Arit’s container for a shady spot

Often we have a shady spot in the garden that gets neglected

because we’re not quite sure how to brighten it up. This is where a container can work wonders. Not only can you experiment with plant combinations, but if you choose the right container then this once overlooked space can become a real focal point.

You need plants that will shine out from the shadows, and that’s why I chose to use Hydrangea paniculata ‘Limelight’. This shrub gives you so much. Structure from the stems and big blowsy flowers that are cream with hints of lime, so they really sing out in the half-light.

It’s not just colour that can entice us in a garden, we can also attract attention using scent. The aromatic leaves of the nepeta – which will tolerate partial shade – and the heady evening fragrance released from the nicotiana will bring joy from the dappled depths.

How to plant up your pot

YOU WILL NEED:

L Hydrangea paniculata ‘Limelight’ L Nepeta racemosa ‘Walker’s Low’ L Nicotiana ‘Merlin Lime Green’ L Peat-free multi-purpose compost L Terracotta pot, at least 40cm wide (we used Deroma

Vaso Conico pot, 43cm, from £25, burford.co.uk)

1Half-fill your pot with peat-free compost, plus some garden soil and slow-release organic fertiliser. The hydrangea is the biggest plant, so start with this. Tease out the roots and position it near the back, with its best side facing forward. 2 Add the smaller plants – the nicotiana complements the hydrangea’s colours, while the contrasting nepeta will make a mauve froth and tumble over the side. Add more compost if needed, so everything sits at the same level.

3Once you’re happy with the arrangement – here I’ve balanced it with a nepeta on each side and the nicotiana centrally at the front – fill any gaps between the rootballs with more compost. Firm in gently, then water well.

The cream and lime-green colours really stand out in a shady spot

5 best plants for shade

Many woodland plants love shade, as they grow naturally beneath trees. They may rely more on foliage to make an impact but those with pale flowers really stand out. Choose plants that all like either damp or dry shade – as your pot can only be one or the other!

1 Hakonechloa macra

An eye-catching Japanese grass with sweeping foliage. It will make a great focal point in any pot or a lower tier, cascading over the edges. Choose from green- or yellow-leaved forms. Height x Spread 40cm x 45cm Flowering Aug-Sep

2 Blechnum spicant

This native fern has glossy fronds with feathery edges that provide year-round interest. It thrives in well-drained soil, in partial to full shade, and brings a luscious green hue to any pot. H x S 50cm x 45cm

3 Omphalodes cappadocica ‘Cherry Ingram’

Evergreen leaves provide the backdrop for small yet mighty, brilliant blue flowers. It’s ideal for shady corners and will self-seed. H x S 20cm x 30cm F Mar-Apr

4 Anemone x hybrida ‘Lady Gilmour’

A tall perennial with slender stems topped with poppy-like pink, cupped blooms. Great for the flower vase too. H x S 100cm x 60cm F Jul-Sep

5 Sarcococca hookeriana ‘Winter Gem’

A compact, evergreen shrub with glossy dark-green leaves. Its small, spidery, white flowers open from red buds in winter and are highly fragrant. They’re followed by shiny red berries. H x S 75cm x 75cm F Jan-Feb

offer Meet Arit at Highgrove

Join us on 20 September 2022 for an exclusive tour of Highgrove Gardens, with a talk by Arit Anderson and a delicious three-course dinner. Tickets cost £200. See page 76 for full details.

5 reasons why you should consider moving to an Inspired village

The retirement communities operated by Inspired Villages are helping people live the best years of their lives, here’s why…

Your later years can be a time of great freedom with retirement giving you more time for you and your loved ones. Retirement villages run by awardwinning operators like Inspired Villages, allow you to make the most of that freedom and pursue the independent, fun retirement of your dreams. “We have seen a 40% increase in the number of people choosing to buy or rent an apartment or house in our villages now awareness of the benefits is growing,” says James Cobb, Director at Inspired Villages. “And so many of them tell us they wish they had moved in sooner!”

Here are just some of those benefits…

1. Chance to ‘rightsize’ to a beautiful but manageable home Do you want to spend less time on home maintenance and more time relaxing? Rightsizing can deliver huge practical and financial benefits, particularly if you move to an Inspired Village where housekeeping and property maintenance teams can take care of all the big chores if you want them to. You’ll have more free time, and could even gain some extra capital to spend on travel and daily luxuries. features to make sure the homes will carry on being comfortable to live in as you age. 2. Ability to ‘lock up and leave’

Living in a retirement village means you can go travelling more often and for longer periods, secure in the knowledge there is a village team on site to make sure your property is safe. “There’s overnight security with CCTV cameras. It means I can lock and leave my home and the village manager is on hand to contact me if anything were to happen,” says Stephen, an Inspired Villages resident. “At my old home, I used to spend ages checking and rechecking I’d turned everything off, locked the doors and such – now I can ring the village manager for reassurance. If I’m expecting a delivery, I can just leave a message and they will take care of it.” 3. Joining a vibrant community with amazing activity options on your doorstep Imagine having a swimming pool and gym right on your doorstep… well you don’t have to imagine that if you live in an Inspired Village! Their village centres also have restaurants, cinemas, libraries, croquet lawns, arts and crafts rooms and more for the residents to enjoy. There’s always a range of optional activities going on too, from pool Pilates and paddle boarding to BBQs and Bridge nights, so there’s plenty of opportunities to make new friends and try new hobbies.

4. Enjoying healthy, independent living for longer Alongside providing stateof-the-art leisure facilities, there are fitness instructors in the villages, happy to support residents with reaching any health goals. The wider village team is always on hand to help out if any other assistance is required too, which is a reassurance for residents and their children.

“I feel healthier since moving,” says Inspired Villages resident Dorothy. “I use the gym twice a week, and I’m learning to swim. Compared to two months ago, my children can’t believe I am the same Dorothy.” 5. Combating the cost of living in retirement! Inspired Villages recognises that the cost of living is forefront in everyone’s minds right now and wants to support its customers, so it has introduced an incredibly generous deal. “We want to make sure living in one of our communities continues to be accessible,” says Cobb. “We are therefore offering new customers up to £50,000 towards their living costs in our villages. On top of our other great offers that help make the move as smooth as possible, and the benefits of living in our villages, we hope to make a real difference to people’s lives.”

Inspired Villages operates communities in Bedfordshire, Cheshire, Kent, Warwickshire and West Sussex. To find out more visit www.inspiredvillages.co.uk or call 0800 531 6556.