Prepared for all situations
It is very useful to have your plants and flowers labelled by name, as long as these same plants aren't knocked down by the slightest gust of wind. Supporting your plants with stakes or frames is strongly advised. There is no need to stake each individual flower as that would make your compositions too rigid. Instead support a group of stems to keep your planting looking good. Be careful not to end up with a forest of stakes in your garden. Too many will do more harm than good.
The Chelsea planting circle is especially suitable for supporting hardies. Plant it in the ground and there you have it!
To support your plants in style, invest in a decorative frame. Guide your potted climbers with an easily planted ladder frame or abamboo or PVC hoop.
In your gardens, opt for a coconut frame or decorative bamboo. The support these frames give will be very beneficial for your plants.
Acacia supports (ideal for tomato plants), and plastic covered steel, plastic covered bamboo or natural supports should be placed in the ground before filling in the plant hole once the shrub or plant is in place. Stand as vertically as possible on the side of prevailing winds so as not to damage tree roots. Finally, pack down the earth, and water. Also think about attaching the trunk or branches with a flexible tie, crossing the two ends of the tie between the support and the trunk.
The majority of supports can be used for a number of years if you take care to bring them in when tidying your flower beds in the autumn. With supports made from natural fibres, take care to remove all traces of dry or still green vegetation. Also remove any remaining soil, when dry, with a firm bristle brush and spray with diluted bleach. This way, any possible sources of contamination are neutralised. A simple but beneficial task!
So, with a few simple tasks, you can allow your garden to show its full potential. Labelled and supported, the garden has some pleasant surprises in store.
