Expert tips

Talk to the locals

Jeremy and Kathryn both recommend that gardeners new to an area talk to local gardeners and experts to assist in making garden decisions.

Be patient

Take your time to find out where the sun and wind travel in your garden, especially if you live in an area where equinox winds are strong.

You will get it wrong

Be prepared to find that you have made mistakes in plant and location choices. “We’ve relocated lots of plants in our gardens,” Jeremy and Kathryn agree. “Sometimes we’ve had to just give up on a plant as it was just not worth the effort to maintain.”

Stick with quality

“We’ve often had to plant in bulk. This can be expensive, so we have bought good quality perennials that can be divided at the end of the season or propagated through cuttings.”