New Garden Trends
Drought-Resistant Garden
If you live in the south of England, you'll probably be sick of drought warnings and hosepipe bans. But even if you aren't affected by the current lack of rain, you'd do well to learn a bit about drought-resistant gardening since global warming is likely to give the whole country longer, drier summers. So what can gardeners do?
Fortunately there are quite a lot of options - many of which first went on display at the 2006 Chelsea Flower Show.
Firstly, you can begin to change the style of plants you choose to plant. Instead of opting for traditional moisture-loving flowers and shrubs, take a look south for inspiration. Locations such as the Mediterranean, North Africa, Mexico and parts of Asia have many gorgeous indigenous species that are perfectly adapted to drier conditions. And don't forget perennials such as grasses - many species are drought resistant and look stunning. You could even create a rock garden full of succulents - the ultimate camels of the plant world that can go months without watering - yet stay in tip top shape.
Next, collect and store as much water as you can, using traditional water butts as well as more modern ideas such as trapping water beneath patios and inside walls. "Gardeners should make the most of any downpours," says Guy Barter from the RHS. "I'd urge them to get a water butt if they haven't already." You can also reduce water loss from the soil using mulch, and try not to dig when it's really hot.
This feature was published in June 2006.
Most silver-leaved species, such as convolvulus are also extremely drought-tolerant, so you could also create shimmering silvery borders.
You'll find many useful species at Crocus.
Crocus also offer a range of wooden slatted water storage containers in a variety of sizes that will suit every garden. Connect them to the downpipe on your guttering, add a tap and you should soon have your own water supply for the garden. You can get oak barrel water butts from Oak-Barrel and you'll find a range of metal butts and water storage options at Crocus.
The idea is to dig a large hole in your garden and create a miniature underground reservoir inside by lining it with waterproof membrane. Stack specially designed plastic boxes on top of the membrane and you can build on top of it, laying a patio over the whole thing, for example. When it rains, water percolates through the patio and boxes beneath and is trapped by the membrane. A pump installed inside one of the boxes can then spray the water to wherever it is needed in the garden. You could even build a reservoir inside garden walls and under paths.
For details see the Bradstone website.
Firstly, you can begin to change the style of plants you choose to plant. Instead of opting for traditional moisture-loving flowers and shrubs, take a look south for inspiration. Locations such as the Mediterranean, North Africa, Mexico and parts of Asia have many gorgeous indigenous species that are perfectly adapted to drier conditions. And don't forget perennials such as grasses - many species are drought resistant and look stunning. You could even create a rock garden full of succulents - the ultimate camels of the plant world that can go months without watering - yet stay in tip top shape.
Next, collect and store as much water as you can, using traditional water butts as well as more modern ideas such as trapping water beneath patios and inside walls. "Gardeners should make the most of any downpours," says Guy Barter from the RHS. "I'd urge them to get a water butt if they haven't already." You can also reduce water loss from the soil using mulch, and try not to dig when it's really hot.
This feature was published in June 2006.
Hot Plants
With a bit of research you'll soon discover that there's no end of gorgeous flowers, shrubs and trees that can survive and even thrive with very little watering. Take plants that you see across the south of France, for instance. Lavenders, sunflowers and many herbs such as rosemary and thyme are perfectly suited to dry conditions. Paths lined with purple and white lavender and herbs, not only look stunning, but insects – and cooks – will love them too.Most silver-leaved species, such as convolvulus are also extremely drought-tolerant, so you could also create shimmering silvery borders.
You'll find many useful species at Crocus.
Supersavers
If you think capturing rainwater means ugly green plastic water butts, think again. There are a variety of gorgeous rainwater storage systems on the market – how about an aged oak barrel straight from a Scottish distillery? Or what about stylish silver galvanised or white metal water butts that will look fabulous on any patio?Crocus also offer a range of wooden slatted water storage containers in a variety of sizes that will suit every garden. Connect them to the downpipe on your guttering, add a tap and you should soon have your own water supply for the garden. You can get oak barrel water butts from Oak-Barrel and you'll find a range of metal butts and water storage options at Crocus.
Out of View
If you hate water butts but still want to collect water for the garden, have a look at an award-winning idea that featured in the Bradstone garden at Chelsea 2006. Bradstone has come up with an idea for sustainable water storage that is invisible once it's installed.The idea is to dig a large hole in your garden and create a miniature underground reservoir inside by lining it with waterproof membrane. Stack specially designed plastic boxes on top of the membrane and you can build on top of it, laying a patio over the whole thing, for example. When it rains, water percolates through the patio and boxes beneath and is trapped by the membrane. A pump installed inside one of the boxes can then spray the water to wherever it is needed in the garden. You could even build a reservoir inside garden walls and under paths.
For details see the Bradstone website.
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