Winter Archives - British Garden Centres https://www.britishgardencentres.com/blog-section/winter/ Thu, 14 Mar 2024 08:44:23 +0000 en-GB hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=6.5.3 Unleashing the potential of evergreen plants in your garden https://www.britishgardencentres.com/evergreen-plants-garden/ https://www.britishgardencentres.com/evergreen-plants-garden/#respond Thu, 25 Jan 2024 17:16:10 +0000 https://www.britishgardencentres.com/?p=98504

Unleashing the potential of evergreen plants in your garden

Evergreen plants are the unsung heroes of the garden, providing year-round beauty and structure. Unlike deciduous plants that shed their leaves during autumn, evergreen plants maintain their foliage throughout the year, offering a consistent backdrop for your garden when other plants are dormant.   So, what are the benefits of using evergreens, in this blog we will help you find out more.

Greenery all year round

One of the key benefits of evergreen plants is that you can create a garden that remains vibrant and visually appealing, even during the dormant winter months. The enduring presence of evergreens brings a sense of stability and continuity to your outdoor space.  Evergreen plants offer a constant backdrop for other seasonal plants and their foliage can provide a sense of continuity, even when other plants have died back for the season, ensuring that your garden maintains its visual appeal all year round.

Versatility

Whether you're aiming for a formal garden design or a more naturalistic urban setting, evergreen plants can be adapted to suit various landscaping styles. From conifers and hollies to boxwood, laurel, bay and yew, British Garden Centres offers a diverse range of evergreen plant options for different textures, colours, and growth habits, allowing you to craft a garden that reflects your unique vision.

Low-Maintenance

Another advantage of evergreen plants is that they are relatively low maintenance, making them ideal for all gardeners.  Once established, many evergreens require minimal pruning and care, making them an ideal choice for gardeners seeking a fuss-free and sustainable landscaping solution. With proper planning and placement, evergreens can thrive with little intervention, meaning you can relax in the green oasis that you have created.

Privacy

Many evergreen plants, such as hedges and shrubs, are excellent for creating privacy and screening in your garden. Their dense foliage can act as a natural barrier, shielding your garden from prying eyes or hiding unsightly views. This can be particularly valuable in urban or suburban settings where you may have overlooking neighbours or things like wheelie bins to hide.

Wildlife havens

Evergreen plants also provide valuable habitat and protection for wildlife. The dense foliage and year-round shelter make them an attractive option for birds, insects, and small mammals to protect them from predators or to make nests. By incorporating evergreen plants into your garden, you will create a sustainable habitat for nature to thrive.

Our top picks of evergreen plants:  Skimmia, Euonymus, Choisya, Hebe, Daphne, Sarcococca, Rhododendrons, Ferns, Laurel, Photinia, Pittosporum, Ligustrum, Box, Yew, Conifer.

Thanks for reading.

]]> https://www.britishgardencentres.com/evergreen-plants-garden/feed/ 0 Beautiful winter planters the British Garden Centres way https://www.britishgardencentres.com/beautiful-winter-planters-the-british-garden-centres-way/ https://www.britishgardencentres.com/beautiful-winter-planters-the-british-garden-centres-way/#respond Mon, 15 Jan 2024 18:56:43 +0000 https://www.britishgardencentres.com/?p=98180

Our guide to creating beautiful festive home decor

With the festive countdown now on, the next few days are the perfect time to add last-minute Christmas touches and decor to your home. With a little creativity and some simple DIY projects, you can transform your living space into a winter wonderland. Your local British Garden Centres stores will provide some inspiration and fun and easy ways to create beautiful yuletide ideas for your home.

What plants to choose?

Our plant team can help you illuminate your garden in winter with colourful foliage, grasses, evergreen shrubs, and conifers for height and structure at the container's centre. Complement them with vibrant winter bedding for an impressive display. Our picks for this season include:

Winter blooms: Pansies, violas, cyclamen, winter Jasmine, hellebores camellia, winter aconite and primroses for a kaleidoscope of colour on shorter days.

Evergreens for all year round: Viburnum, buxus, holly, mahonia, skimmia, heucheras, rhododendron, azalea, and hebes green leaves contribute to winter interest. Winter-flowering heathers, daphne, and sarcococca also can add fragrance and visual appeal.

Berried plants: Callicarpa, gaultheria, holly, pyracantha, cotoneaster and snowberry provide shiny, bright fruits for a January container. They also provide a valuable food source for birds in the winter.

Potted spring bulbs: Your local centre may have flowering bulbs in stock to add beauty to your winter planter. Snowdrops, crocus, daffodils, and tulips signal spring's arrival after a long, dark few weeks.

Aromatic herbs: Rosemary, sage, thyme, lavender, parsley, chives and mint add fragrance and can withstand chilly weather, offering utility in winter comfort food.

Which container

Your local store will have a wide range of planters for you to choose from, whatever your garden style. Look for a container that is sturdy and durable for the chillier weather and year-round use. Terracotta, wooden, earthenware, and glazed ceramic pots are resilient enough to endure January’s wintery conditions, surviving frosts, snow, rain and whatever the UK weather can throw at it.

Ensure chosen containers have ample drainage holes at the bottom and consider using pot feet or stands during the coming weeks to aid drainage, prevent waterlogging, and deter pests. For the ultimate winter planter with multiple plants, we advise choosing a sizable container with at least an 18-inch diameter, comfortably accommodating around ten plants.

Create height and depth in your winter container

Select plants that naturally grow tall or have an upright habit such as focal shrubs like cordyline, dwarf conifers, or ornamental grasses. The vibrant insignia of Cornus stems, underplanted with winter bedding, perennials, and small shrubs, guarantee an illuminated outdoor space. We recommend creating a layered effect by placing taller plants at the centre or back of the container and gradually decreasing in height towards the edges. This helps establish a sense of depth and structure.

Winter care for your planters

As sunlight levels decrease, position containers where they receive maximum sunlight. Group several containers together in a sheltered spot, mulch for insulation, and protect individual pots with horticultural fleece or bubble wrap to keep plant roots warm. While feeding is unnecessary, grouping plants with similar needs together will make maintenance more manageable. Additionally, water the containers appropriately, as winter winds and lower temperatures can lead to soil drying out more slowly than in warmer seasons so check with your finger the moisture first.

Thanks for reading.

]]> https://www.britishgardencentres.com/beautiful-winter-planters-the-british-garden-centres-way/feed/ 0 New Year, New Garden: Revitalise Your Garden with These New Year’s Resolutions https://www.britishgardencentres.com/revitalise-your-garden-with-these-new-years-resolutions/ https://www.britishgardencentres.com/revitalise-your-garden-with-these-new-years-resolutions/#respond Fri, 05 Jan 2024 14:15:38 +0000 https://www.britishgardencentres.com/?p=98144

New Year, New Garden: Revitalise Your Garden with These New Year's Resolutions

As we bid farewell to another year and welcome the possibilities of a new chapter, it's the perfect time to plan and implement New Year's resolutions for your garden. Just like personal goals, setting resolutions for your garden can help you make beautiful improvements and ensure a thriving and radiant outdoor space that you can enjoy throughout the year. In this blog, we look at some tips and advice that will you get excited about the gardening year to come.

Love your soil

One of your first New Year resolutions for your garden is to nurture your soil for a healthy start for your plants. Start by doing a soil test to understand its composition and pH levels. Acid soils have a pH of less than 6.0, alkaline ones are higher than 7.0, while soils with a pH of 6.0-7.0 are about right, or neutral.

In the UK, the main types of soil include:

Chalk: Small pieces of white chalk are visible.

Clay: Can be moulded into a ball easily

Sand: Your soil ball will fall apart while you are attempting to form it.

Silt: Has a slippery texture

Loam Soil: A mixture of clay and sand.

Once you have a better understanding of your soil, this will determine which plants you can grow and what you need to do to help them succeed. Healthy soil is the foundation for robust plant growth and vitality.

Expand your plant selection

Diversifying your plant selection can bring a burst of colour and life to your garden. Consider incorporating a variety of native plants and flowers to attract beneficial insects and pollinators. Additionally, integrating a mix of annuals, perennials, and flowering shrubs can ensure that your garden remains vibrant and visually appealing throughout the year. Our knowledgeable plant team at your local British Garden Centres store will be able to advise you on choices for your soil, location, and taste to make your garden in 2024.

Garden sustainably

As the awareness of climate change increases, incorporate sustainable gardening practices as part of your New Year's resolutions. This can include water conservation techniques, such as installing a water butt or drip irrigation system, as well as minimising the use of chemical pesticides and herbicides by using organic plant care. By adopting eco-friendly approaches, you can contribute to a healthier environment while maintaining a thriving garden.

Make a compost bin

Recycling your garden and kitchen waste is a terrific way to reduce waste and nourish your plants. One of the most effective ways to do this is by using a compost bin. The best part is that it is easy for you to get started and you don't need any fancy equipment.

Why not buy a small container in the kitchen that can sit on the counter? It is perfect for storing kitchen scraps, such as fruit and vegetable peelings, eggshells, and coffee grounds. Plus, there is no unpleasant smell to worry about. By using a compost bin, you can reduce waste, nourish your plants, and create a more sustainable lifestyle.

Visit our guide to composting here.

Start a kitchen garden

Look for new ways to prepare and incorporate vegetables into your diet and garden by starting 2024 healthy.

Make a list of vegetables you want to include in your garden. Your local British Garden Centres team will be able to provide information on what vegetables will thrive in your garden beds or containers and tips on when and how to plant and care for them.

Greens like spinach, brassicas, chard and kale, carrots, beetroot, brussels sprouts, and red cabbage are among the most nutritionally dense vegetables. Why not try potatoes, tomatoes and sweet peppers that produce an abundance of fruit from just one plant, making it cost-effective too?

Create a relaxing outdoor oasis to enjoy

Creating a tranquil and inviting outdoor space where you can unwind and connect with nature. Whether it's adding a cosy seating area, installing mood lighting, or incorporating a water feature, British Garden Centres can provide a serene retreat right in your outdoor space so you can achieve a better work/life balance, make the garden your fifth room to wind down in over the summer.

Thanks for reading, here’s to a vibrant and fulfilling garden in 2024!

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