Plants, supplies and growing advice for UK gardens
Plants, supplies and growing advice for UK gardens
Choose the light and soil in your garden and what you would like from your plants. The finder searches our catalogue and shows suitable matches with a short explanation of why they fit.
Note how many hours of direct sun the spot gets in summer. Over six is full sun; around three to six is part shade; less is shade.
Squeeze damp soil. If it forms a sticky ribbon it is clay; if it crumbles gritty and loose it is sandy; if it forms a loose ball it is loam.
Dig a hole about 30cm deep, fill it with water and see how long it takes to drain. Standing water after several hours points to poor drainage.
Compare the space with each plant's mature height and spread rather than its size in the pot.
Under trees and beside walls, choose plants adapted to low light and dry soil, and mulch generously to hold moisture.
Shade-tolerant plantsClay is rich in nutrients but slow to drain. Improve it with organic matter and choose plants that tolerate winter wet.
Plants for clay soilCompact plants, climbers and well-chosen containers make the most of a courtyard, balcony or patio.
Container plantingTell us about your site and what you want from it, and we will suggest plants and check availability.