When it comes to providing visual interest and rich habitat for wildlife, diverse vegetation layers are essential.
Ground covers preserve moisture for as long as possible and don't absorb heat, so they help keep the garden cooler.
A tree canopy gives visual balance to the garden - as long as the scale matches that of the house. A canopy - even from one tree - provides a vital safe perching for birds and shelter for valuable pollinators.
When planting your shrub layers, keep the lowest plants at the ‘front’ - which is the direction that the garden is most commonly viewed from.
Having different heights of shrub, allows you to ‘stack’ plants to flower at different times of the year - so there’s always something for birds or pollinating insects - and some interest for human visitors!
My most crucial tip for a vibrant, interactive garden is this - question the “maintenance” mindset - as a garden designer friend of mine once said, “we used to call it ‘gardening’.
Instead of “maintenance” think of the time you spend caring for your garden as valuable exercise, stress relief and meaningful connection with nature - all so good for your wellbeing!
