Shopping: Make a garden glow

Apr 26 2010 By Emma McKinney

WITH summer just a sniff away, all thoughts turn to Al Fresco dining and enjoying outdoor living.

But does your garden look more like a jungle than a wildlife sanctuary? Would you struggle to know one end of a spade from the other? There’s no need to panic, says garden designer and writer Alice Bowe.

Alice, who runs online store Garden Boutique from Birmingham’s Custard Factory, in Gibb Street, Digbeth, says instead of being daunted, novice gardeners should head straight outside and get digging.

“I think it can be overwhelming if you look at a blank canvass of a garden and have no idea what to do or how to do it,” she says.

“But everyone has to start somewhere and you really don’t have to be an expert to achieve a garden that looks like something from the glossy pages of a magazine.

“It’s all about keeping it simple to begin with, and then as your confidence, knowledge and abilities grow you can become a bit more daring.”

Alice’s top tips for a stunning garden include buying lots of pots, either the same colour or made from the same material, to plant flowers in. Keeping the repetition theme, buy flowers in the same colour scheme, or plant several of the same variety.

“I would say the best advice is to plant as much foliage as flowers,” adds the 29-year-old. “Foliage looks great all year round and choose flowers that blossom at different times throughout the year.

“That way you have a fuss-free garden that looks great all year round.”

And Alice says sprucing up your garden need not be expensive.

“A lot of people chuck a lot of stuff out of their garden and go through the expense of using a skip or taking everything to the tip,” she says. “But a lot of things can be recycled and make your garden look great.

“For example, you can fill gabions with rubble, or even old wine bottles, it’s recycling and will really attract wildlife to your garden. If you’re on a tight budget, you can ask neighbours, family or friends if they could give you cuttings off their plants to get you started.”

She also recommended ‘seed swap’ websites, such as www.gardenswapshop.co.uk, which gives people the chance to swap seeds and plants for free.

And those wanting advice from an expert could become a member of the Royal Horticultural Society (www.rhs.org.uk), which has a helpline manned by gardeners offering solutions to any gardening problem.

Karen Meng, publicity manager at Garden Boutique, says getting started as a gardener doesn’t mean having to buy a plethora of tools.

“You really don’t need that many tools to get started,” she says. “I would recommend a dibber, which ensures that you plant everything to the right depth and is really useful for bulbs, cuttings and seeds.

“Also, hard-wearing gloves, which are thorn-proof are a must for cutting back shrubs and brambles.

“Twine is something simple but necessary for tying up bundles, training plants, hanging labels or marking borders.

“And of course, a fork and trowel are also handy, make sure you buy stainless steel so they won’t rust.

“Apart from that a spade and secateurs are all you need to get going.”

And she recommends accessorising your garden to give it an extra special look.

“Window boxes, hanging baskets and planters full of colourful seasonal perennials and bedding plants provide much-needed cheer and draw the eye away from less attractive spots,” she adds.

“Lighting can make all the difference, with lanterns and rustic tealight chandeliers.

“It’s all about having fun without getting too stressed out by it all.”

* For more information visit www.gardenboutique.co.uk or call 0121 224 7390.