Specialist Garden Advice

I offer expert and practical advice on all of garden plants, shrubs and trees. Including, which plants will work for you and your garden, and those that won't!  Advice that can save you money and give you exactly what you want.

Sourcing the best quality and varieties of plants from local suppliers, including the right sizes for economy or immediate impact planting, and guidance of accurate plant prices and what to expect for your money.

Advice on how to establish new plants and how best to care for them. Focusing on providing an easy way to understand planting plans if required, and a guide to a range of affordable and workable options to consider, giving you a realistic and enjoyable outcome.

Drop me a message for further information.

Your garden is about so much more than just plants, trees and shrubs.

Whatever you're thinking, whether it's a water feature, hard landscaping, child play area, statues, arches, lighting, garden furniture, new fencing or general layout I can offer an experienced view on practicalities, ideas and costings.

I offer an uninterrupted one off hour or two discussing any topic of your choice, specific ideas, or problems which can be a great investment for your gardens future.  

Drop me a message for further information.

Developing and growing a large coloured themed bed or border like the picture above can take several years. However, if you love the idea and want to start I can help.

Themed planting can be just colour, hot, cool, or Mediterranean style, Alpine rockery, Prairie planting, Wildlife and Eco planting.... 

The themed seasonal colours primarily come from hardy perennial plants and some summer annuals and shrubs. Together they can achieve the impact you want.

Whether a small or large border or perhaps a raised bed, I can show you several easy steps and options for you to consider. Instant impact is doable, but I can get you on the way by directing you towards a working a plan that has a sensible realistic budget.

Let me help by providing a comprehensive plant shopping list, options and planting plans that is scalable for you. Also, detailed advice on how to establish the new plants and how best to care for them. 

If this is the sort of help you want, please give me a call.

Raised flower beds bring a lot of practical advantages to any garden border, and they can fit in beautifully with most gardens. Plus, they can make your life a lot easier.

If your existing border soil is poor quality, they can improve this by adding soil depth and with tailored soil mixes they will be ideal for plants that need better drainage and growing conditions.

You could choose a theme, have just mixed seasonal colour or one genus of plant or with lots of different varieties of Alpines.....or how about a hot or cool summer bed?

Raised beds will keep plants protected from foot traffic, pets, and lawn edges, reducing accidental damage to your plants. And the raised height will reduce bending, stretching and kneeling, making planting, pruning, and maintenance much more comfortable.

So, if your interested please give me a call or drop me an email.

Roses in full flower remain as one of our favourite summer sights and typifies the traditional English garden.

Whether it's a climbing/rambling rose, a bush, shrub, ground cover or a 'David Austin' type rose there are several aspects to consider for successfully choosing the right variety.

You know what you want to see, you want fragrance, colour, shape and ease of care. But do you know what a good healthy rose look's like at the garden centre? Is it a repeat flowering variety? What's the best time to buy?...and how do I prune a rose correctly? There's so many questions, so let me help and advise you.

See the contact us tab for more information.

One of the most common questions asked is what to plant in a full or partial shade area of the garden....

It may be that tall trees, hedges or fencing block out most of the sunlight, also it's often where the soil tends to be dusty and dry. So, I can help with lots of soil improvement options along with some great ideas to bring some colour, texture and form to these areas.

Selecting and buying at the right time of year is also vital. Often people will go to the garden centre when they see the problem at it's worst, then buy what they see looks good at that time! I can show you a range of plants that perform amazingly well during different times of the gardening year.

Advising on the right selection of plants the first time is important, as is how to establish and maintain them. I can save you money and really improve that problem area of the garden.

Get in touch to find out more.

Are you ready to  start or expand growing your own fruit and veg ?

Nothing makes you feel better by harvesting your own fresher, more nutritious produce. And I think we all know now about the personal benefits to our physical and mental wellbeing by growing your own.

You control what goes into your soil and onto your plants, helping you avoid pesticides and potential health impacts and it's ideal for anyone wanting a more natural, organic approach to food. 

Also, children will have so much fun, planting , harvesting and understand better where food comes from, along with encouraging them to eat more fruit and veg. 

So if you want to start simple, have a new project in mind or need some experience to help solve a problem, please get in touch.

How would you like to have your own herbs to harvest?

Which varieties are easy to grow and maintain, which are the most aromatic..do you want to plant in the border, a raised bed or container?

Growing herbs in your garden can provide a space that offers culinary, ecological, and wellness rewards. They are often considered the best  and easiest way to start growing in your garden due to their low-maintenance nature and ability to thrive in small spaces like pots and containers.

If you want to have a go, have ideas you want to develop or have problems, why not drop me a note, I'd be happy to help.

Is there a better sight than seeing a wonderful brightly coloured hanging basket, planted container or pot in the summer?  How do your's compare?

Buying or making your own can be expensive, and sadly they're not always as successful as you would like. Some people know what they want, but don't know how to get there....or maintain that beautiful display throughout the season.

If your looking for some great advice or tip's, or even a demonstration get in touch.

Looking for that true dwarf tree for you patio?

True dwarf varieties can be difficult to spot, whether buying on-line or from your local garden centre. Most true dwarf tree's are grown by grafting on to a dwarf root stock, and differing root stock will indicate the eventual mature height of the tree selected.

There's some great traditional small tree's to choose from which are ideal for pots placed near the house, or on the patio, including flowering cherries, Salix, Lilac, Acers and Bay trees. Also, don't forget dwarf varieties of fruit, like apples, plums and cherries. And by selecting the right varieties, planting in the correct sized pot, with the right compost  will give you years of enjoyment.

Please let me know if you want more information.

Have you tried and been unsuccessful, or have you a bare wall, fence, arch or a pergola to cover. There are so many fantastic types of climbers available such as roses, clematis, honeysuckle, jasmine, wisteria, and hydrangea. Combining different types, if planned correctly can give you all year round flowers and/or leaves. Even some roses and clematis are repeat flowering during the summer & autumn.

There are always so many great climbers in the garden centres, particularly during the spring & summer months, when their show off flowers tempt you again and again. But there are some secrets to buying out of season, especially in the winter, and I'm able to share those secrets with you.

I can also advise you getting the right supporting structures in place, rate of growth, pruning or tying in methods, watering and feeding, and those that can be grown in pots & containers, Including, which plants will work for you in the space you have. 

Get in touch and we can discuss arranging a personal visit.

Are you looking for that special tree for the patio, or would you love to add and develop some amazing topiary plants to your garden?

More and more people are looking for that spectacular instant impact statement plant. However, as some of these can be costly I can help steer your choice and direct you to identify the best and most suitable pick from a vast choice available.

My experience also tells me that the majority of customers want these plants in pots, near the front doors, on the patio and certainly close to the house. Understanding the importance of keeping your tree/shrub alive, and in the best of health is vital to protect your investment. So, serious consideration should be given to the pot/container size, drainage, type of soil & compost mix, pruning/shaping, feeding and watering .

If you would like me to guide and advise, drop me a note.

What is more exciting than to see the new Spring bulbs breaking though the soil after a long hard winter! Snowdrops, Crocus, Tulips and so much more beckon the start of Spring.

Summer flowering bulbs (including Corms & Rhizomes) are often overlooked because of other fresh plants available in garden centres...but early planting of Begonias, Dahlias and Gladioli offer a burst of colour from late spring to the end of summer, and work out much better value than buying the same plants in flower during the summer.

Bulbs are available for planting during two periods....August to December for Spring bulbs and Summer flowering bulbs are available from Jan to April.

Both types can be used throughout the garden borders and are often used in containers and hanging baskets.

I can advise on how to grow and how to select true naturalising spring bulbs and which summer bulbs are best for the garden or hanging baskets. Let me know if I can help.

How are you getting on with the general upkeep of your garden?

Would you like an hour or two, in your garden talking about pruning, lawn problems, hedges or trees, pests or just updating your knowledge or skills? 

Have you ever wondered what the name is of a particular tree, shrub or perennial plant is?....I can help.

There is of course Mr Google...and that way can be very helpful, but it's not a one to one, specific time in your garden, with your problems, then every question and answer is relevant to you personally.

This session can be booked with another family member, or a friend. 

Drop me an email for further information.

Have you just moved into a beautiful new build house? And are you thinking, it's about time we did something about the garden, then why not give me a call first?

You'll have some idea's on what you really want from the garden but not quite know where to go and what to do to take the first steps. You could go the the garden centre and start buying plants...or do you wait until the patio is built, or extended.

You could meet with a garden designer or a hard landscape contractor but perhaps your not ready for the bigger investment yet.

If finding time to properly research the options is a problem you could speak to me first. Offering advice, guidance and idea's I'm also able to put you in touch with highly recommended local contractors, whether it be a full garden design, landscapers or the best plant suppliers.

Have you already met with a garden designer, got the design,  plant lists, a planting plan? Well I can help source the plants listed and with the layout plan.

Drop me an email for more information.

Do you have your home up for sale, or thinking about it?

Understanding the importance of first impressions when it comes to selling your property and thinking about how to increase the kerb appeal.

Have you considered how some basic improvements can also increase the saleability and sometimes the value of your property.

I can advise you about some simple tasks, ideas and enhancements which will help lift the front of the property to another level, and make it more attractive to potential buyers.....and it shouldn't cost the world! 

Please send an email for further information.