily watering for several weeks depending on your soil and the weather.

       BORDERS

      In garden design, a border can be regarded both as an area for planting and as a three-dimensional element. Most modern gardens consist of four elements – lawns, paving, borders and water – so borders figure very highly in the scheme of things. When it comes to designing a border, there are three aspects to consider: the shape as seen on the ground, the character of the structure (the edgings, retaining wall and so on) and the type of planting it will support.

       How do I design a border?

       BORDER DESIGNS IN PLAN VIEW

      Informal edge-strip borders

      Formal, geometrical borders

      Informal island border in lawn

      Informal peninsular border

      There are only six basic types of border.

      • The edge-strip border that uses the boundary fence as a backdrop.

      • The geometrical border that relates to some sort of formal design.

      • The island border that is set within a sea of lawns.

      • The peninsular border that runs out from a boundary fence.

      • The border that runs hard up against the wall of the house.

      • The border that relates to some sort of functional scheme – it looks to the sun, is just the right width away from the wall for the wheelbarrow, or whatever it might be.

      When you come to design a border, you have to decide how you want it to figure in the scheme of things. For example, do you just want to break up an area of lawn, put distance between you and your neighbors, or create the illusion that your garden is, for example, wider or shorter?

       PLANTING SCHEMES

      A mixed border in summer is usually packed with color, texture and form. This example includes climbers on tripods, shrubs and herbaceous perennials in a variety of flower colors.

      Mixed borders have an exciting, dynamic nature – they are invariably colorful and vibrant.

       EDGINGS

      Edgings function on two levels: they physically prevent the earth of the border running over the path or lawn next to it, and they are a design feature in their own right – such as a wall, a row of tiles or a railroad tie.

       Raised borders

      Ready-made rustic log rolls are an easy option.

      A double- thickness wall is a good choice for a small garden.

      Red brick is a good traditional choice.

       MULCH

      A mulch has many functions. For example, while a mulch such as a layer of manure or tree bark prevents the soil from drying out, holds back the growth of weeds and rots down to enrich the soil, a mulch such as pea gravel or crushed rock holds in moisture, holds back the weeds and functions as a design feature in its own right.

       PERGOLAS, ARCHES AND TRELLISES

      If your idea of heaven is a mix of woodwork and gardening, you are going to enjoy building features such as pergolas and arches. Just think about it – a nice bit of woodwork followed by lazing under your beautifully crafted garden pergola, with a drink and a good book just within reach, all perfectly enclosed with an impressive trellises, with fragrant plants and dappled sunlight all around. Pergolas, arches and trellises can all be used to create instant features.

       Are these features easy to create?

      A pergola weighed down with a vine creates an eye-catching feature as well as a very private area.

      A ready-made arch is good for creating instant height, but plants will take time to grow over it.

      Plant-covered trellises are a good option if you want privacy. Use a variety of different climbers to add interest.

       PERGOLAS

      If you want to create an instant architectural feature in your garden – a place to snooze and play in the shade, a structure for growing climbing plants over, and an eye-catching focal point – then a pergola is an exciting option. The visual impact of a pergola clothed with a wisteria, a grapevine or a honeysuckle can be absolutely stunning. If you are wondering if there is enough room in your garden, a pergola can easily be shaped to suit your needs. It can be anything from four uprights topped with a handful of cross- beams – just large enough to sit under – or a lean-to structure made from rustic poles, through to a substantial brick and wooden walkway that runs the length of the garden.

      A lean-to pergola is a traditional option that is a very good choice for a patio area, especially in a small garden.

      Radial-topped pergolas provide distinctive points of interest.