Gardener's World- Gardening in Exposed Spaces in association with Gareth Austin from Horkan's Garden Centre

Gardening in Exposed Spaces

As gardeners we are all aware that one of the biggest factors in choosing plants for your garden is not whether him/her indoors (delete where appropriate) will like them or appreciate your effort, it is in fact your location.

One of the toughest areas to garden in is beside the coast. Not only do you have strong winds, which can blow you of your feet to contend with, but also the salt in the air can be a real killer for plants. This is why plant selection is the single most important step to success with soil preparation and regular feeding being the next.

The selection of good salt tolerant plants is a must and of course like any location Mother Nature has provided us with a wide assortment ideal for growing around the coastline here in the North West.

Horky's Top Plants include:

1. Phormium 'Jester' New Zealand Plax as its commonly known is a stunning grass-like evergreen with wonderfully coloured red and green striped foliage, which moves and swishes fantastically in the wind. A great plant ideal for conditions here.

2. Pittosporum 'Tom Thumb'

This is another startlingly coloured dwarf evergreen. Pittosporum has an almost unique crinkly leaf, which turns a dark wine and then an almost mysterious maroon colour.

3. Lavender 'Lady' is a new variety of the traditional and common lavender. 'Lady' is unique lavender specially selected due to its dwarf habit. Of course Lavender is widely sought for its fragrant foliage and flowers but surprisingly many gardeners are not aware of its salt tolerance. A REAL WINNER.

Horkys tip: For more flowers on all your garden shrubs start feeding them now tih Algoflash. We use this in both our centers and find this superb.

4. Escallonia 'Red Dream'

is another plant bred for its dwarf growth. Red Dream reaches a height of around 3ft (much smaller than its hedging cousin!) and produces super rosey red flowers from Summer - Autumn.

And some of my own favorite seaside plants come from the Hebe family.

5. Hebe albicans

is an ever-popular form of Hebe widely grown for its bright silver foliage and its abundance of summer flowers. A super plant for the edges of borders and for container planting.

6. Baby Marie'

This great hebe forms tiny dwarf shrub flowers as early as March and April, producing a mass of pink and white flowers. Ideal for growing in pots on the patio or in borders.

Remember: As with all plants soil preparation is important - especially in coastal sites, where the desired effect is to get the plant as well rooted in as quickly as possible. When planting your plant always generously condition the planting hole (around 2-3 times the size of the pot) and incorporate lots of Westland Rose, Tree & Shrub Compost and the inclusion of good extra organic matter in the form of Fertisol chicken Manure can be especially beneficial in coastal areas.

Advice and tips available at www.gardencentre.ie

7. Hebe'pascal'

is another notable addition to any garden. This super plant grows to a height of only 40cm. In the summer the lush leaves turn a beautiful green then in the winter the leaves turn to dark winey red. And if this still wasn't enough to wet your appetite it also produces lovely purple flowers in early summer. A REAL WINNER.

8. Hebe 'Golden Nugget'

And from my own garden I can recommend this pretty little golden plant with very compact growth creates a great bit of foliage interest in my rockery, and I've also had some great success growing Golden Nugget in pots as well

9. Sorbus aria Lutescens (Whitebeam)

This is the answer to the "What type of tree will grow in my exposed seaside garden?"question. This neat, compact tree is highly valued for its uniquely coloured foliage - silvery grey in spring maturing grey-green in summer. A super hardy tree which produces lovely white flowers in late May followed by decorative, cherry-like autumn berries. Looks fantastic when planted as an Avenue as a windbreak or great as a lawn specimen. Very highly recommended.

10. Hedera 'Paddys Pride'

This vigorous evergreen climber will grow in the most exposed of locations including the most daunting of planting locations - North facing walls! Paddys pride is famed for its sulphury gold coloured leaf and is well worth trying in your own garden where it will provide a splash of year round colour on walls and fences

Quick Tip:

Feed all damaged hedging with Supergrow fertilizer now to stimulate the production of lots of fresh new growth, helping the plant regain the density it enjoyed last season.

Contact Horky....For free advice on selecting the correct plants to match your site phone the EXPERTS on our gardening helpline on 071 38870 or call into either of our centers in SLIGO and CASTLEBAR 7 DAYS A WEEK and we'll happy to help.

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