Gardening in the city Contents

Introduction 01 Solutions for shaded areas 03 Hard landscaping 04 Shade-loving combinations 07 Solutions for sunny areas 11 Chestertons is the London and international Hard landscaping tips 11 residential property specialist. Sun-loving combinations 12

Dedicated to providing the best possible advice and Container gardens 19 service on all matters property-related. Container selection 21 Container planting rules 21 Contact us on: [email protected] Growing food in containers 25 Houseplants 27 020 3040 8240 Potting rules 28 Feeding and care 29

Plants for kitchens 30 Plants for hallways 30 and stairwells Plants for bedrooms 31 Plants for bathrooms 33 Plants for living spaces 34 Air quality 35 Best trees for air quality 37 Best shrubs for air quality 39 Introduction

Gardens and ‘green spaces’ – no matter how small – If you are new to gardening I have included advice on play a vital role in our daily lives: from cleaning the air soils and soil improvements to get you off to the best (by absorbing heavy pollutants and providing a home for start. If you don’t have a garden but love plants, we have various forms of wildlife) to simply bringing us in touch also looked at the best plants for improving air quality with the seasons of the natural world, green spaces are in the home and, which indoor plants are best suited to perhaps amongst the most cherished features of the city. which environments.

I am thrilled to have been asked by Chestertons to work with them to find easy ways to improve the quality of private green spaces in London. Whilst as a city London has a wealth of parks, squares and community gardens, Paul Hervey-Brooks has earned international acclaim as a it also has its fair share of shady damp courtyards, landscape designer, winning multiple Gold Medals at Chelsea exposed balconies and oddly shaped private gardens. Flower Show and other shows across the world. Since 2015, I am interested in how to turn these often-underused and he has been an RHS Gardens Judge and has chaired judging unloved spaces into places that can be enjoyed, be it a at all of the RHS Flower Shows, including Chelsea. relaxing terrace, a verdant (‘Green’) balcony, or simply understanding which plants best suit the space one has.

From front gardens and courtyards to container gardens, lower ground-floor spaces, balconies and sun traps – Paul Hervey-Brookes I have developed a series of helpful design tips and combinations of plants which will help you make the most of your green spaces through flower, foliage, fruit and bark.

1 2 Hard landscaping Solutions for If you are thinking of completely redesigning your garden area or balcony, natural stone is a material to seriously consider as a long-term investment. Natural stone, Shaded Areas compared to concrete or ceramic flooring, is a much more hardy material and capable of sustaining a high level of Many houses, apartments and buildings in London wear and tear caused by weather, humans and pets. tend to be shaded for prolonged periods of the day, which means making a welcoming oasis a challenge for As a rule in shaded spaces a lighter toned material such many home owners. However, this is not an impossible as sandstone can help to increase the intensity of light challenge as there are many plants which thrive in shaded within an outdoor space, while the rich, darker tones condition’s and can often provide benefits that are not found in slate will help increase the drama and contrast immediately obvious. Some of the shadiest spaces can between planting and the rest of the space. grow the most amazing types of plants and, with clever Sustainable materials such as wood are a great addition use of the space they can make even the smallest space to any outdoor space regardless of size. A soft wood feel much larger. typically has a life span of up to 15 years when kept in Shade is often caused by taller buildings blocking good condition and tends to be cheaper than hard woods direct sunshine, but those buildings also help create such as oak. However a hard wood can, if looked after advantageous gardening conditions by reducing wind correctly, last up to 50 years so, where budget allows opt flow, increasing air temperatures and by absorbing heat for oak and other hard woods for gates, garden furniture and then releasing it overnight. This means that London and planting supports. With most heavily shaded gardens gardens can grow a staggering variety of plants that wood should be avoided as it has a tendency to retain would be completely unthinkable in the rest of the country. moisture becoming slippery.

3 4 Sustainable materials such as wood are a great addition to any outdoor space regardless of size. Shade-loving combinations Dry shade For many people, the combination of dry conditions and shade makes creating a green space highly challenging, but the following plants which can be planted in a container or planting beds with up to 3m2 of space will offer gardeners interesting foliage and seasonal flowers. Winter flowering wind flower Ivy-leaved cyclamen (Anemone blanda) (Cyclamen hederifolium)

Flowering evergreen perennial (Vinca minor ‘Gertrude Jekyll’)

Fern New Zealand wind grass (Dryopteris affinis) (Anemanthele lessioniana) Dappled shade The majority of properties will have areas that are partially shaded by nearby buildings or trees, causing daylight to be filtered through to plants. Whilst dappled shade doesn’t remove sunlight totally it does mean that plants will generally grow tall and leggy. The following varieties thrive in these semi-shaded places: Summer flower Winter flowering evergreen (Astrantia maxima) (Osmanthus x burkwoodii)

7 8 Summer flower (Hydrangea quercifolia) (Autumn leaf colour)

Red winter stems Daffodil (Cornus alba siberica) (Narcissus ‘Jack Snipe’) Damp shade Some spaces always seem to attract moisture, low lying gardens for example often have a shaded spot where the soil remains fairly damp. The varieties detailed below thrive in damp conditions.

Purple meadow sweet Blue flowering pulmonaria (Fillipendula purpurea) (Pulmonaria ‘Blue Ensign’)

Evergreen prostrate shrub Ostrich fern (Rubus tricolor) (Matteuccia struthiopteris)

Fringe drop Snowdrop (Tellima grandiflora) (Galanthus nivalis)

Sweet violet Globeflower ‘Lemon Queen’ (Viola ordorata) (Trollius ‘Lemon Queen’) 9 10 Consider carefully and spend time observing how much sun and heat your space attracts before making any Solutions for costly hard landscaping decisions. sunny areas Wooden decking, steps and railings can be prone to splitting and warping with excess heat so whilst the Sunny south-facing gardens and balconies are a major initial costs may seem economical, there are a number selling point for most properties, but over-exposure to of ongoing maintenance and use considerations to bear the sun can be problematic for some plants as it can dry in mind. the top layer of soil. Balconies will often also face the Sun-loving combinations additional issue of a drying breeze which, when combined with warm light, means that plants in containers will need Sun-loving plants can be planted in containers or 2 a little extra care to ensure they don’t suffer. planting beds up to 3m in total space.

Even sunny gardens with drought loving plants can get Dry sun over heated so always add a thick layer of soil preserving Dry soils caused by full sun can make it difficult mulch or top dressing – leaves, gravel, bark and even for many plants to establish themselves but this cocoa husks make great covering and reduce weeding. combination will give year round interest and thrive in a difficult dry situation: Hard landscaping tips Light coloured paving materials may seem visually appealing but glare from the midday sun could become uncomfortable. However, dark paving can heat up during the day radiating heat onto plants, causing scorch and wilting. In very hot weather it can also prove uncomfortable to walk on barefoot. Autumn fruits (Evergreen) Russian sage (Arbutus unedo Strawberry (Perovskia atriplicifolia) tree)

11 12 Golden oaks – Sea holly Stipa Globe thistle – Verbena bonariensis Panicum ‘Warrior” (Eryngium ‘Blue Hobbit’) Echinops Full sun Full sun and air purifying Gardens which are south facing tend to get a lot of sun Small leaved shrubs and perennials have been proven to but can easily look wilted and tired in the midday heat. help trap bad air and purify it. This combination loves the This combination loves the sun, is great for pollinators full sun and cleans the air around you. and looks good year round.

Artemisia ‘Powis Castle’ Briza media Nandina domestica Hebe ‘Purple Queen’ (Spring/Autumn Colour) (Evergreen)

Baptisia australis Heuchera Pennisetum ‘Hameln’ ‘Coral Forest’ Abelia x grandifolia 13 14 Bulbs Sun-loving bulbs include:

Wild species tulip (Tulip sprengeri) Allium ‘Purple Sensation’

Wild daffodil (Narcissus pseudonarcissus) Late summer flower (Allium sphaerocephalon)

15 16 Container gardens are perfect for those that live in apartments with balconies or roof tops.

17 18 Container gardens

Container gardens are perfect for those that live in One of the biggest upsides to container gardening is apartments with balconies or roof tops and, those that the almost inexhaustible choice available: from antique are renting for relatively short periods of time and want lead Versailles planters and durable terracotta pots, to to take their garden with them when they move: they wood and recycled plastic window boxes, right the way are relatively low-maintenance; low-cost; can be shifted to up-cycled objects, there is a container style for every around a space as and when required; adaptable to person and every style of home. almost any space and any taste; and can even be used to grow herbs, vegetables and fruit.

19 20 Container selection Having such a wide range of options means sometimes choosing the right container seems like an impossible task. However, simply by narrowing your options and thinking about what you want to plant, choosing the right container is relatively easy. Tropical big leaved plants look great in large glazed containers, whilst traditional formal shapes and plants like Lavender, look good in terracotta or lead. If you’re still unsure, look at your home for clues: the colour of the brick, stone or plasterwork and any architectural details may give you a spark of inspiration to find the right container to sit in harmony with your home. 4. If you plan to plant large shrubs, trees or plants such as bamboo, then consider using an irrigation system. Container planting rules Depending on where you locate the container and the 1. Generally, the bigger the container the less likely the size of the plants it may also be worth consulting a soil will dry out from warm breezes and sun. professional for advice about wind tolerance. 2. Old broken terracotta (crock) should be put into 5. Once you have planted the container add a top the bottom of the container to help with drainage, dressing of aggregates, chipped bark or another particularly important during winter. Do not be decorative medium. This will not only look good whilst tempted to use polystyrene or plastic as this will not the plants are establishing themselves but will also work effectively. This layer should be roughly one fifth help prevent the top layer of soil from drying out. of the internal depth of the pot. 6. Plants in containers should be fed with a soluble food 3. The planting material you use should be peat-free, which can be added to water during spring, summer ideally soil based but if not, a good quality medium and flowering periods. There are some specially which is suitable for containers and able to retain developed container feeds and a good garden centre water is better than general purpose composts. or retailer will be able to help you select the right one for your needs.

21 22 For sunny areas with a Mediterranean feel

Hosta ‘Francee” Campanula persicifolia Epimedium x ver. ‘Sulphureum For rooftops and exposed locations Bergenia Melianthus major cilliata Salvia g. “Black and Blue’

Betula utlilis (space allowing) Cornus kousa

Erigeron karvinskianus Foeniculum vulgare ‘Purpureum’

For shade with rich foliage and flower

Indigofera tinctoria Hemerocaliis ‘Stella de Oro’

Winter flowering (Sarcococca Dicentra ‘Stuart Boothman’ hookeriana var. humilis)

Perovskia atriplicifolia Stachys ‘Big Ears’ 23 24 Growing food in containers If you have space for a larger container then you could have a great little harvesting patch. A raised bed or a series of larger containers will do the trick. Most herbs, vegetables and fruits will do well in containers, but this list includes the easiest to grow in containers.

Fruit Herbs – Gooseberry – Rosemary – Blackcurrant – Dill – Redcurrant – Parsley – Basil (only ever water Vegetables in the morning for – Courgette richest flavour) – Runner Bean – Chillies (support with – Sage a wigwam) – Thyme – Lettuce – Radish – Beetroot – Broad bean – Tomatoes (best if you have full sun)

25 26 Potting rules Houseplants Selecting the correct size pot for the type of plant you are going to grow is essential, as many houseplants perform better if the roots are slightly restricted and want to grow Even if you don’t have a garden or balcony, it is still upwards and tall, while others prefer a lot of drainage, possible to grow a huge variety of plants indoors which or humidity, and will thrive with a full saucer of water not only add to your home’s sense of sanctuary, but also underneath them. The key is to remember that we are help purify the air. From sunny rooms to shaded hallways trying to replicate their natural growing conditions as best there is a plant for every part of the house and, contrary we can to make them as happy and healthy as possible, to popular myth, the right houseplant in the right place so need to treat those plants from warmer climates is not only easy to care for but can reward you with differently to those from cooler parts of the world. luxuriant foliage and flowers. Drainage is a key factor because most houseplants will The beauty of houseplants is that they come in nearly not be repotted for one or two years at a time and you every conceivable shape and size, from palm and figs need to keep the soil as healthy as possible. Specialised to bushy ferns, trailing plants, orchids, cactus and even houseplant compost is available from most garden plants which do not even need soil, it really is a world of centres and this combined with a layer of hydroleca endless possibilities. (volcanic clay pebbles) at the base of the pot will help drainage. Additionally, if the container is very large, charcoal at the base will also prevent the water in the soil turning sour.

27 28 Depending on the nature of the Plants for kitchens plant you may want to add a layer – Stephanotis floribunda, the heavy scented flowering, Madagascar Jasmine of aggregate on top of the compost, – Sansevieria cylindrical, upright evergreen Mother-in- but if the container is large enough a laws Tongue good idea is to replicate nature and – Ficus elastica ‘Burgundy’ Specimane foliage use a ground covering houseplant Rubberplant tree which will give a more natural and – Aloe vera, succulent Aloe visually more interesting finish. – Senecio rowleyanus, hanging String of Pearls Plant All ideal for a warm kitchen with in-direct light.

Feeding and care Plants for hallways and stairwells Houseplants can only take a limited amount of nutrients – Aglaonema a tall growing foliage plant from the soil, so it is therefore really important to provide – Aspidistra the Cast iron Plant has green or the right nutrients alongside watering. The easiest way to variegated foliage and it happy in a draught do this is to buy a good quality plant food. Although there – Dracaena a tall growing plant which looks a bit is a lot of choice and it is easy to get overwhelmed, good like a palm. Commonly called the Dragon Tree garden shops will be able to offer helpful advice and may well stock food specific for palms, foliage plants, orchids – Calathea, a bold foliage plants who’s leaves and cactus so make sure you explain what you are trying close upwards at night giving it the common to achieve and let them help you. name Prayer Plant – Howea forsteriana, the Kentia palm a multi stems Over-feeding can cause stunted growth so it’s important tall growing palm which is happy in a draught to only feed during the growing seasons – spring and autumn and when in flower as a general rule. All ideal for a situation where there is a draught or fluctuating temperatures and middies light.

29 30 Plants for bedrooms – Monstera deliciosa, the Cheese plant has large cut foliage – Rhapsis excelsa, the Lady Palm has long rich green leaves – Nephrolepsis exaltata the Boston fern is well known for its large fern like leaves and rich green colour – Philadendron bipinnatifidum, the Lacy tree is a large growing rich green foliage plant – Chlorophytum comosum, the humble spider plant of the 70s with stripe like variegated foliage These plants are all well known for their ability to clean the air, important in one of the rooms in the house we spend most of our time.

31 32 Plants for living spaces – Dracaena a tall growing plant which looks a bit like a palm. Commonly called the Dragon Tree – Ficus lyrata, the fiddle fig, is a tall growing fit with leaves which resemble a fiddle – Rhapsis excelsa, the Lady Palm has long rich green leaves – Sansevieria cylindrical, upright evergreen Mother-in- laws Tongue – Chlorophytum comosum, the humble spider plant of the 70s with stripe like variegated foliage

Plants for bathrooms – Chlorophytum comosum, the humble spider plant of the 70s with stripe like variegated foliage – Aloe vera, succulent Aloe – Aspidistra the Cast iron Plant has green or variegated foliage and it happy in a draught – Spathiphyllum, the Peace lily, has white large flowers and exotic foliage – Adiantum, the maiden hair fern has delicate frond like foliage and wiry black stems These plants all enjoy the humidity and warmth of a bathroom setting.

33 34 Trees play a crucial role in reducing carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions and smog within built-up areas, with certain Air quality types being classified as ‘Super anti-smog’. These trees can have impressive benefits within a measured period of The air we breathe is one of the single most important just 20 years, given many will live for well over 100 years elements in maintaining our health. The World Health these trees can capture up to 4000 kilos of CO2. They Organisation says that by reducing air pollution we also help stop the spread of clouds of micro-particles, can reduce the chances of strokes, heart disease, lung which are linked to cardiovascular health issues such as cancer, and both chronic and acute respiratory diseases, cardiac arrhythmias and heart attacks, and respiratory including asthma. effects such as asthma and bronchitis. Like many major cities, London suffers from poor air quality, but is taking steps to address this by encouraging use of electric cars by installing new ...these trees can capture up to charging points and introducing the ‘Low Emission Zone’. It is also very lucky to be one of the greenest of CO2. capital cities in the world, with approximately 47% (205 4000 kilos acres worth) of public green space in central London alone. However, with only the smallest balcony or window box, everyone can play a part in improving the overall quality of London’s air, as well as the quality of the air in the immediate vicinity of our homes.

35 36 Little leaf lime or linden – Tilia cordata A tall variety, Lindens are typically planted in cities and gardens Best trees for and this variety is excellent in capturing CO2 and effectively air quality reducing smog. Acer platanoides – Norway maple A tall, fast-growing tree that can grow up to 25 metres, this Hackberry – Celtis australis maple tree has an especially high CO2 storage capacity (4,807 A fast-growing plant that can grow kilos in 30 years). up to 20-25 metres. It is particularly suited to absorbing carbon dioxide (3,660 kilos in 20 years) and Ginkgo biloba effectively capturing pollutants. The Ginkgo biloba is a very old tree – dating back to 250 millions of years ago – and, besides absorbing up to Betula pendula – Silver birch 2,800 kilos of CO2, is a fundamental The silver birch is able to grow in most difficult conditions. barrier against gas, clouds of dust Celts and old German tribes considered it a ‘holy tree’ but more and heat, being perfectly adaptable importantly today, it is capable of absorbing up to 3,100 kilos of to soils of every kind. CO2 over 20 years. Black Alder – Alnus glutinosa Common ash – Fraxinus excelsior The black alder, with an average height of 10 meters, is the A large deciduous tree that can little one of the group. Nevertheless, it can store up to 2,600 exceed 30 metres in height, Ash trees kilos of CO2 and has a strong absorbing power against other are fast-growing, especially in their gas pollutants. early years, and can store over 2700 kilos of CO2 in 30 years. They are also excellent at reducing pollutants.

37 38 Best shrubs for air quality

Our top recommendations for shrubs and perennials are for those easy in containers, window boxes, roof gardens and the ground. Those with a symbol next For those with smaller gardens, the to them are also good for pollinators such as bees. rule is pretty simple, small leaved plants and particularly those with Taxus beccata leaves which are rough or hairy are Can be grown as a hedge or topiary shapes. perfect for trapping air and making absorption of CO2 easier.

Salvia rosmarinifolius (Rosemary) Scented edible herb, perennial with blue flowers over many months. Also great for bees.

Cistus sp. Scented leaves, white, pink or red flowers. Good for pollinators.

39 40 Hebe sp. Variety of leaf shapes, Stachys l. ‘Big Ears’ colours and many different Green furry leaves and tall shades of flower. purple flowers over summer.

Lavendula sp. Geranium maculata Scented grey-green foliage, Hardy perennial, clusters of flowers throughout summer. purple/pink flowers in summer.

Heuchera sp. Lonicera nitidia Many forms of this hardy Dense foliage, evergreen. perennial in colours from orange, green, Burgundy to pale pinks.

Alchemila mollis Hardy perennial, lime green flowers over summer.

41 42 FSC

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