There are many environmental benefits to having plants, shrubs and trees in your garden. They purify the surrounding air by absorbing carbon and emitting oxygen, provide shade and natural air conditioning, and create habitats and corridors for our flora and fauna.
Urban Roots Horticulture can provide you with expert knowledge when choosing the right plant for the right location in your garden. Correct planting techniques are vital to ensure the establishment of all new plantings and their continued growth and vigour each year.
We provide a year-round planting service, supplying bare-root and root-balled stock in winter and potted and containerised stock in spring and summer. All our plants are sourced locally and sustainably from the most reputable growers in the country. The types of planting we provide range from spring bulbs, seedlings, bedding plants and ground cover to flowering shrubs, herbaceous plants, climbers, and specimen and ornamental plants.
There are a number of important factors to consider before choosing any plant for a particular location. More often than not, some of these are overlooked, which can affect the overall health and performance of your new plantings. Key factors include:
Hardiness
Each plant has a hardiness rating from H2 to H5, which refers to its ability to tolerate colder temperatures and frost. An H2 plant is tender to frost and won't tolerate temperatures below 1–5°C, whereas an H5 plant is fully hardy, tolerating temperatures from -10 to -15°C.
Aspect
Which way does your garden face — north, south, east or west? A south-facing garden will enjoy full sun for most of the day.
Soil type and condition
- Composition — is it clay, loam or sandy soil?
- What is the soil moisture content?
- Is the soil heavy or light, free draining or compacted and waterlogged?
- What is the soil pH — acidic, neutral or alkaline? This is one of the most important factors when deciding which plants and shrubs to choose.
Uses
- Decorative or ornamental — a specimen tree, or a plant with distinctive foliage, flower or fruit
- Seasonal interest — coloured stems or bright berries in winter, full foliage and flowers in summer
- Screening unsightly views or dividing the garden into different areas
- Sound-proofing — an established hedgerow reduces noise from building works or busy roads