Welcome to the Hardy Plant Society

How we get to design plans involves many steps.  I should say here that I know many of you are trained garden designers, but neither I nor my husband are - we are enthusiastic amateurs and this post is about the way we approach designing and building our garden.  

One of the many joys of visiting flower shows, nurseries and open gardens is discovering which ofthe many plants blooming to perfection attract the most attention from pollinators. 

As recalled in the well worth a read, 'Growing Guide to Penstemons', the founder of what is now 'Thompson and Morgan' wrote in 1855 that should he have to pick just two plants to sell, they would be the Penstemon and the Salvia. 

A month of contrasts: cool and wet at first and then, mid-month, too hot for me to work outside . Watering has been time-consuming ...

Rudbeckia subtomentosa ‘Loofahsa Wheaten Gold’

A late summer perennial daisy raised by Anthony Brooks who bred several good plants at Elton Hall, Shropshire ...

I have to admit to a slight love hate relationship with herbaceous peonies. I have always admired these amazing flowers that, if happy with their growing conditions in a sunny spot in moist, but well drained soil, stop people in their tracks when they bloom in the garden. On the other hand, as cut flowers, they can be capricious. 

Known in its native northern California as the ‘fetid adder’s tongue’ this little plant is not well served by its name. I have lost my sense of smell, but even those with a nose say you have to get really close to it to catch the scent ...

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There is so much forage available in the countryside surrounding my home that I am amazed to see pollinators showing interest in my borders in June. New garden flowers are opening daily and proving their wildlife credentials by attracting a plethora of pollinators.

Do you want to design and build your garden yourself, or do you want to hire in professionals to design it and provide you with a planting list, perhaps even get the designer to project manage contractors to deliver that agreed design?   In a garden this big, with a very limited budget our aim was to do it all ourselves, whatever “it” was.