The English Garden A Year in the English Garden 2022

A while ago, I interviewed a gardener who told me his strategy when he was planning his garden was to focus especially on the plants that would deliver colour and interest in spring and autumn. Summer enjoys such a wealth of plants at their colourful peak, he said, it takes care of itself – in fact it’s almost impossible for your garden not to look good at that time of year. It’s true, I thought, guiltily recalling all the plants I’ve impulse-bought from the garden centre every summer. It’s easy to make sure your garden’s full of colour then; it’s the rest of the year that needs a bit more effort. That’s where our annual, A Year in the English Garden, supported by Bloms Bulbs, comes in. It will guide you…

Established in Holland in 1860 by Walter Blom, Bloms Bulbs has a long history of supplying quality bulbs. For spectacular spring displays, bulb quality must be top notch and plants should be true to name. “A red tulip is more than just a red tulip,” says Paul Blom. The first consideration for Paul and Chris is bulb size: the bigger the bulb, the more impressive the display. The bulbs stocked by Bloms are all size 12 and upwards. Other mail-order bulb suppliers tend to sell bulbs sized 10/11, and in garden centres they’re generally size 9/10. “Any new bulb we select must have good parents that are also good garden plants,” explains Paul. “‘Clara Butt’, raised in 1889 and one of the first modern garden tulips, is a classic example. It’s the…

Surely the sign of a great garden is one that performs at any time of the year? Denmans ticks this box and many others. Few are the gardens that you can honestly say look incredible in any weather, but I remember, some 20 years ago, sitting under a huge, wide-branched magnolia in such a downpour that there was no time to seek cover. It was at that moment that I understood what a great garden was. If it could look this good in the pouring rain, then imagine it in full sun. The magic of this four-acre space lies in its subdivision. Many country gardens make the most of a distant view or borrow from the surrounding landscape, but Denmans cleverly wraps in on itself to create internal vistas and separate…

Plant as nature intended Take a close look at the positioning of plants next time you go for a walk. Try photographing your favourite planting in black and white: this will let you see its form and structure. Use gravel At Denmans, the gravel is firm underfoot with a reassuring crunch. Consolidate the soil first with a roller, roll 10mm of pea shingle into the soil and finish with a loose 10mm layer. Think twice before using a weed-suppressing membrane if you want a natural self-seeded look. A quick brush with a stiff broom every few weeks will flatten any footprints and knock away unwanted seedlings. Create curves The flowing lines of Denmans’ pathways and lawns are difficult to recreate, but take inspiration from looking at the shape of natural streams from…

Packing a fragrant punch that belies the size of their tiny, inconspicuous flowers, these evergreen shrubs deliver an elegant look throughout the year. Also known as ‘sweet’, ‘winter’ or ‘Christmas’ box, sarcococca have small leathery leaves, and their clusters of aromatic flowers appear in winter or early spring. Not only will they delight passers by, they will also provide bumblebees and solitary bees with a dependable source of nectar at a time of year when it is generally scarce. From late summer onwards they develop glossy red, purple, or black berries that will often remain on the plant until the following winter. Sarcococca are perfect for creating gorgeous and fragrant winter displays in shaded areas of the garden. To make the most of their delicious scent, consider planting them close to…

Expert gardener and broadcaster Chris Collins is passionate about the positive impact of houseplants on mental health. “I wouldn’t be without my indoor plants,” he says. “They’re almost like flatmates. I’ve watched them grow and become familiar as individuals. It’s a very simple pleasure!” Here are his tips on winter houseplant care: Avoid temperature extremes Houseplant growth slows dramatically in winter, with shorter days and lower light levels. They can handle this without any problems, but attention to temperature levels is vital. Sudden changes in temperature will cause leaves to drop or brown at the edges. Don’t move plants too close to heat sources such as radiators or put them on cold windowsills. Water less often over winter Every two or three weeks is a good rule of thumb, although this is…