When I posted a story on Instagram of myself bewildered at the garden centre, I was delighted when Joanna responded with simple yet gorgeous suggestions of what I could plant in my garden at the moment. So helpful. Especially for a novice like myself. I thought it might be helpful if she would share her expertise, what to plant in your garden now.
Joanna studied Garden Design at the prestigious Inchbald School of Design and is an RHS qualified horticulturalist.
Since setting up her design practice Joanna has designed and built a wide variety of gardens both in London and the country. She works with a select group of hard working landscapers who have a keen eye for detail and carry out the construction with great care. All trees, shrubs and plants are sourced from leading nurseries throughout the South East that deliver to your door. In addition, furniture, pots, lighting and water features are sourced for you so your garden is complete when she leaves.
I am very grateful to hand TLM reins over to Joanna, who can help you get your garden summer ready!
It’s a great time to add instant colour and texture to your borders. Take a good look at where the gaps are and how much sun those areas might get. Then make a shopping list before heading out (don’t get tempted by anything flowering at the garden centre…we’ve all done that, right?!)
Here are some fun combinations to help you get started…and head to www.crocus.co.uk if you prefer shopping online.
SUN LOVING FLOWER POWER
Combine the tall spires of Salvia ‘Caradonna’ with the swaying bells of ‘Penstemon ‘Apple Blossom’.
Cover any gloomy bare soil with a fabulous Geranium ‘Rozanne’ and contrast with the flat-head blooms of Achillea ‘Moonshine’ and Verbena bon.
‘Lollipop’. This long flowering combination will keep your borders full of colour and bees until the Autumn.
The plants are all knee-high so handy for filling up narrow borders or the middle of large flower beds.
A BIT SHADY
For half sunny/half shady areas, try Digitalis purpurea ‘Dalmation Series’ for a shot ofpurple in early summer.
Throw in some drifts of Astrantia ‘Buckland’ and edge the border with Alchemilla mollis for some zingy acid green. The Geranium wallichianum ‘Havana’ will be a pretty lilac carpet around the edges.
Towards the back put some Anenome ‘Queen Charlotte’ so you have something to look forward to in the Autumn.
SHADY AND DRY
Don’t despair if you’ve got dry shady gaps under trees and next to walls.
Get to know your ferns, this Polystichum setiferum has beautiful feathery fronds all year round
and is a great back drop to other plants.
For early summer colour combine the delicate Aquilegia ‘Yellow Bonnet’ with Geranium mac. ‘White-Ness’ to brighten up those pokey corners.
The Euphorbia robbiae will be a neon green carpet and looks great with Tulips (if you remember to plant the bulbs in Autumn). Liriope muscari has small purple spires to keep things cheery until the end of the year.
ACCESSORIES
I absolutely love this parasol from the East London Parasol Company. There are so many tempting brollies and some tasselled cushions if they take your fancy.
After you’ve done all that planting, have a sit down on one of these amazing armchairs from Fermob. The chair is £395 and the low table £145. I can’t recommend their furniture enough, it just never ever rusts and you can choose from 24 different colours!
Contact www.barbed.co.uk to place an order, note there’s a 4 week lead time.
Pretty melamine plates are always handy in the garden, this Paint & Petals range is
on sale in Anthropologie now!
Don’t miss these cool outdoor cushions, part of a new collection from Maisons du Monde
Good luck with your garden!
Joanna x
Why not contact Joanna if you have any further questions or want her to pop over to your garden – I have no doubt she will be able to help you!
