Using rock-based products in the garden benefits the environment in numerous ways, and feels and looks delightful. Well-designed paths and steps will not only help direct you through the space, they’ll also help to place the spotlight on your plants. Try these steps: USE a rope or hose to visually position your path. Follow its shape with marking spray paint, which can be sprayed while holding the can upside down. SCRAPE 100mm of soil off the area to remove weeds and seeds, and provide a flat and even base. CREATE a drainage layer using 20mm crushed rock. The layer should be 60–100mm thick. R ..read more

Hanging baskets can be used to enliven an entrance, balcony, verandah or courtyard. They can be colourful and frivolous or elegantly restrained, bringing seasonal cheer or long-lasting joy to outdoor spaces. Plants in baskets require more TLC than grounded pot plants but the effort is worth it! What plants are best for hanging baskets? When it comes to choosing plants for your basket, it’s good to explore your local nursery for inspiration. Along with considering flower and foliage colours, it’s useful to think about the plant’s growing habit. Upright plants are good for the middle of a basket ..read more

Succulent & air plant wreath You will need: Tillandsias (air plants) Succulents Wooden embroidery hoops (available at craft and discount stores) Floral adhesive Green floral wire (avoid copper wire) Ribbon Arrange succulents and air plants around one section of the hoop. Dab a small amount of floral adhesive onto the base of each plant and glue it to the frame. For larger plants (like the Crassula ‘Gollum’ used at the top of this arrangement), use floral wire to hold them in place if needed. Add a decorative ribbon to the wreath for festive cheer. Photo credit: Paul Drury Bromeliad wreat ..read more

Sprawling roots deprive neighbouring plants of water and nutrients, making the soil dry, even barren. And a canopy can cast deep shade, making it hard for plants underneath to photosynthesise and grow. So, what can you do? How about turning to plants that have adapted naturally to growing in these difficult conditions. Bromeliads There are hundreds of bromeliads to choose from, including tiny earth stars (Cryptanthus spp.), right up to the giant Alcantarea species. Many grow as understorey plants in the wild. Billbergia, Vriesea, Aechmea, Neoregelia and Alcantarea species will also cope with c ..read more

Kidney weed (Dichondra repens) Widely used as a grass substitute in shady spots, this native groundcover has creeping stems and circular green leaves. Grow from seed or plugs. Either leave it to grow or mow it on a high setting, as with lawn. It grows in full sun, where it needs ample water, as well as semi-shade and shade in all climate zones, reaching 5–10cm (tallest in the shade) by 1.5m wide. Corsican mint (Mentha requienii syn. M. corsica) Small, round, pale-green leaves are topped with tiny purple flowers on this mint during spring and summer. It withstands light foot traffic and release ..read more

Planting a tree is an investment. It will become a feature in your garden, develop a root system and eventually shade part of the garden. However, the wrong type in the wrong spot can push up paving, out-compete other plants or throw shade where you don’t want it. While the extent of root systems varies, a general guide is to plant a tree about 1.5 times the expected width of the mature canopy away from major structures. The plant label will tell you how wide it is likely to grow. CHOOSE a species that is well suited to your climate. You want it to thrive, not just survive MATCH the size of yo ..read more

Reader’s question: Is there anything other than grass that I can use to keep down dry, dusty, sandy soil on my verge? Deryn Thorpe says: There are a number of good turf alternatives you could consider for your verge. Creeping boobialla (Myoporum parvifolium) is an extremely tough native plant that copes well with hot, dry, exposed conditions. A low, dense spreader that suppresses weeds, it features very fine green leaves (there is also a purple-leafed form) and white or pink flowers that are attractive to birds and butterflies. Equally tough in dry, sandy soils is Eremophila glabra ‘Roseworthy ..read more

1. Plastic This is sold as rolls of flexible, UV-resistant material that you cut to the desired length and secure in the ground with spikes. It’s an affordable option in green, brown or black, in widths ranging from 7.5cm to 15cm. Ends should be overlapped if more than one roll is used. 2. Timber Best for straight edges, unless you use the flexible, roll-out edging, timber provides a traditional ambience. To prevent grass invading garden beds, bury half the width of timber edging into a trench and then support the structure with timber or metal pegs. 3. Stone Choose this option for a feeling o ..read more