Cottage Gardens
 Traditionally cottage gardens were a random mixture of useful and ornamental plants, with more emphasis being given to the useful plants which could be eaten, used for medicinal purposes, or as animal forage. The ornamental plants were an afterthought, using colourful and easily grown annuals, herbaceous perennials and small shrubs to brighten the garden, space permitting....(Excerpt from page) Click to read more
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Courtyard Garden Landscapes
 Small spaces can be a challenge for gardeners who are traditionally used to quarter acre blocks. They needn't be. Some of the most stunning gardens that are photographed are no more than a few metres wide. Courtyards can be as small as the space between a house and garage or a side fence. They can also be quite large, such as those found surrounded by large city buildings. Courtyard gardens are common in inner city areas, where homes are generally packed close together, and with limited garden space, such as terrace houses....(Excerpt from page) Click to read more
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Fences and Decks
 Wood fencing is a popular and cheaper alternative to hard walls. They may not last so long but can be built in a range of attractive styles. They will not be an effective noise barrier though and, if the wood is a cheap variety, it may need a lot of maintenance. Different timber is available in different areas although all timber will need to be treated with a wood preservative to prevent the wood rotting. Remember though that plants do not like fresh timber preservative and will die through contact with it. It sometimes takes up to a year before climbers can grow on treated wood. Do not use timber with bark on it, for as it decays it provides a trap for moisture and insects....(Excerpt from page) Click to read more
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Garden Restoration
 When you renovate an old garden you have the advantage that most of the broad structure is in place. Renovation is easier and cheaper than starting from scratch. Some components may need cleaning, repairing, replacing or maybe even altering, but there is usually a lot that can be used. That means a garden renovation can provide quicker results than a totally new garden construction on a bare area of land....(Excerpt from page) Click to read more
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GARDEN STYLES
 Gardens come in all types of styles: formal and informal, natural and contrived. Styles have evolved differently in different countries; with some styles reflecting cultural attitudes and values, or historical developments. Sometimes when countries were invaded the invading forces brought plant species, construction techniques and design ideas with them. When social attitudes were structured, garden design became structured; and when social attitudes became revolutionary, sometimes garden styles reflected those attitudes with great change. ...(Excerpt from page) Click to read more
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How to Make a Suburban Home Feel like a Farm
 Todays hectic lifestyle and high stress levels seem in direct contrast to the rural life that many of our forbears experienced. Things seem to happen at a much slower pace in rural areas. When we escape to the country for a holiday, or even a day trip, we seem to recapture something of this "rural" atmosphere; and for most people, this is a great stress release. This perhaps provide some insights into why so many urban dwellers are so keen to bring a little bit of the country to their homes and gardens in the city....(Excerpt from page) Click to read more
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| How to Save WAter in Gardening
Summer has always been a challenging time of year for gardeners to attend to a plant’s water needs. High temperatures and drying winds force plants to use water at a faster rate; water is lost from soil to the atmosphere by evaporation, and unless you live in the tropics there is reduced rainfall....(Excerpt from page) Click to read more
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Oriental Landscape Design
 Oriental gardens are gardens with a purpose. They are gardens filled with symbolism; they attempt to create a peaceful ambience, often through simplicity of design. They frequently avoid clutter, and consciously avoid using an excessive variety of materials. The number of plant varieties is often limited. Cultivars are often planted in mass, to create an effect. A courtyard may contain an area of gravel with only one or a few rocks – the effect is more dramatic when the number of rocks is limited....(Excerpt from page) Click to read more
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Plant Selection; choose the right plants for the landscape
 Good plant selection is critical to the success of any planting design. There are two main areas of plant selection. These are firstly, choosing the right plant species or cultivar for your requirements, and secondly, ensuring that once you have decided which plants you want to grow, that you choose healthy, good quality specimens of those plants....(Excerpt from page) Click to read more
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Scented Plant Gardens
 Gardens are a delight at any time, but never more so than when in full bloom and enriched by embracing fragrances. All too often these are temporary highlights rather than permanent characteristics of a garden. Gardens can, however, be fragrant and colourful all year round if you plan to achieve that....(Excerpt from page) Click to read more
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Tropical Gardens
Tropical gardens can vary from dry and desert-like, to coastal, to dense, lush and leafy environs resembling the dynamic workings of a rainforest. Many different garden effects are possible using tropical plants. You can also, on a small scale, transform a garden into a microclimate using tropical plants that are not normally found in your locality. ...(Excerpt from page) Click to read more
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Types of Small Gardens
 Balcony Gardens
With a little imagination, a balcony can become the most striking part of your home, drawing your attention from the interior of the house, and creating a feel of extra space....(Excerpt from page) Click to read more
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Water Gardens
 Water adds something very special to any garden. It is a feature like no other, that can bring movement, sound and sparkling light into the garden, as well as giving a refreshing sense of coolness, and attracting wildlife. ...(Excerpt from page) Click to read more
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Why Garden trees
 People frequently have more trouble with trees than any other part of the garden. If they like trees, they tend to plant too many trees. If they don't like trees, they tend to plant too few. It is important to consider why you might need trees, and then choose the appropriate number, type and sizes to suit your requirements....(Excerpt from page) Click to read more
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