5 days ago
FAQs – Garden bed soil Native colour in shade
HANNAH: Raised beds are usually open at the bottom, giving plenty of space for roots to extend and for water to drain. For this, the best choice is a quality loam soil – one that combines sand, silt and clay – mixed with lots of compost and aged manures to bring it to life.
For pots and containers, the roots and soil are contained, so you need something different. You need some quality potting mix, which comes with inbuilt fertiliser (that will need topping up every 6 months or so), and which offers good drainage with no risk of compaction.
What's good for native colour in shady spots?
CLARENCE: For winter colour, the native heath – Epacris longiflora, Epacris impressa, Epacris stuartii and other species – are show-stoppers. They prefer an acidic soil with good drainage but consistent moisture, so they may be better grown in a pot if you're on heavy clay or alkaline soils.
They are found naturally growing on the edges of woodlands and like the same light shade in the garden.
What is a parterre garden?
SOPHIE: These are featured in some of Europe's best-known gardens, as they were a popular choice for wealthy families in from the late1500s onwards. Parterre in French translates as 'on the ground' and these ornamental, symmetrical designs were created on low, flat areas, designed to be seen from above, such as the balcony of a house. The outlines of the pattern are usually created with neatly clipped hedges, and spaces within the pattern filled with colourful flowers. Gravel paths set off the neat edges. They can also be applied to smaller, formal gardens if there is level ground.
