Page 52 - Phonebox Magazine April 2008

Hate cutting grass? Then call Rachel
Professional & reliable grass cutting service
Patios & paths blown Strimming/General tidy
A J Grass Cutting 01234 881100 www.ajfencing.com
We cut grass all year round Regular or one off customers Small lawns to large paddocks We can cut it!
P.J.C. TREE CARE
Arborist & Forestry Contractor
Firewood/Logs For Sale
Will beat any like-for-like quote
Fully Qualified and Insured New Customer Discount
Tel: 01908 210257 Mobile: 07733 268438
42 Little Linford Lane, Newport Pagnell
Planting ideas for under deciduous trees
Trees are welcome in the garden, but planting under them can be difficult, with dry shade in summer and leaves during autumn. We often want to improve the area under deciduous trees and you are often better advised to give up trying to encourage grass, and use the space for pretty spring perennials.
The majority of a tree’s roots spread out around the base of the tree, just 30 or 40cm deep, so to make room for plants you can’t help but damage the roots when planting – using perennials as ground cover rather than annuals results in damage limitation. Try to improve the soil before planting by mulching with organic matter such as manure or compost to conserve any moisture each spring, and a slow release fertiliser will help plants establish.
Spring bulbs such as arum, cyclamen, bluebells, snowdrops and narcissus look wonderful naturalised around the base of the trunk, amongst a circle of unmown grass. Woodland plants are great for growing beneath trees. Many are extremely robust, flower during spring before the tree is in full leaf and form effective groundcover – try bergenia, brunnera macrophylla, convallaria (lily of the valley), epimedium dens-canis, fritillaria meleagris, geranium macrorrhizum, helleborus foetidus, iris foetidissima, lamium maculatum, omphalodes cappadocica, polygonatum x hybridum, tiarella cordifolia, vinca minor/major and viola odorata. K
SUMMER MEADOW
LANDSCAPES
Quality materials & craftmanship you can rely on
G Fencing, Decking & Pergolas
G Patios Laid & Cleaned
G Turfing, Pruning & Tree Surgery
G Garden Maintenance & Restoration
G Rubbish Clearance, Demolition & Drainage
For a reliable friendly service contact Mark Smith:
01908 516387 / 07801 434042
MIDLAND TREE SPECIALISTS
Commercial & Domestic 24 Hour Emergency Call Out
£5 MILLION PUBLIC LIABILITY N.P.T.C. REGISTERED
a All aspects of tree surgery work carried out by qualified and experienced arborists
a Hedges reduced, trimmed, shaped
a All debris removed from site
a Stump grinding/wood chipping
a Firewood and woodchip supplied
46 Eastfield Drive, Hanslope
a All areas covered, no job too big or small, free quotations and advice
01604 813498 MOBILE 07801 296 637
www.midlandtreespecialists.co.uk
50 Phonebox Magazine