29- Sarah's Garden

Sarah is redoing her back garden after having an extension built the layout of her garden has changed, she was looking for plant recommendations, placement and a new layout. The garden is west facing facing with clay/loam soil. The garden has an existing pond, veg garden, apple tree, and blueberry bushes. It was important to keep the lawn area for low maintenance and for recreational use in the summer.

Sarah's goals for the garden include expanding the veg patch, more planting, planting of interest, a view of plants in the garden, medium to low maintenance, plants to go under the apple tree, planting next to the pond. Sarah works in health and uses her garden to grow plants for medicinal use.

Plan of the planting placement

Planting is designed to have structure throughout the year, with the use of evergreen shrubs with bulbs and perennials acting as seasonal interest. The planting scheme is designed to be ‘companion planting’ plants that complement and help one another to grow or produce better fruit and flowers. In addition, the flower scheme is also designed around plants with holistic and medicinal properties. The majority of the plants are good for pollinators and a few herbs act as pesticides to support the veg patch. Having a wide range of plants with different flowering times and food creates a biodiverse patch of land, which should help create better vegetation. Biodiversity ensures ecosystems are supported, having a wider range of plants supports animals, plants and microorganisms. To provide habitat and food. Plants have been chosen with climate change in mind, they should be fine with the average climate of the UK in conjunction with some extreme weather. Bulbs could also be planted in lawn areas, be cautious planting near vegetable patch as some bulbs look similar to root vegetables. Wildflower seed mix under the tree

All plants will take anywhere between 2-5 years to reach maturity.

Plants are appropriate for well-drained soil types.

Plants are appropriate for neutral pH level.

All Plants are appropriate for the average climate of the UK with hardiness between h7-h6, surviving cold temperatures from -10- - 20<

With the existing curved low border wall around the apple tree it made sense to continue the soft curves of the garden. Integrating the sharper shapes of the building and pond with vegetation providing the softness.