Water is for Relaxing Around

A recent running theme in the blog has been the art of relaxation. I have made reference to how difficult it can be when you know that there are jobs you can usefully be getting along with, or better still, ticking off your list. By contrast our feline friends have the knack of making idleness seem effortless. At this time of the year it is the shady spots which are most favoured for the restful moments and when the garden umbrellas are shifted around on an hourly basis for the maximum comfort levels.

The shady spots will change with course of the day. It is critical that the gardener understands his aspect and how many hours of direct sunshine each part of the garden will get each day. This will also change with the seasons and the planting schemes really must take this into account. There is very little point trying to grow sun loving plants in deep shade and it is equally fruitless planting your woodlanders out in the open.

Top tip: before making an expensive mistake and investing in serious plant purchases make sure you understand the aspect of your garden, it is as important as knowing your soil type and depth.

It is for this reason that the planting around the lower pond, in the shade of the neighbours property (for much of the afternoon) has been restricted. The theme is mostly foliage but this does not preclude some splashes of colour and I particularly like the muted deep reds and pinks at the far end of the pond. The photographs show how the petunia (Tidal Wave Red Velour) and the astilbes work well together and give a nice lift to the far border.

The colour scheme at the pond end of the patio is muted and restful. The bench by the pond is one of the most popular spots in the garden and with the calming sound of the moving water it can be quite blissful. But a glance to the left will reveal the multi coloured containers and dazzle of the summer pots. These take advantage of increased light levels, which might only be a couple of extra hours per day in summer but it does make a difference. 

The water lily just gets enough daylight hours

Bench and conservatory door can be seen on the right

Light and shade