Plant knowledge is not only important for a gardener’s success in gardening, it is also important to know where to find compost materials. locating a materials supplier with a wide access to bargain compost is important.
Formal Gardens
Formal gardens are usually laid out to look very tidy and very manicured. They are very specific to the style of the house they belong to. That is especially true of topiary. In a formal garden compost bins are positioned alongside trees or shrubs for a gentle roof effect that looks quite different to the rest of the garden. Trees are for the structure, not the compost.
Villa Rosa Mundi
There is a large range of garlic plants, nearly all of which are very resistant to the bugs in the garden and require a lot less compost. Some of the most popular varieties includeoor, diffused and deep gold edging, and trifoliate. preliminary studies have shown that home grown garlic can contain up to five times the amount of garlic in store garlic cloves! It is easy to grow in pots. Preferably 6 inches or smaller pots. Use buy about 10 seedlings to get a head start. Transplant into three inch or larger pots by the end of May.
ckoyama
This means that the plant is planted in a circular pattern about 8 inches in diameter. Only the last inch or so is left to be filled with compost. In rare cases where the leaves are not round and round but have killer flowers, they can be mowed over and the mower bag is rolled up rather than cut. Look for a taller variety for the centre of the circle. Cut only vertical taproots and nothing else. ¼ inch of the round crown should remain standing. The remaining open space may be filled with alternate foliage and flowers if you want. No more than 6 inches of the crown should be trimmed.
Lemon thyme
There are varieties of lemon thyme that are stronger with a more pronounced flavor and aroma. Smelled at first, Lemon thyme leaves do not rustle like a leek and are sensitive to spray. It grows low and spreads. Place in a pot or in groups of 3 or 5. Produces flowers that are white or pale pink at the end of the stems. Makes a nice border for the herb garden or other containers.
Height: less than 1 foot. Spacing: 6 inches apart.
Vietnamese Chives
Chives make a delicious addition to salads, egg dishes and sandwich spreads. Bright green in color with little blue whorls, the leaves have a taste of cabbage and onion. The plants are an onion -like, thin however. One thin plant is often sufficient for most needs. Transplant all that are to your culinary garden in the early spring. It can be that the leaves are the milder flavor with a supporting ” aromatherapy” ingredient such as marjoram, thyme or mint.
Height: Usually less than 1 foot. Spacing: Weed out next to plants or in interspaces with other herbs.
Nasturtium
Easily the most colorful herb in the garden. Usually called the yellow man weed thanks to it’s bright yellow flowers on fairly compact plants. Grows about 6 inches high. Has a pretty wide variety of amusing flowers. Can be used in a border of some sort, is attractive in pieces and wine garnishing. Quite a few named varieties exist. Preparation with leaf mold is preferred. Personally, I think the Young Lady Spain brings the yellow in style.
Height: Rarely seen. Spacing: Attracts attention.
Bunching
Bunching is quite the same as creeping. It is simply that a plant that is growing in a sideways fashion. Gnarled, twisted, or rosette shaped brighten up a pile of plants or act as a border between otherwise lonely plants. Some called varieties include Sunburst, Dusty Miller, Celebes and Victorian. These are mostly hardy annuals that can be grown in most parts of the country. They can be sown in the spring for a late summer or early fall harvest.
Height: Rarely seen. Spacing: Rarely seen as a border between plants but works well in pieces indoors.
Ground Cover
ported from England is the Passion Flower or the Trumpet Vine. A lovely ground cover that is easy to grow. Like most vines, they need something to cling to. Try a mix of vines and flowers to maximize the available light on your pergola or patio.
Height: 4-6 feet. Spacing: Choose a sunny pergola or patio and place on the edge of the pergola or patio.
