A gardening expert has revealed the one flower to plant now to magically transform your garden into a colourful and vibrant space
As spring is well and truly underway, a gardening expert has urged homeowners to quickly plant this one show-stopping flower to instantly elevate their garden.
This time of year is all about revitalising our gardens following a long winter and preparing our space for a pleasant summer ahead. Gardening expert Paul Parker, CEO of bulbs and plants specialists J. Parker’s , has revealed his tips and tricks for quickly creating stunning border displays in your garden. No matter the shape, size, or position you are working with, Paul’s advice encompasses planning, preparation, and planting to ensure your garden borders are a success.
Paul advises gardeners to use low-growing perennials to help blend border edges. Perennials like coreopsis, creeping thyme, and pulmonaria are great because, as they begin to bloom, they can effortlessly soften harsh edges by filling in the gaps.
‘A more natural’ garden display
He explains: “Blending the edges of your border is a great way to create a more natural garden display. I usually avoid straight borders, as having a curved edge or following the natural forms in your garden can make your display look less rigid. If you want to achieve a curved border, you can use a hose to map out the shape before you commit to digging.”
These flowers are excellent for borders adjoining paths or patios, as they can gently spill over the edge, softening the boundary and fostering a more natural transition. Additionally, perennial blooms offer another surprising benefit for gardeners.
This time of year often welcomes unwelcome weeds in the garden, and removing these from your garden borders can be a tedious task. However, perennials act as a natural weed suppressant.
A dense planting of ground-cover perennials can help control weeds by blocking direct sunlight from reaching the soil. This ultimately leads to weeds competing for sunlight, water, and essential nutrients, which can result in their demise.
Paul explains: “Ground cover plants such as aubrieta, campanula, thymus serpyllum, and phlox subulata are excellent choices for suppressing weeds in full sun, while ajuga, leucothoe, and hosta thrive in shaded areas. Prepare the area by removing all existing weeds before planting, and consider adding mulch for moisture retention.”
With spring well underway, consider planting some perennials to instantly and naturally clean up the border of your plants and eliminate weeds. You might just be surprised by the results!
