Ground cover plants are extremely beneficial in suppressing weed growth within the garden beds and amongst the ornamental plants. However, utility does not have to be the primary function, ground cover plants are aesthetically beneficial too, with many being highly decorative in their own right. A variety of colours and textures are to be found and once established most weed seedlings that attempt to grow will be successfully smothered by the ground cover canopy, depriving them of light and competing with them for water.

Ground cover plants also have great benefits with regards to the garden location and site topography.
Where steep slopes exist and are subject to erosion, plants with a low spreading habit and vigorous root growth will provide stability to the soil, particularly after heavy rainfalls. The following are recommended:

Juniperus squamata – Blue Carpet.

Cotoneaster dammeri – Bear Berry.

Hypericum calycinum – Rose of Sharon.

A wildlife garden can benefit too with the addition of ground cover to attract the bees and butterflies, such as:

Thymus praecox – creeping thyme.

Lotus corniculatus – bird’s foot trefoil.

In dry locations and to inhibit evaporation from soil and to eliminate the use of a top surface mulch, ground cover plants should not be underestimated. A dense planting of evergreens will assist in shading the soil, keeping it cool and natural leaf decomposition will act as the mulch.
The following plants are suggested: 

Rosmarinus – rosemary

Lavandula – lavender

Cistus skanbergii – dwarf pink rockrose.

Cistus Corbariensis – hybrid rockrose.

Ground cover plants can provide colour to areas of shade, the following are examples:

Bergenia – Ballawley, elephants ears.

Euonymus fortunei – spindle emerald/gold.

Symphytum x uplandicum ‘Variegatum’

When selecting ground cover plants it is best to choose the ones of vigorous growth and that will cover their allotted space in a short duration of time. It is important that they are perennial, either evergreen all year round or emerging rapidly in spring before the unwanted weeds have a chance to set seed.

Ground cover plants are not necessarily confined to low growing, but taller shrubs of medium height can also be used to
suppress weeds beneath their own canopy and below tree canopies too, such as:

Fatsia japonica - ‘Variegata’

Cotoneaster conspicuss – Tibetan.

Prunus lauroceraus - ‘OttoLuyken’
 
There are numerous ornamental ground cover plants available that can provide great colour and interest to the garden and when preparing to plant, ensure that the ground is weed free prior to planting and take heed of the recommended spacing, as this can vary from plant to plant.

This year and the years to follow, why not reduce the weeding time and bring additional benefits to the garden by incorporating a variety of ground cover plants.

Most, if not all gardens there will exist an area subjected to shade, an area of comparative darkness and coolness caused by a shelter from the direct sunlight.

As the summer approaches and the strength of the sun’s rays increase, the shady areas which are often neglected should perhaps be embraced and appreciated more. Shade is created by buildings, walls, fences or tree top canopies and when a solid structure is the cause, more often than not, it will provide protection against wind too.

This microclimate can provide a pleasant seating area on a hard or soft landscaped surface, providing protection from the midday sun and strong winds. Climbing plants which are suitable to grow in shade are:
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• Trachelospermum Jasminiode
• Parthenocissus Quinquefolia aka Virginia Creeper
• Clematis
• Lonicera aka Honeysuckle
• Hydrangea Petiolaris

Certain types of climbing roses are also shade tolerant and some climbers are more vigorous than others which should be taken into consideration.

Shrubs can be planted directly into the ground or the use of pots maybe more appropriate. As with climbers, many shrubs can provide a profusion of colour within an area of comparative darkness.

Popular shrubs for growing in the shade are:

• Sarcococca Hookeriana
• Mahonia
• Camellia
• Hydrangea
• Fatsia Japonica
• Hostas

There are numerous other shrubs which are compatible with shade and it is advisable to research online or a visit to a nearby garden centre. The average temperature will also has a huge affect on the plants growing rate and an area of shade is most likely to have a North or North Easterly aspect and subject to cold, if not freezing temperatures during the winter. This should be taken into consideration before plant selection. Treetop canopies can provide full shade to a dapple shade and the choice of planting here should be more akin to a natural woodland environment. These would be perennials which return each year such as:

• Digitalis/Foxglove
  
• Hyacinthoides/Common Bluebells
  
• Allium ursinum/Wild Garlic
  
• Lamium/Dead Nettle.

The above, once again can bring great colour and vibrancy to an otherwise sombre section
of the garden.

Therefore, no longer be kept in the dark, surround oneself with an abundance of colour and
sally forth into the shade.

​Frogs and toads are a great indicator of a thriving ecosystem existing within the garden, it is therefore advisable to create a welcoming environment for them to live.

They are classified as bioindicators, a living organism which represents the health of the garden, similar to worms and lichens and if any toxins or harsh chemicals are present then these bioindicators may perish. The greatest benefit frogs and toads have to offer is their diet, they consume a variety of insects, a natural method of eliminating the unwanted pests and not having to resort to a synthetic pesticide.

March onwards frogspawn and toadspawn can be seen beneath the surface of ponds and streams, frogspawn takes on the appearance of jelly like eggs, whereas, toadspawn has more of a ribbon like character. The frogspawn dots transmute into comma shape, then into unhatched tadpoles and finally the full metamorphosis is complete from tadpole to frog, this final stage can range from one month to several depending on the species. The tadpole diet of algae changes to a
carnivorous diet for the frog. If there is an abundance of algae and a congenial environment the tadpole can delay its transformation into a frog. However, if algae is sparse and predators abound then they will transform into a frog sooner.
To encourage frogs and toads into the garden a natural environment will have to be created for them which resembles their natural habitat in the wild. Firstly, when choosing plants and shrubs, if possible incorporate native plants, shrubs and grasses opposed to non-native or invasive plants.

The addition of a pond or water-feature is an axiom, it is the breeding ground and without doubt the greatest enticement to allure the amphibians, but ensure the pond has a natural, informal edge creating easier access and wildlife friendly.
Its not just presence of water but also compost heaps, piles of logs or stones where they can seek shelter and prey on slugs and insects too.

It is reputed that frogs and toads can consume up to an astounding one hundred insects each day, this being extremely beneficial to the entire garden including the vegetable garden, thus, requiring little need for pesticides.

Chemicals accumulate in water and being that frogs and toads requiring a moist, damp environment, they would suffer immensely from the run off of pesticide use. For a well balanced ecosystem to exist then why not encourage frogs and toads into the garden, a delight to listen to in during the summer and a natural way to keep the pests at bay.