Author name: oliviajones

What is the best shrub to plant in the shade? Mountain laurel is a go-to favorite when it comes to shrubs that thrive in shady conditions. This native shrub grows as an understory plant in forests east of the Mississippi River. Mountain Laurel. Mountain laurel is a safe choice if you’re working with an area […]

What evergreen grows the fastest in shade? Giant arborvitae is one of the more shade-loving evergreen trees among arborvitae varieties. They have tiny, tightly packed, scale-like leaves that are glossy green in spring and summer and turn darker and bronze in winter. These trees grow quickly and maintain their shape without pruning. For rapid privacy

How to make a cottage garden? When thinking about a cottage garden design think informal over uniformity, dense planting, colour in abundance and year-round interest and blooms. Incorporate lots of natural wood in the form of benches, planters, or a traditional front door, and avoid using metal, or contemporary features or minimalist layouts. English would

What flowers bloom the longest in a cottage garden? Perennial varieties like ‘Double Sunburst’ are some of the most reliable long-blooming perennials available. Popular threadleaf varieties create an airy, cottage garden feel with their ferny foliage and pale flowers that bloom continuously for months with minimal care. Some of the best perennials for cottage gardens

What plants are good for cottage style garden? Typical plants for a cottage garden have exuberant flowers and a loose form. These include cosmos, daisies, hollyhock, hydrangea, lilac, pansy, poppy, roses, Rose of Sharon and sweet peas. English would be more formal. English gardens utilize hedges and crisp, vertical evergreen accents to define spaces and

What flowers bloom the longest in a cottage garden? Perennial varieties like ‘Double Sunburst’ are some of the most reliable long-blooming perennials available. Popular threadleaf varieties create an airy, cottage garden feel with their ferny foliage and pale flowers that bloom continuously for months with minimal care. Some of the best perennials for cottage gardens

How to create a mixed border? Layer heights: Put tall shrubs in the back, medium in the middle, and low growers up front. Specimens: Tall and skinny, tree-form, or specimen plants look great standing out among shorter shrubs as a focal point. Mix evergreen and deciduous shrubs: Evergreens anchor the space; deciduous shrubs bring seasonal

How to create a beautiful border? In general, position tall, substantial plants towards the back of your border. However, some tall, slender plants, or those with a thin canopy, can be placed near the front to create an attractive, more natural look. The back of a mixed or shrub border is best reserved for tall-growing

How to make a small garden border? Start by positioning evergreen and large structural plants, to create the ‘bones’ of the border. Then position groups of herbaceous perennials or small deciduous shrubs of the same species or cultivar. Planting these in groups, ideally with an odd number of plants, helps prevent the border looking ‘bitty’.

Can you grow Fritillaria imperialis from seed? Fritillaria seed ripens in mid to late summer and is best sown as soon as ripe or soon after in autumn. While older seed may still be viable it develops germination inhibitors that can make late sowings germinate erratically. Fritillaries can be propagated by seed. Sow in autumn