Plants for particular situations

To make a successful garden it is crucial to choose plants that are suitable for the prevailling conditions. All plants have preferences; moist or dry soils, acid or limey, warm climates or cold. Traditionally, gardeners have expended energy on making conditions suit particular plants, in places where they would naturally grow, by changing the nature of the soil or using copious quantities of water. However, water shortages, and the pollutant effects of chemicals have compelled people to think in terms of a more natural approach.

Instead of changing conditions to suit plants, today the trend is towards choosing plants to suit the place.

Sympathetic Planting
Damp areas of the garden, in particular water features, need to be planted sympathetically, Moisture-loving plants have large lush foliage at the expense of brilliant flower colour. Use features, such as little bridges, to create accents instead.