Circle-of-life gardening
Heroic hedges
Perfect for pollinators Bee-friendly flowers are a must for wildlife-friendly gardens and it is all about smart choices, particularly if you don’t have a lot of room. Modern varieties of many perennials have been bred to have lengthy flowering periods, far longer than native plants do. You get to enjoy months of flowers from the same plant, and the pollinators get a longer period of nectar and pollen to feed from. Salvias are a prime example of this, many flowering virtually non-stop from May to December. Help all year long
When choosing your planting position make sure you consider how much space the tree will need when full grown – you are not going to be able to move it a few years down the line!
Dig out a hole much larger than the rootball and mix in some manure or soil improver with the existing soil when you backfill. Give the tree a full watering can’s worth and repeat this every few days for the next fortnight. You can gradually reduce the frequency of waterings over the next year but always make sure you are putting a decent amount down. Good soakings will encourage deep roots that will properly anchor the plant and make it more resilient. • Shop online for trees, with free local delivery, at www.katiegarden.co.uk/shopfront  It is hard to resist the temptation to add more pretty blooms to the garden in the height of summer but the importance of planting in the cooler months shouldn’t be forgotten. If you want to add structure and substance to your garden - such as with trees, hedges, roses and large shrubs, winter is the time to do it, just as long as the soil isn’t frozen or waterlogged. Most plants are dormant now – meaning they are not growing new shoots, leaves, flowers or berries – and so find it much less stressful to settle their root systems into new surroundings than if you attempted to plant in summer when they have a lot more on their plates!
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