Don't be afraid to go first!

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EB

Don't be afraid to go first!

by

Elspeth Briscoe

8 years ago

9

Hi - these areas of our site are pretty new. But don't be scared to go first! We'd love to hear from you wherever you are.

Ashley Newman · Answer 1 · 26th August 2016, 19:56:07

Howdy Peeps, Lovely Lincolnshire here....this very week I've planted a wonderful perennial 'cottage garden' wildlife attracting border for a client. Inspired by the 'Wildlife Birds, Bees & Butterflies' course that Andy McIndoe steered me through a couple of months ago. Planting was sourced online from Jacksons Nurseries - fantastic quality and speedy delivery! http://www.jacksonsnurseries.co.uk/ Client brief was for a wildlife attractant planting scheme to add to the existing plants to fill the border with colour, variety and scent. Pics available next week on my next visit.....stay tuned !! Ash

Ashley Newman · Answer 2 · 31st August 2016, 19:45:55

Howdy all, Update on pics for you = two narrow borders with established espaliers (Apple & Pear) & open country views....doing well and watered sufficiently!!

Elspeth Briscoe · Answer 3 · 31st August 2016, 20:27:30

Oh Ash how exciting to see this coming together! Thanks so much for sharing. Below is the course you mention I think in case others are interested.

Magnus Hall · Answer 4 · 12th September 2016, 20:18:16

Well done Ashley - can I ask - how many of you worked on it? We're doing something similar - would love some advise.

Ashley Newman · Answer 5 · 12th September 2016, 20:30:21

Hi Magnus, I did it myself with my clients watching intently. Once they agreed my suggested planting list, from order to planting took 10days - with 4hrs active planting after a little plant-placing experiment for colours and sizes of growth. The client gave me full flexibility with order and design, with a simple brief of 'wildlife attractant/variety of colours in a cottage garden style' . I kept them advised of my logic and choices as we went along. There are a mixture of bulbs in the border already - however, more bubs are being considered to add more impact. Hope this helps. Ash

Magnus Hall · Answer 6 · 12th September 2016, 20:32:49

Wow impressive. And helpful - thanks!

Deborah Spanton · Answer 7 · 12th February 2017, 17:11:00

I'm new to the Garden School and love your planting from 5 months ago! I have similar borders but with higher fences and would love to know what plants you used?

Ashley Newman · Answer 8 · 13th February 2017, 22:04:24

Hi Deborah, Your garden sounds fabulous and a brilliant space to enhance - especially those split levels; you'll need to keep those chickens away though - they just eat everything!! Crocus was the provider of most plants – I can’t find the exact planting list – sorry Hosta’s, Hellebores, Lavender, Penstemon, Hebe’s, Achillea, Choisya, Fuschia, Astrantia, Salvia, Geranium, Erysimum, Lythrum, Digitalis, Phlox, Pulmonaria, Potentilla, Agastache, Honeysuckle, Clematis & Jasmine. My client already had some variegated short grass, Euphorbias and Rose shrubs along with the backdrop fruit trees. http://www.crocus.co.uk/ The search filters on the site are very good and you can easily find suggested plants for any location When designing your plot, add some larger specimens in the scheme to add a variety of established heights – rather than have all planting at juvenile (small) stage! Spring is a great time for value offers on perennials so good luck with your design and planting plans. Plenty of other online providers, or peruse garden centres and look out for quality well kept plants! Try the Gardening for Wildlife, Birds Bees & Butterflies course by Andy McIndoe - an excellent 4 week process to transform your garden to attract more wildlife. Check out all my course assignments to get a flavor of each course I have already completed. Good Luck - Ash,

Ashley Newman · Answer 9 · 13th February 2017, 22:13:23

Just remembered also, Peony & Dahlia's too ..... enjoy,

Don't be afraid to go first!

Don't be afraid to go first!

Elspeth Briscoe

Gardening for Wildlife

Create a haven for wildlife. In association with the RHS

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