Gardening

THE BENEFITS OF THE OUTDOORS

Plants to soothe or stimulate the senses

Our gardens continue to provide wonderful socialising places even as lockdown restrictions ease and hospitality venues re-open, but having somewhere quiet to relax and de-stress is equally, if not more, important. The benefi ts of the outdoors and reconnecting with nature has proved hugely benefi cial to reconnecting with nature has proved hugely benefi cial to well-bring and mental health through the stresses of the past year, so have a look at your garden and see how best past year, so have a look at your garden and see how best to create your own quiet and tranquil space. Plants that soothe the senses never fail to delight and relax. Listen to rustling stems of bamboos or tall Miscanthus grasses that move in the slightest breeze or bring in the sound of moving water with a little feature like bring in the sound of moving water with a little feature like a self-contained fountain. Grow your own aromatherapy, with fragrant fl owers such as roses, lavender, jasmine, honeysuckle, lilies, and chocolate cosmos, as well as plants honeysuckle, lilies, and chocolate cosmos, as well as plants with aromatic foliage that are deliciously scented when crushed. Herbs like camomile and lemon balm can be made into calming herbal teas, too. Watching wildlife provides relaxation and fascination, and you can easily entice bees and butterfl ies with their favourite plants like cosmos, Verbascum, hebe, hyssop and butterfl y bush (Buddleja). This latter plant is renowned for growing large, (Buddleja). This latter plant is renowned for growing large, but newer varieties like the ‘Buzz’ series are compact in habit and suit even the smallest of gardens. Add a comfy seat or two for relaxation and wildlife-watching and you’ll seat or two for relaxation and wildlife-watching and you’ll have a perfect wind-down spot right on your doorstep. A great way to save work and encourage wildlife is to have what’s become known as a ‘lazy lawn’. If you have a lot of grass and don’t need it all regularly cropped, simply go easy with the mower, and this year you could be listening to the buzz of bees and chirping of grasshoppers rather than the humming of mowers. A real win/win route to relaxation in the garden. nreal win/win route to relaxation in the garden.

Gardening jobs for the season

- Start taking cuttings of this year’s young growth from plants such as tender perennials. Also, look for rooted shoots on woody-based perennials like penstemon and anthemis, which can be detached and potted up.

- Lavender should be lightly trimmed after fl owering to remove dead fl ower stems and shoot tips. - Finish planting up containers of summer fl owers and water regularly during dry spells.

- Focus watering on any border plants that are newly planted, and ensure fruiting plants have an even supply to give a good crop.

- Sow biennial plants now to fl ower next year, like foxglove, forget-me-not, sweet rocket and wallfl ower. - Put out fresh water for wildlife in shallow dishes, bowls or bird baths, and refresh regularly. Continue to provide food for birds, but do use the correct feeders as young fl edglings can choke on large items such as peanuts.

One of the big post-lockdown joys is being able to visit gardens again. Some have restricted hours, or require visitors to pre-book, so always check websites or phone before you travel. As well as our local favourites such as The Garden House, Buckland Abbey, Cotehele, and Keith Wiley’s plant paradise at Wildside, there are private gardens opening for charity under the auspices of the National Gardens Scheme: www.ngs.org.uk and St Lukes: www. stlukes-hospice.org.uk/opengardens. The pent-up demand for getting out and about means that gardens are likely to be bustling, so a recent project to create quiet spaces will be of particular interest to those seeking peace and quiet. The Silent Space project (www.silentspace.org.uk) encourages open gardens to off er an area that is quiet and technology-free for peace and refl ection. So far there are three Devon gardens off ering ‘silent spaces’: RHS Rosemoor at Great Torrington, Dartington Hall, and Stone Lane Gardens near Chagford.

The Valley Garden at Cotehele House

The Cool Garden at RHS Rosemoor Plant Paradise at Wildside

GARDEN DESIGNER & HORTICULTURAL SPECIALIST Inspirational ideas to transform your garden

Sue continues to be available for garden advisory visits and design work, operating according to Covid-19 social distancing guidelines. Gift vouchers available for garden advisory visits. Contact Sue for more details. Sue Fisher 01822 841895 | suefi sher@talktalk.net | www.suefi shergardens.co.uk

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