Ask an expert: 13 Ways to Green-up your front garden - If there is an area of our homes, we tend to overlook, is the front garden. Once we close the door, he forgot, but our front space is as important as elsewhere in our house. The ERS agrees and under its campaign Greening Grey Britain, it encourages us to give our gardens before a little love and fill them with plants, grass and trees. Not only a beautiful entrance you feel good, it will also improve the well-being of everyone who sees it, be beneficial to wildlife and can even help reduce flooding and pollution. Here's how to turn your front yard into a beautiful green
The professional advice from :.
Jane Bingham of The Cheshire Garden
Kate Eyre Kate Eyre Garden Design
Caroline Benedict Smith Garden designer
The professional advice from :.
Jane Bingham of The Cheshire Garden
Kate Eyre Kate Eyre Garden Design
Caroline Benedict Smith Garden designer
Mark Hazeldine Photography
Make an impact
Everyone can enjoy a beautiful garden. beautiful plants offer a warm welcome when you arrive home, passers-by can enjoy the view and the smell of beautiful flowers and even your neighbors will appreciate in front of a beautiful view from their windows.
"I am passionate about gardens before," said Jane Bingham. "Shared Garden areas are so important to our well being and for the environment."
"Your space is before a good indication of what to expect beyond the front door, "said Kate Eyre. "So make sure it makes the right impact. Think about everything, including the color of your door and how it links with your overall plantation regime."
Everyone can enjoy a beautiful garden. beautiful plants offer a warm welcome when you arrive home, passers-by can enjoy the view and the smell of beautiful flowers and even your neighbors will appreciate in front of a beautiful view from their windows.
"I am passionate about gardens before," said Jane Bingham. "Shared Garden areas are so important to our well being and for the environment."
"Your space is before a good indication of what to expect beyond the front door, "said Kate Eyre. "So make sure it makes the right impact. Think about everything, including the color of your door and how it links with your overall plantation regime."
Ann-Marie Powell Gardens Ltd
choose wisely materials
Benedict Caroline Smith said the most important starting point is the choice of landscape materials. "They should help the garden to blend perfectly with your home," she said. "The front garden is the window of your home, so it should improve and create a sense of arrival."
His advice is to choose bricks, stones and gravel that match the materials used in your home. "Match the bricks on your wall before with those on the front of your property, or choose a gravel color that chooses the color of your window frames," she advises. Here the complete paving the stone property, while the pale bench highlights the door and windows.
Benedict Caroline Smith said the most important starting point is the choice of landscape materials. "They should help the garden to blend perfectly with your home," she said. "The front garden is the window of your home, so it should improve and create a sense of arrival."
His advice is to choose bricks, stones and gravel that match the materials used in your home. "Match the bricks on your wall before with those on the front of your property, or choose a gravel color that chooses the color of your window frames," she advises. Here the complete paving the stone property, while the pale bench highlights the door and windows.
LONGWORTH ASSOCIATES LTD
Designing a framework evergreen
"Start by planting evergreens with attractive shapes," recommends Eyre. "This will form a framework -Dessus which you can overlay bulbs, perennials and shrubs plants. "
in a way, you still enjoy most of your garden before winter, as you might not get out to the rear garden as often. "If you have beautiful plants that bloom in winter, put them in the garden," says Eyre. It suggests Sarcococca confusa , which has fragrant white flowers in winter, followed by berries, and Daphne odora , which has very fragrant flowers in early spring.
Benedict Smith also emphasizes the importance of evergreen structure. "Privet Topiarised and the cover box are fantastic to create a structure that remains strong throughout the year," she said. "Box must be cut just once a year on Derby Day (early June) with a pair of topiary shears. It is very therapeutic."
"Start by planting evergreens with attractive shapes," recommends Eyre. "This will form a framework -Dessus which you can overlay bulbs, perennials and shrubs plants. "
in a way, you still enjoy most of your garden before winter, as you might not get out to the rear garden as often. "If you have beautiful plants that bloom in winter, put them in the garden," says Eyre. It suggests Sarcococca confusa , which has fragrant white flowers in winter, followed by berries, and Daphne odora , which has very fragrant flowers in early spring.
Benedict Smith also emphasizes the importance of evergreen structure. "Privet Topiarised and the cover box are fantastic to create a structure that remains strong throughout the year," she said. "Box must be cut just once a year on Derby Day (early June) with a pair of topiary shears. It is very therapeutic."
the garden builders
use permeable paving
When opening your front garden, use a porous material rather than something solid like concrete or asphalt. "An increase in non-porous paving is a major cause flash flooding," said Bingham. "The vegetation does not soak the excess water so it has nowhere to go." Opt for permeable paving instead, such as gravel. "You can purchase mesh mats that will keep the gravel in place, so it does not fly off everywhere," said Bingham.
"concrete Avoid at all costs," advises Eyre. "Not only is it bad for the environment, but it can also have a detrimental effect on the house itself." Concrete stops the water absorbed in the soil and may cause soil foundations to dry and shrink, leading to sagging.
When opening your front garden, use a porous material rather than something solid like concrete or asphalt. "An increase in non-porous paving is a major cause flash flooding," said Bingham. "The vegetation does not soak the excess water so it has nowhere to go." Opt for permeable paving instead, such as gravel. "You can purchase mesh mats that will keep the gravel in place, so it does not fly off everywhere," said Bingham.
"concrete Avoid at all costs," advises Eyre. "Not only is it bad for the environment, but it can also have a detrimental effect on the house itself." Concrete stops the water absorbed in the soil and may cause soil foundations to dry and shrink, leading to sagging.
John Davies Landscape
Growing a rain garden
What if you can not use permeable paving? "Regulations allow up to five square meters of non-porous surface, unless you have somewhere in your garden for rain to drain into," Benedict said Smith. "So, a good solution is to install a rain garden."
This is an area of ground that is below the concrete surface of your garden. It helps if it has an absorbent soil and contain plants that can withstand occasional flooding. Benedict Smith recommends plant bog, as Astilbe Persicaria and Lythrum salicaria (photo purple plant), especially in areas with clay soil that does not drain so well.
What if you can not use permeable paving? "Regulations allow up to five square meters of non-porous surface, unless you have somewhere in your garden for rain to drain into," Benedict said Smith. "So, a good solution is to install a rain garden."
This is an area of ground that is below the concrete surface of your garden. It helps if it has an absorbent soil and contain plants that can withstand occasional flooding. Benedict Smith recommends plant bog, as Astilbe Persicaria and Lythrum salicaria (photo purple plant), especially in areas with clay soil that does not drain so well.
Barnes Walker Ltd - Landscape Architects
Plante on your driveway
If you need space for an entry, you can still incorporate some greenery. Remove some of the paving and planting either grass or ground covers wear-resistant in the spaces. Bingham recommends using low plants such as hardy Lysimachia nummularia Ajuga reptans , thyme, sedum and creeping phlox.
It is also possible to ask a reinforced system on a lawn mesh, which will provide a grid for grass to grow through and let cars drive more without causing damage. You will find these grilles to a number of retailers.
If you need space for an entry, you can still incorporate some greenery. Remove some of the paving and planting either grass or ground covers wear-resistant in the spaces. Bingham recommends using low plants such as hardy Lysimachia nummularia Ajuga reptans , thyme, sedum and creeping phlox.
It is also possible to ask a reinforced system on a lawn mesh, which will provide a grid for grass to grow through and let cars drive more without causing damage. You will find these grilles to a number of retailers.
Barnes Walker Ltd - Landscape Architects
Add some coverage
hedges provide shelter for wildlife, as well as a screen for privacy. They can also help to filter pollutants from the air, so they are a handy thing to have in your garden. The most common types of coverage are evergreen leylandii and laurel, which are both growing fast.
Bingham also recommends deciduous varieties such as hornbeam or beech, which retain their leaves when winter clipped hedge. "They are deceived into thinking they are still young trees, so they do not lose their foliage," she said.
"I also recommend Photinia × fraseri ' Red Robin "for its beautiful red leaves," she added.
hedges provide shelter for wildlife, as well as a screen for privacy. They can also help to filter pollutants from the air, so they are a handy thing to have in your garden. The most common types of coverage are evergreen leylandii and laurel, which are both growing fast.
Bingham also recommends deciduous varieties such as hornbeam or beech, which retain their leaves when winter clipped hedge. "They are deceived into thinking they are still young trees, so they do not lose their foliage," she said.
"I also recommend Photinia × fraseri ' Red Robin "for its beautiful red leaves," she added.
Kate Eyre Garden Design
Jazz your storage sheds
do not forget to consider your bins on wheels when planning your garden before, and maybe a bicycle storage space. wooden bins parks and bike sheds are an attractive way to hide those bulky, and present an excellent opportunity to develop a green roof on top.
Here, Eyre set a sedum tray atop a wooden structure. "We usually attractive hangar from cedar wood, and secure bicycle with a large metal buckle in the ground," says t -she.
Bingham also recommends sedum planting and wildflowers, both of which can be purchased as a ready-made carpet and posed as the grass lawn.
Given a green roof? Let the experts show you how
do not forget to consider your bins on wheels when planning your garden before, and maybe a bicycle storage space. wooden bins parks and bike sheds are an attractive way to hide those bulky, and present an excellent opportunity to develop a green roof on top.
Here, Eyre set a sedum tray atop a wooden structure. "We usually attractive hangar from cedar wood, and secure bicycle with a large metal buckle in the ground," says t -she.
Bingham also recommends sedum planting and wildflowers, both of which can be purchased as a ready-made carpet and posed as the grass lawn.
Given a green roof? Let the experts show you how
STEPHEN FLETCHER ARCHITECTS
Maximize space with a living wall
Even the tiny front gardens can go green and one of the most interesting ways to do is to think vertically with a living wall . There are companies that specialize in creating living walls systems that include depressions or planting pockets and an irrigation system.
According to Bingham, the best plants to use on a living wall are Heuchera , thyme, sedum, Carex and Ajuga reptans .
Even the tiny front gardens can go green and one of the most interesting ways to do is to think vertically with a living wall . There are companies that specialize in creating living walls systems that include depressions or planting pockets and an irrigation system.
According to Bingham, the best plants to use on a living wall are Heuchera , thyme, sedum, Carex and Ajuga reptans .
Taylor Lombardo Architects
Create an attractive entry
a simple option is to grow a beautiful climbing plant your front wall or trellis. Plant in a large pot next to the front door and let him make his way around and to form a beautiful setting. "There are so many options for climbers," said Bingham. "A good choice is Clematis armandii because it is easy to grow, or honeysuckle for its delicious fragrance."
"Roses and clematis beautiful and romantic look together," Benedict said Smith. "But they need pruning and should be trained to a trellis. If you do not want to do this, choose a climber with suckers like Hydrangea petiolaris instead."
a simple option is to grow a beautiful climbing plant your front wall or trellis. Plant in a large pot next to the front door and let him make his way around and to form a beautiful setting. "There are so many options for climbers," said Bingham. "A good choice is Clematis armandii because it is easy to grow, or honeysuckle for its delicious fragrance."
"Roses and clematis beautiful and romantic look together," Benedict said Smith. "But they need pruning and should be trained to a trellis. If you do not want to do this, choose a climber with suckers like Hydrangea petiolaris instead."
The Suffolk Window Box Co.
Enjoy plantation container
If you rent you may feel reluctant to invest in the garden, so why not focus on container instead? window boxes and planters can be filled with seasonal plants and low maintenance conifers. It is a great way to ring the changes, and they can be taken with you when you move.
Pots are high maintenance, however, and will need daily watering in summer. tip top Benedict Smith for potted plants is to add lots of mulch over the soil and put a layer of decorative gravel on top to conserve water.
Want to grow a container garden? Here's how to add color and interest with pots
If you rent you may feel reluctant to invest in the garden, so why not focus on container instead? window boxes and planters can be filled with seasonal plants and low maintenance conifers. It is a great way to ring the changes, and they can be taken with you when you move.
Pots are high maintenance, however, and will need daily watering in summer. tip top Benedict Smith for potted plants is to add lots of mulch over the soil and put a layer of decorative gravel on top to conserve water.
Want to grow a container garden? Here's how to add color and interest with pots
britanniajoinery.co.uk
Consider planters for trees
Even the trees can be grown in planters, Bingham said. "The size of the container depends on the type of tree you choose," she explains. "Topiary is always a winner, so try Bay, yew, box or privet."
It also recommends acer, cherry and crab apple and dogwood, witch hazel and magnolias.
" Amelanchier lamarckii is a lovely little tree would grow well in a container," says Benedict Smith. "Of course, nothing wants to stay in a pot forever, but you will some good years out of it. It is smaller than a cherry tree, will grow to half shade, and really do not mind what kind of ground it is. It has pretty white flowers in spring, glorious autumn color and provides berries for birds to eat. "
Even the trees can be grown in planters, Bingham said. "The size of the container depends on the type of tree you choose," she explains. "Topiary is always a winner, so try Bay, yew, box or privet."
It also recommends acer, cherry and crab apple and dogwood, witch hazel and magnolias.
" Amelanchier lamarckii is a lovely little tree would grow well in a container," says Benedict Smith. "Of course, nothing wants to stay in a pot forever, but you will some good years out of it. It is smaller than a cherry tree, will grow to half shade, and really do not mind what kind of ground it is. It has pretty white flowers in spring, glorious autumn color and provides berries for birds to eat. "
Mac Devereux Harborough Decorators
Decide whether to add the grass
opinion is divided on whether a lawn is a wise choice. "Think twice before you throw a front lawn, as it takes time to maintain, "says Eyre." And a lawn that are not supported will not look appealing in front of your house. "
" It depends on the type of home you live " says Bingham. "While it is easy to put the mower around the front, I'm going for it." However, in an apartment or a terraced house that could be easier said than done. Alternatively, Bingham recommends wildflower turf. "You just cut once a year and looks amazing," she said.
"I would be creative," suggests Benedict Smith. "Ask a curved area of lawn that path may wrap around to drive you to the door. Grass is fantastic against a path made of materials like gray slate.
"There's just a job once a week to mow the lawn and will provide a beautiful winter area of interest."
Tell us ...
How did you add greenery to your garden before? Share your ideas and pictures in the comments below.
opinion is divided on whether a lawn is a wise choice. "Think twice before you throw a front lawn, as it takes time to maintain, "says Eyre." And a lawn that are not supported will not look appealing in front of your house. "
" It depends on the type of home you live " says Bingham. "While it is easy to put the mower around the front, I'm going for it." However, in an apartment or a terraced house that could be easier said than done. Alternatively, Bingham recommends wildflower turf. "You just cut once a year and looks amazing," she said.
"I would be creative," suggests Benedict Smith. "Ask a curved area of lawn that path may wrap around to drive you to the door. Grass is fantastic against a path made of materials like gray slate.
"There's just a job once a week to mow the lawn and will provide a beautiful winter area of interest."
Tell us ...
How did you add greenery to your garden before? Share your ideas and pictures in the comments below.