What are the best plants and trees to add to your garden?

Transforming your garden into a lush oasis requires a careful selection of plants and trees. The right choices not only enhance the aesthetics but also provide year-round interest and support local wildlife. In this guide, we explore a variety of options, from towering trees to vibrant shrubs, to help you bring life and vibrancy to your garden. Don’t forget to have a look at your options for garden sheds to be able to keep all of your tools away properly no matter the weather. This way you don’t have to worry about what you’re using or if it’s going to be in good condition because you know that it will be. Whether you seek shade, colour or a combination of both, these recommendations will help inspire your choices when adding more plants to your garden.

Evergreens

Evergreens are invaluable additions to any garden, offering year-round beauty, structure and practicality. Their vibrant foliage remains lush and green throughout the seasons, providing a constant backdrop of colour and texture. Evergreens also act as reliable privacy screens, shielding your garden from prying eyes, wind and noise. Moreover, they serve as wildlife habitats, attracting birds and beneficial insects. Varieties like pine, spruce and cedar are easy to maintain, making them excellent choices for low-maintenance landscapes. Hedging UK offers a range of evergreen hedging plants such as Portuguese laurel, green beech and holly.

Perennials

Choosing perennials for your garden is a wise investment in lasting beauty and reduced maintenance. These enduring plants return year after year, offering a dependable source of colour, texture and fragrance. With a wide array of options like hostas, day lilies and coneflowers, you can create diverse landscapes that suit your style and climate. Unlike annuals, perennials require less replanting, saving time and money. They also promote soil health and attract pollinators. By carefully selecting perennials that thrive in your region, you can establish a garden that provides enduring charm and evolves with each passing season, making it a sustainable and enjoyable space each year.

Climbing plants

Selecting climbing plants for your garden is a captivating way to maximise vertical space and add lush, vertical interest. These versatile wonders, such as clematis, wisteria and honeysuckle, bring beauty and functionality to your outdoor space. Climbers can adorn walls, trellises and arbours, softening harsh structures and creating enchanting focal points. Many varieties produce fragrant blooms, attracting pollinators and creating an inviting atmosphere. Some even bear edible fruits or provide dense foliage for added privacy.

Wildflowers

Wildflowers are crucial components of ecosystems and play diverse vital roles in our environment. First, they support pollinators like bees and butterflies, aiding in the reproduction of many plant species, including agricultural crops. Additionally, they help control soil erosion by stabilising soil with their roots, improving soil health and water retention. Wildflowers also offer habitat and food for various wildlife species, promoting biodiversity. Furthermore, they enhance air quality by absorbing carbon dioxide and releasing oxygen. Their beauty and adaptability make them valuable for landscaping and rewilding efforts, enriching our landscapes while fostering a sustainable and biodiverse natural world.

Herb collections

Herb collections are a delightful and practical addition to any garden or kitchen. These aromatic plants provide a steady supply of fresh, flavourful ingredients for cooking, enhancing culinary creations with vibrant tastes and aromas. Moreover, growing and cultivating your own herbs can be an educational and rewarding experience, deepening your understanding of plant care and herbal remedies.

Fruit and veg

Growing your own fruit and vegetables in your garden is a rewarding and sustainable endeavour. It allows you to enjoy the freshest, most flavourful produce right at your doorstep. Not only does it save money, but it also reduces your carbon footprint by cutting down on transportation and packaging. Gardening fosters a deeper connection with nature and provides a sense of accomplishment as you nurture plants from seed to table. Moreover, it encourages a healthier diet, packed with vitamins and nutrients.

Native plants

Native plants are a superb choice for your garden, promoting local biodiversity and requiring minimal maintenance. Consider including bluebells, known for their enchanting springtime displays, and foxgloves, which attract bees and add vertical interest. Meadowsweet offers delicate white flowers and is excellent for damp areas. Red campion provides vibrant pink blooms and yarrow boasts clusters of small, white flowers that draw pollinators. All these native plants are well-suited to the UK’s climate and soil conditions, making them eco-friendly and visually appealing choices for your garden.

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5 herbs to grow in your garden in 2023

Herbs are an essential part of a healthy lifestyle as eating them daily may help support the body from the inside out as they provide a wide range of nutrient-rich compounds. This includes vitamins, minerals, antioxidants and other phytochemicals that nature has provided for human consumption. Furthermore, herbs have four major components that flavour dishes and boost health. Such components include essential oils, glycosides and alkaloids; their pleasant aromas give our meals an extra layer of goodness. One must include herbs and spices in their diet for nutritional benefits and unique tastes.

Why are people moving towards growing herbs in their gardens in 2023?

Many people have been growing herbs in their garden this year, and for good reason. Individuals find the experience of gardening and the satisfaction of harvesting their produce stimulating and rewarding. Additionally, cultivating herbs at home allows one to experiment with different spices and seasoning to add range to their cooking repertoire and enhance the flavour of dishes.

Gardening is also an environmentally conscious choice as it reduces waste from store-bought products with packaging and which often requires more transportation before reaching our tables. Lastly, growing herbs is an economic decision since home-grown plants are typically more affordable than purchasing herbs from the supermarket regularly. These factors combine to create an appealing option for consumers wishing to regain control over how they access fresh produce.

5 herbs to grow in your garden

1. Lavender

Lavender is an attractive, fragrant, low-maintenance herb that can add life and interest to any garden. Its gentle aroma can fill the air, and the purple flowers attract pollinating insects. Lavender thrives in well-drained soil and direct sunlight and is suitable for growing direct in the ground or pots. Whether you choose a single plant or a grouping, lavender is a beautiful choice to jazz up your garden. And with plentiful benefits such as improved relaxation and enhanced sleep quality, this helpful herb provides additional comfort for homeowners looking to promote overall health and well-being.

2. Mint

Mint is a popular herb for your garden due to its hardy nature and great flavour. It prefers moist soil and partial sun, so it can sometimes be more suitable for shady patches than direct sunlight. Planting mint in containers is also an excellent way to ensure the roots don’t spread too far out and overrun other parts of your landscaping. Harvesting it regularly helps keep the leaves fresh, sweet-smelling, and full of flavour throughout the growing season – perfect for garnishing salads or adding a tangy kick to tea!

3. CBD

CBD, or cannabidiol, has become a popular topic lately but what many people don’t know is that it is an excellent herb to grow in the garden. It’s relatively easy to cultivate and requires very little maintenance. With light watering and good sunlight, CBD plants will multiply and you can enjoy its attractive foliage in no time. Its beautiful leaves come in shades of green, purple and even pink, making it an aesthetically pleasing addition to any garden. Moreover, accessing quality CBD oil in UK after harvesting your plant can be far cheaper than buying it from stores. Cannabidiol could genuinely be a great decorative shrub for your urban outdoors!

If you were wondering – yes, it’s currently legal to grow hemp in the UK. However, you’d need to apply for a license from the Home Office to grow hemp in your garden. Moreover, only hemp plants with less than 0.02% THC are permitted to be grown in the UK.

4. Rosemary

Rosemary is a delightful addition to any garden. It’s low maintenance and drought tolerant, making it an ideal plant for almost any environment. To get the best results, position your rosemary in an area that receives plenty of sunlight and has well-drained soil with a pH of around 6-7. Regular pruning in spring can encourage good growth, while fertilising once or twice a year will promote lush foliage. When harvesting the leaves, trim just above where leaves join stems not to disturb the plant’s natural shape and vigorous growth habits. Occasional watering during dry spells will prevent wilting, but too much moisture may make it susceptible to soft rot fungus and other diseases. With proper care and attention, rosemary can provide mouth-watering flavour to your culinary creations for many seasons!

5. Sage

Growing sage in your garden can be an excellent experience for both novice and experienced gardeners. Sage is hardy and relatively easy to grow, provided you have the right conditions. This herb prefers full sun, though it can withstand some light shade. Soil with good drainage is essential; the soil pH should range between 5.6 and 6.8 (slightly acidic to neutral). Watering sage frequently but lightly during dry spells will ensure optimal growth.

Additionally, mulching is recommended to help conserve water and prevent weed growth. Lastly, pruning should be done regularly to allow new shoots to develop and become more vigorous plants with more potent aroma.

Things to bear in mind when growing herbs in your garden in 2023

If you plan to plant herbs in your garden this year, there are a few things to remember:

Begin by finding the right location: herbs need at least 6 hours of sunlight daily to thrive.
Also, herbs require good soil drainage; waterlogged soil can lead to root rot and quickly kill plants.
When it comes time to water your herbs, watch for signs that they might be thirsty; look for curling or wilting leaves and water accordingly.
Observe if your herbs begin to display discolouration or insect damage. It could be time to use some gentle organic pest control methods like introducing helpful predatory insects into your garden or using neem oil spray.
Finally, when harvesting your herbs, ensure you leave sufficient leaves on each plant, as it’s essential for allowing them to continue producing healthy foliage and flowers!

Conclusion

In conclusion, growing herbs is a great way to access fresh and tasty ingredients while adding a bit of natural beauty to your home. Most herbs are incredibly easy to grow and require little maintenance or effort. Planting herbs in pots allows you to enjoy their fresh flavour outside your door or indoors in window containers. Additionally, many herbs have medicinal properties that can be used for healing or incorporated into health and wellness routines. Dozens of herb varieties thrive in various climates, from cold temperate regions to hot, humid ones. With the proper care and attention, anyone can successfully grow herbs at home and reap the many benefits they offer!

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Get their look: Urban jungle

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This living room is like a tropical paradise! The small space is packed full of healthy, lush, tropical houseplants; it’s just tremendous – and we’re so jealous!

my.jungle.at.home shares her Dutch urban jungle home with a pair of cute scaly-headed parrots (Polly & Cücük), a chameleon, a boa constrictor and a Burmese python… as you do!

Since moving here, we’ve found it really hard to find houseplants that are able to survive in the challenging environment that is our cottage. The walls are constructed from really thick stone, the windows are small and it’s very draughty. The house is often cold and dark, especially in the winter months; not the best habitat for most houseplants.

Although most of the plants listed below need warm, bright and humid conditions, a couple of them are flexible and able to cope with a range of settings. But more on that subject soon…

Alocasia Portodora | Upright elephant ear
Philodendron scandens | Sweetheart plant
Calathea orbifolia | Orbit peacock plant
Maranta ‘Light Veins’ | Unicorn plant
Dieffenbachia ‘Reflector’ | Leopard lily
Dieffenbachia | Dumb cane
Alocasia ‘Regal Shield’

Get their look

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Alocasia ‘Regal Shield’

Dieffenbachia | Dumb cane

Dieffenbachia ‘Reflector’ | Leopard lily

Maranta ‘Light Veins’ | Unicorn plant

Calathea orbifolia | Orbit peacock plant

Philodendron scandens | Sweetheart plant

Alocasia Portodora | Upright elephant ear

Alocasia ‘Regal Shield’

Dieffenbachia | Dumb cane

Dieffenbachia ‘Reflector’ | Leopard lily

Maranta ‘Light Veins’ | Unicorn plant

Calathea orbifolia | Orbit peacock plant

Philodendron scandens | Sweetheart plant

Alocasia Portodora | Upright elephant ear

Factors to consider before using an online plant delivery service

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How much time people spend at home varies and depends on several factors like the type of work they do. While some people spend the better part of their day at work or on the road, others are indoors – almost round the clock. Remote work has always been a thing, but many people will agree that the events that took place in 2020 really made it popular.

But regardless of whether you spend the whole day at home or not, the home should still look nice right? For people who work from home, it’s especially important that the home look lively if you’re to enjoy working and spending so much time in it. Click here to learn more about how your workspace can affect remote work.

There are a few ways to go about this. One, you could repaint the area you’ve set up as your workstation with a colour with much more energy. Many people think white is the way to go, however, several studies have shown that white tends to have a negative effect on workers’ productivity. Experts recommend other punchier colours like blue, red and green.

If this sounds like a lot of work, there’s a simple change you can make that would have a drastic effect on you and your workstation. Live plants can drastically affect you and your workstation for the better. There are several benefits that come with having them around including increased productivity, better mood, reduced stress levels, improved indoor air quality and much more.

Rather than have your whole house repainted, a few flowers here and there can have as much effect if not more. What’s great is that you can purchase a wide range of species from the comfort of your home. All you need do is find a reliable plant delivery service and you’re all set. Once you complete your purchase order, the plant is shipped straight to your door. Talk about convenience!

But for first-timers, it’s easy to make mistakes buying plants via the internet or using a delivery service. In this post, we’ll go over a few factors you might want to consider before using an online plant delivery service.

Reputation

When it comes to plant delivery, reputation is a big consideration for many customers and there are a few reasons for this. One is the fact that a lot can go wrong when transporting the ordered plants. For example, the vase or pot could get cracked or broken during transit or the plant may be damaged; and this isn’t uncommon for larger specimens.

While issues like these are a part of the business, some companies and brands handle them better than others. These are the ones from whom you’d want to purchase. Aside from the fact that they’re constantly seeking ways to reduce or eliminate these problems, they have returns policies that are favourable to their customers. Visit Planted Pot to learn more.

Delivery and delivery area

This is really important as online plant delivery services usually have defined areas to which they deliver. You want to make sure that the one you choose delivers to where you live before placing an order. One would think that this should be a no-brainer, but you’d be surprised just how many first-timers make this mistake. Sometimes, this information isn’t on their website so, you may have to send an email or put a call through to make your inquiry.

Let’s say they deliver to your area, that’s great. Now you also have to find out what days in the week they make those deliveries. This is also important as some plants may be delivered without a vase or much soil, this is often called ‘bare root’. If these plants aren’t replanted straight away, they’d wilt and suffer. So, to avoid such a loss, ensure the delivery is made at a time when you’re available at home.

Price

We know plants have a lot to offer to a home, but you don’t want to break the bank to buy them. There are many online nurseries that buyers can choose from and with so many options, you have the luxury of comparing prices which is a good thing if you’re on a limited budget.

The prices of plants are affected by several factors. The availability and species could drastically influence prices as some are quite rare. The pot may also add cost to the purchase as some are beautifully designed and made. But of course, some shops allow their customers to choose whether they want a special planter or not. Most people choose those specially hand-designed pots when they’re making the purchase as a gift for a special person or occasion. Visit https://www.lifescarousel.com/unique-houseplants/ to find rare and unique house plants.

Plant variety

This is also a key consideration as online plant delivery companies with a wide variety of plants on their sites are usually the more established ones. Aside from that fact, it’s just preferable to have so many options to choose from because this way, you’re more likely to find a few that are worth purchasing in your home. If you’re a big spender, you might want to be a little careful as you may end up buying more than you intended!

Final thoughts

So far, we only talked about the companies and not our home and the plants. Before buying one, you must ensure that you have enough space for it. Ample natural light is very important to most plants, so also have this in mind. Finally, you’d want to know how large the plant grows before bringing in it to avoid space problems in the future.

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Tag: plants