Arrangement of near-trunk circles of trees. How to arrange a flower garden under a tree in trunk circles Design around fruit trees

Many amateur gardeners, owners of small household plots, often face the question: how to combine a garden, vegetable garden and flower beds in a small area. Yes, even so that there is maximum benefit from everything, and the site to look beautiful.

There is an answer to this question: it is natural that the best decoration of the site are flowers grouped in flower beds, borders, mixborders. But under the deciduous trees is the realm of shade, and the soil is pierced with roots. All this creates a rather unattractive look in the garden. What to do in such a situation?

It turns out that it is possible to decorate the site with flower beds, where priority is given to the orchard. To do this, it is enough to create near-trunk flower beds.

We decorate the orchard with near-stem beds and flower beds

We know that in nature plants form groups according to certain biological characteristics. Not all trees and plants can be good neighbors. Some trees cannot be good neighbors at all, they release substances into the soil that not only inhibit the development of other plants, they can be detrimental to them. These trees include walnut, Robinia (false acacia), hazel, walnut.

Therefore, having certain knowledge, such biological groups can be created in your garden, trying to create the most beautiful composition.

shade plants

Many plants do well in the shade. These include periwinkle, ivy, stonecrop. Not only ground cover plants, but perennials and perennials can decorate a near-stem flower bed. These are hostas, ferns, kupena, pansies, nasturtium. Of the bulbous ones, snowdrops, blueberries, crocuses, muscari are perfect. We try to choose plants in which the root system does not penetrate deep into the soil.

Mutually beneficial neighborhood

Properly selected "neighbors" will not only retain moisture, they will also become a biological protection for trees. So, lilies of the valley in a near-stem flower bed will save cherries and cherries from fruit rot and moniliosis. Marigolds, calendula and nasturtium will protect apple and cherry trees from aphids and nematodes.

How to properly prepare the soil for a flower bed around a tree

Properly prepared soil under the tree will enable all plants to feel comfortable. First of all, in the near-stem circle we remove all weeds and grass. We find free gaps between the roots of the tree and make marks. Using a spatula, we remove the top layer of soil, up to 10 cm deep, making a kind of niche, which we then fill with fertile soil. After abundant watering with water, we plant the plants, and water again. Soil gaps without plants can be mulched with bark.

Do not pour a layer of soil on the trunk of a tree. This can stimulate the formation of additional roots and create conditions for the tree trunk to rot.

In almost any garden you can find growing trees - large plants that take up a lot of space. At the same time, it is important to properly care for the tree itself (do timely pruning, regularly water and feed if necessary, monitor the condition of the trunk and branches), but also keep in order the place around the trunk, or the trunk circle. There are many ways to decorate this area.

We use natural materials

The trunk circle of a tree is the area around it, approximately equal to the diameter of the crown. In orchards, sometimes this whole area is regularly dug up, freeing from weeds. This, of course, facilitates watering and fertilizing, but it does not look very attractive, and it takes up a lot of land. Therefore, usually trunk circles around trees are made much smaller (0.8-1.5 m in diameter) and use one or another design method. This is especially important to do on the lawn.

Buy bark for mulching

The most environmentally friendly design method is the use of natural materials. These are crushed bark, colored or gray chips, needles and cones from the forest.

Bark and plastic border

Shavings and sawdust are also suitable, but they must be old (at least 2 years old). Such mulching (backfilling with a layer of 5-10 cm) is especially useful under coniferous plants - they develop much better and grow faster. The soil under the mulch dries out less, it partially inhibits the growth of weeds, collapsing, the mulch eventually serves as food for the roots. So that the mulch does not mix with the soil and weeds grow less, it is better to first put black spunbond on it, and mulching material on top. To prevent the mulch from scattering and mixing with the lawn, a 10 cm wide plastic curb is placed along the perimeter, which protrudes 2-3 cm above the ground, without interfering with the operation of the lawn mower. Small logs, stones, bricks can be used as limiters.

Buy plastic border and border tape

Inert materials are also suitable

Often, inert materials are used to decorate near-stem circles of trees or shrubs - large and small pebbles, gravel, colored glass, etc. They look very impressive, almost eternal, as they do not rot. Laid on spunbond, they do not scatter, retain moisture, and prevent the growth of weeds. Along the perimeter, they also make restrictions from a plastic border, stone, brick, etc. Large flat white pebbles and colored glass look especially impressive.

Small gravel and plastic curb

Just a lawn around a tree

In some cases, adjoining the lawn directly to the tree trunk is permissible. This is justified in cases where adult trees (fruit and ornamental) are already growing on the site, the trunk diameter of which is large enough - more than 20 cm.

This always makes it difficult to mow the grass around the trunks, sometimes ugly bumps can form - you need to regularly cut the grass near the trunks with scissors or a trimmer. Sometimes the lawn around tree trunks is decorated around the perimeter with stones, which also makes it difficult to cut the grass.

Using stones as a border around trees

In some parks, they use this technique for decorating near-stem circles of trees: if a tree grows on a path, turf is laid around it at a low height, which limits the raised border.

We decorate with plants

The near-trunk circle around the tree, decorated with decorative leafy plants, looks impressive. Often the soil under the tree is shaded, in which case shade-tolerant plants are perfect - a variety of hostas, ferns, ivy, as well as multi-colored coleus with red-yellow-green leaves.

Plants can be free planted, or they can be enclosed in a low module of stone or brick.

Trunk circle of ornamental plants (host)

Particularly attractive are the compositions around the trunks of flowering plants. Along with decorative leaves, they will perfectly fit into the overall picture, fill it with colors. In the spring, when there are still no leaves on the trees and there is a lot of light, this role will be played by early bulbous plants - crocuses, chionodoxes, pushkinias, galanthus, erantis, dwarf anemones, as well as primroses, daisies, violas. In the summer, depending on the degree of shading, other plants are selected. With strong shading, creeping tenacity, balsams, violas, ever-flowering begonias are used.

Begonia evergreen

Where there is more light, there are lilies, various annuals, cereals, stonecrops and many other plants.

Sometimes such mini-compositions are enclosed in low stone curbs, or path slabs serve as a limitation. If it is necessary to decorate a tree trunk, beautifully blooming vines are planted nearby (bougainvillea - in the south, climbing roses and clematis - with us).

Raised beds around trees

Often when planning a lawn or other cover, it turns out that the growing tree (root neck) is higher than the main plane of the cover. In this case, it is advisable to build a raised flower bed around the tree (made of stone or brick) - a round or rectangular frame is made along the diameter of the near-stem circle 20-50 cm high. This is necessary to preserve the root system of the tree, and is also used as a decorative technique. In such a flower bed, you can plant any plants that will cover the ground and play the role of a spectacular composition. Sometimes this technique is used on purpose, especially on hard surfaces, to lift the plants off the ground and protect them, especially where there are a lot of people.

The same is done when the root neck of the tree is below the expected level of the lawn. Then they make a well, for example, of brick, to the desired level in order to preserve the root system of the tree.

Use of low railings

If necessary, and for decorative purposes, low fences made of wood, metal, plastic are used around the near-trunk circles of trees. Their height ranges from 20-30 to 50-60 cm. This is also done to protect plants planted inside from trampling. Sometimes in this case, plants of the same height as the fence are used, sometimes they are slightly higher or lower than the fence. The contours of the fence can be rounded, rectangular or indefinitely shaped.

Bosquets as decoration

Bosquets (low sheared hedges of evergreens (boxwood) around trees) look beautiful and neat. They are usually round or square in shape. Sometimes they are made solid, reaching the trunk of a tree, but more often in the form of a wide border. Inside it, the earth can be mulched with bark or pebbles. But bosquets with flowering or ornamental foliage plants planted in them in the form of a geometric pattern are especially spectacular.

Boxwood bosquets around a tree filled with flowering plants

Text and photo: Natalia Yurtaeva, landscape designer

Gallery:

Connoisseurs of natural harmony strive to turn a place in the shade of a fragrant linden, mighty oak or compact chestnut tree into a cozy corner of relaxation and solitude.

For some summer residents, the best solution would be to put an ordinary bench under a tree, while others are looking for original ideas.

In any case, a lawn under a tree can not only perform an aesthetic function, but also carry a functional load, serving as a place for a family tea party, an evening conversation with friends, or lonely thought.

Create a flower bed under a tree

A flower bed around a tree looks spectacular, and for inexperienced inhabitants, such an idea seems simple and easy to implement. However, when creating it, it is necessary to take into account the compatibility of the type of tree and ornamental plants growing under it. There are species that do not tolerate any vegetation in the zone of the near-trunk circle. Such individual farmers include birch, willow, spruce, walnut, larch, maple, irga, thuja and pine.

These tree species have a shallow root system and will overwhelm any closely growing plant, competing for nutrients and moisture. It is better to arrange the trunk circles of this group of trees in some other way than to create a flower garden doomed to death. Lawn grass will grow well under such trees.

However, with a strong desire in such cases, it is possible to create some elevation from the soil mixture in the form of a podium, the design of such a flower garden will be discussed in more detail below. Hazel and chestnut produce substances that are toxic to other plants.

Apple, pear, mountain ash, linden, oak, poplar, ash and fir easily let grassy neighbors under their crown, allowing you to create luxurious compositions.

Regardless of the type of tree, when planning and arranging a flower garden, you will need to take into account some more features of such a design project. Flower plants are selected only shade-tolerant and resistant to uneven moisture. These plants include all types of hosta, most ground covers, dwarf conifers, some perennials (bergenia, periwinkle, Volzhanka, lily of the valley, saxifrage, lungwort, snowdrop, ferns, foxglove, violet, raven, slipper, Goryanka, anemone) and bulbous.

As a rule, flowering of shade-loving plants occurs in early spring, when the crown still lets in enough sunlight. Although the main decoration of the shady flower bed is decorative foliage.

Before planting flowers around a tree, you need to properly prepare the place. First, the top layer of soil is removed. This is done very carefully so as not to damage the root system of the tree. In some cases, planting is carried out in "pockets" between thick root branches. The bottom of the dug hole should be lined with non-woven material to protect the root system and restrain its growth.

Next, be sure to lay out a drainage layer of pebbles, broken bricks or crushed stone 10 cm thick. The removed soil is replaced with a nutrient mixture of compost, soddy soil and peat with complex mineral fertilizers. In the presence of rhizomes of weeds, it is recommended to carefully select them. Seedlings are planted in moist soil. Free areas are mulched with sawdust or wood chips. Complex flower beds of plants with different habits are made according to the principle: the higher, the closer to the trunk.

The shape of the flower bed can be either round or asymmetrical. So that the soil does not spill out and does not wash out during irrigation, the border of the flower garden must be marked using decorative stones or a border made of wood or plastic. The arrangement of flowers in a flower bed does not have to follow any scheme; chaotic compositions look interesting and natural.

DIY raised flower bed under a tree

When creating a flower bed under unfavorable trees, difficulties can arise due to the many roots penetrating the top layer of soil in the near-stem circle. Perennials with deep-penetrating roots cannot be used for the composition; it is much more profitable to plant annuals (ageratum, begonia, amaranth, annual asters, succession, carnation, gazania, lobelia, verbena).

To increase the space for the growth of the roots of flower crops, you can design a raised or multi-tiered flower bed in the area under the tree. For the manufacture of the side of an asymmetric flower bed, you can use wooden slats and plastic bottles, and for a round one, bricks, old tires and a plastic border are suitable. It is easy and quick to make a square wooden box from planks. It is important that the height of the soil covering the tree trunk does not exceed 10 cm. If the root collar is somewhat raised above the soil level, then the soil can be covered even higher.

You can make a flower bed of logs in an original and low-cost way. To do this, thick branches or the trunk of an old tree are sawn into cylinders 20–30 cm long, which, in turn, are split into halves. In construction stores you can buy ready-made borders. Harvested logs are treated with an antiseptic and dried.

Then the geotextile tape is cut off, to which the logs are attached with staples or nails. Geotextiles will protect the tree from moisture and extend the life of the curb. At the next stage, the finished border is buried in the soil around the tree and fixed with steel rods. After laying out the non-woven material, draining and backfilling the soil, the flower bed is ready for planting.

Resting place under the tree: bench and table

The trunk circle zone can be not only beautiful, but also useful. A round, hexagonal or square bench around a tree trunk and a table will successfully complement a well-groomed garden without requiring a separate place. The bench and table can have a different design, differing in style and complexity of execution.

Most often, garden furniture is arranged under birch, chestnut, walnut and willow. The main rule: buildings should not fit snugly against the trunk, be sure to leave room for growth. Wood is more acceptable as a material, but metal and stone are also used.

Of the breeds, it is preferable to choose larch - the record holder for durability and resistance to external influences. Less expensive options: pine, acacia, spruce and cherry.

The most common garden bench design is hexagonal, backless or high backed.

To make a simple bench with your own hands, you will need to do the following work:

preparation of the material (wide boards for the seat, 12 bars about half a meter long for the legs, 6 planks for the back, small blanks for joining and self-tapping screws);
section size determination (largest side = trunk diameter + 15 cm, smallest inner side = longest side length / 1.75);
cutting the parts that make up each of the 6 sections, while the cut angle should be 30º;
processing of all parts and places of cuts with an antiseptic, followed by drying;
assembly of sections, consisting in fixing the seat slats to meter-long transverse boards;
assembling the legs, which consists in fixing the outer and inner legs to a common wide bar using self-tapping screws, as a result, 6 prefabricated elements should be obtained;
fastening adjacent sections to the legs, in this case two parts of 3 sections each should be obtained;
fastening parts around a tree;
installation of back parts;
the finished structure is coated with a wax-containing impregnation.

A table around a tree of the simplest design consists of a metal frame with bars fixed around the trunk, and a tabletop consisting of several sections. The connection of the frame and the tabletop is carried out by means of wooden planks.

How to arrange a gazebo around a tree?

If the creation of a flower bed and a bench seems too simple and unoriginal, you can think about building something larger, for example, a gazebo or a cozy seating area.

A plot under a tree can be a great place for an outdoor garden gazebo. At the same time, the crown of the tree will serve as a natural canopy from the scorching sun, and if the shade does not seem enough, then you can plant actinidia - a fruit-bearing vine weaving along the branches with large leaves that protect from the sun and light summer rain.

A garden gazebo around a tree serves as a comfortable place not only for outdoor activities and communication, but can also be a great corner for sleeping and reading. Its design can be very different, the design depends on the overall style of the garden. A simplified solution is a small wooden deck podium.

If you add a low fence to the raised flooring, you get a fairly simple open gazebo.

For those who want to create more monumental structures and, so to speak, rise above the ground, buildings on high wooden racks can be advised. They look quite impressive, and allow you to enjoy the picturesque view of the site.

All considered design ideas for decorating a site in the area of the near-trunk circle can be actively applied to any garden plot, adding new details and modifying the proposed appearance of the building. In addition to the options presented, the area around the tree can be decorated with pebbles, sown with grass or mulched with wood chips. In some design styles, this minimalism is the best choice.

Many owners of suburban areas dream of having a garden surrounded by greenery and fragrant flowers. But for the successful implementation of the idea and the creation of a picturesque artistic image, every centimeter of the earth has to be used. As the practice of experienced gardeners shows, lush and elegant flower beds can be equipped not only in open areas, but also near-trunk circles of trees can also be used for these purposes.

It is rare to find a summer cottage or a suburban area where fruit trees would not grow. But these plants with spreading crowns and well-branched root systems take up a lot of space on the site. How to rationally use the near-trunk area under the trees to make the garden more elegant and attractive, but at the same time not harm the plants?

Flowerbeds and plant compositions are best broken under mature trees. After all, fragile young seedlings in the garden are more vulnerable

Young seedlings need careful care. Their trunk circles must be left open, as they are needed for fertilization and watering. The opinion that the roots of trees grow, going straight down into the ground, is erroneous. Some of them are located in the upper layers of the soil, deepening only 40-50 cm. This moment should be taken into account when choosing a place for a flower bed so that the roots of neighboring plants do not harm each other in the struggle for life-giving moisture and nutrients.

For example: birch, walnut and horse chestnut have a powerful surface root system. Any plants in the near-trunk circles of these trees feel uncomfortable. But the apple tree, hawthorn and mountain ash have a tap root system. They are happy to let ferns, ornamental grasses and flowers under their crown, allowing them to turn bare trunk circles into picturesque flower beds.

Although spectacular perennials that can transform any corner of the garden are not entirely advisable to plant under the crowns of trees, among the variety of magnificent plants you can always choose flowers that feel great in a little shading.

When creating flower beds around trees, you should follow the same principles as when arranging flower beds in an open area. The only difference is to carefully choose plants that will be comfortable in conditions of lack of moisture and light, as well as carefully (with minimal damage to the root system of the tree) till the soil before planting flowers.

What should be considered first?

When thinking over the place for arranging a flower garden, it is important to imagine how the plants planted under the tree will look like in a couple of years. When choosing flowers, one should take into account the characteristics of the soil composition on which they prefer to grow, their resistance to temperature changes, lack of moisture.

At the site of the arrangement of the future flower garden, with the help of a small spatula, we clean the soil from small roots penetrating the soil, debris and stones. The roots of the trees should not be touched. But it is necessary to determine their density in advance by digging with a shovel in several places of the future flower garden, going deep into the bayonet. If each time the shovel rests on an extensive network of roots, it is better to look for another place for a flower bed. A variant of digging the roots is possible, in which the "interfering" branches are moved apart to the sides, creating small "pockets" for planting flowers. If, when arranging a flower garden, partial pruning of the tree roots is indispensable, then when performing work, one should be guided by the principle that no more than 10 percent of the entire root system can be “chopped off”. After pruning the root, you will also have to shorten the crown of the tree, reducing it by the same amount.

The bottom of the dug holes, intended for arranging the planting pits of flower beds, is lined with non-woven material or a fine mesh. This will prevent the penetration and interlacing of the roots of plants and somewhat slow down their growth.

Drainage is an important point when arranging a flower garden. So that the water does not stagnate in the flower garden, we line the bottom of the "pockets" with a ten-centimeter "pillow" of gravel, pebbles or sand.

Empty spaces between the bushes of flowering plants can be decorated with sawdust, wood chips or shredded bark

We fill the prepared holes halfway with a fertile soil mixture, the third part of which is the earth dug out when creating the planting pits. We plant plants in the holes so that the root neck of each is 2-3 cm above ground level. We tamp the soil and water it.

If moisture-saturated soils prevail on the site, then when decorating a flower garden, preference should be given to moisture-loving plants

What plants to choose for compositions?

Most caris-flowering perennials prefer sunny, fertile areas. But placing a flower garden under a tree, such conditions are unrealistic to achieve. Even if the tree has a transparent sparse crown, only part of the sunlight will fall on the flowers planted under it.

Therefore, when choosing plants, preference should be given to shade-tolerant and shade-loving flowers. Dwarf varieties of conifers, bulbous and annuals are ideal for decorating a flower garden under a tree.

Material on choosing the best shade-loving perennials for the garden will also be useful:

Picky annuals and conifers in nature grow in forests and therefore are accustomed to constantly fighting for moisture and sunlight.

In conditions of partial shading, perennials such as hosta, lily of the valley, anemone, foxglove, ivy, and lysimachia will feel comfortable.

By decorating the trunk circle of a tree, two tasks can be solved at once: to achieve a decorative effect and protect fruit trees from the encroachments of harmful insects. Nasturtium is able to protect cherry and apple trees from apple sucker and blood aphids. Marigolds and chamomiles perfectly repel aphids and nematodes, and lilies of the valley protect stone fruit crops from fruit rot.

Since fruit trees predominate in household plots, the crowns of which create a rather dense shadow, planting early-flowering ornamental plants will be an excellent option for decorating near-stem circles.

In early spring, bare tree branches will not interfere with the penetration of light into the flower bed, allowing primroses to please the eye even before the leaves bloom on the crown.

Ready-made schemes for arranging flower beds

There are many options for creating spectacular plant compositions on the near-stem circle. These can be multi-level round flower beds, the outer edge of which is decorated with undersized plants, and the inner space is filled with taller flowers.

When decorating near-stem circles of trees placed along a building or fence, which are visible only from one side, semicircular and asymmetric flower beds are more suitable.

Flower arrangements look interesting, decorated in the form of impromptu slopes equipped with retaining walls around tree trunks.

When arranging multi-tiered compositions, it should be borne in mind that the near-trunk circle of fruit trees can be covered to a height of no more than 10-12 cm. Backfilling the root neck of a tree with soil can lead to rotting of the trunk.

Option #1 - spring kaleidoscope

To arrange such a flower garden in the fall, the near-trunk area around the tree should be cleaned of small stones and weed roots. You can enrich the soil by applying compost and organic fertilizers.

A colorful composition of flowers that bloom one after another in early spring will fill the area that is just waking up from hibernation with bright colors.

The bulbous ones look spectacular in small groups: they sparkle in the sun's rays like scatterings of multi-colored kaleidoscope glass. Daffodils, crocuses and in groups, placing them at a distance of 15-20 cm from each other. In the foreground of the flower garden, small corydalis tubers are planted - a herbaceous plant that got its name from the bizarre shape of the flower. The empty places between the bulbous meadows are filled with bushes creeping along the ground periwinkle.

To protect the bulbs from frost and provide them with conditions for growth and full flowering in early spring, it is better to cover them with spruce branches or foliage before the cold snap.

Option #2 - Primrose Contrast

It is not at all necessary to give the flower garden an even round shape. Decorative tiles will serve as a worthy frame for contrasting flowering meadows, with the help of which the flower garden can be given any shape.

A colorful spring composition that successfully combines miniature scillas of pale blue hues and spectacular irises of rich yellow flowers will bring a bright contrast to the site.

Narcissus bulbs and blueberries are also planted in autumn, placed in small groups around the tree trunk. After the flowering of daffodils, pretty herbaceous “bushes” remain in their place, collected from elongated smooth leaves, which remain decorative until mid-summer.

Option #3 - solar paints

Early spring eratis, decorated with tiny golden yellow flowers, shows the greatest decorative effect only in the sun. Fortunately, in early spring, the crowns of trees do not give a thick shadow, allowing these unusually beautiful herbaceous plants to express themselves in all their glory.

The elegant composition of spring primroses is also based on color contrast, in which blue and purple crocuses stand out against the background of pale yellow spring flowers.

When arranging a flower garden, they first think over the pattern of the composition. Corms of crocuses are planted along the outlined contours, and the rhizomes of winter vernis are planted as a background. After the spring flowering of crocuses, wilted flowers are not removed, thereby allowing the plants to multiply with the help of seeds.

With the help of flowers, even empty places under a tree can be turned into picturesque and pleasant corners of the garden for relaxation. Spectacular flower arrangements framing near-trunk circles will decorate the garden with delicate colors and fill it with charm.

Apple trees are long-lived trees. Often they are kept in the garden as a good memory of the fathers and grandfathers who laid the garden. There is hardly a person who would not enjoy the contemplation of their brutal wrinkled trunks and magnificent winter crown graphics. If such trees are healthy, in no case do not remove them.

Floral arrangement of popular perennials

Photo: Eksmo Publishing House

Range

Panicled phlox (Phlox paniculata), grade ‘Rayonant’
host (Hosta), variety ‘Frisian Pride’
host (Hosta), variety ‘Bridal Falls’
day lily (Hemerocallis)
shoot sedum (Sedum stoloniferum)
tiarella, or heart-leaved tiarka (Tiarella cordifolia)
Chinese astilbe (Astilbe chinensis), ‘Visions’ variety
Chinese astilbe (Astilbe chinensis), variety ‘Visions in Pink’
Chinese astilbe (Astilbe chinensis), variety ‘Visions in Red’

Composition size 7×4.5 m

Photo: Eksmo Publishing House

The flower garden is located under the apple tree against the backdrop of the lawn. It has an irregular shape with clear boundaries and looks good from all sides: this is the so-called island flower bed. The apple tree itself does not serve as an element of the composition: it remains a little on the sidelines.

The tallest plants under the apple tree are clumps of panicled phlox, such as ‘Rayonant’, whose grayish-lilac flowers with a large carmine eye are collected in large dense inflorescences. It grows well in partial shade and blooms from the second half of July. Three daylily bushes with lavender-pink flowers are planted around the phloxes. The island flower garden is well suited for demonstrating collections, in this case it is varieties of Chinese astilba blooming in August from the relatively new series 'Visions' about 50 cm high. -green leaves. In front of the astilbes, a shoot-bearing sedum is planted - a rug that feels good in the shade, blooming from June to August with light pink star-shaped flowers. In the foreground, there is also heart-leaved tiarella, decorating the composition with curtains of dense beautiful greenery, over which a flower cloud soars in May - June. Another mini-collection of plants was planted in this mixborder, consisting of varietal hostas with golden and yellow-green leaves.

Astilba. Photo: From the personal archive / Alexander Kabanov

The peak of decorativeness of this composition is the second half of summer, when not only phloxes, but also astilbes, daylilies and hostas bloom, but it is also good at other times - large hosta leaves, elegant carved astilbe foliage, narrow daylily leaves contrasting with each other in color are beautiful , shape and texture. In spring, you can admire the lush flowering of the old apple tree. To enhance the “sound” of the spring picture, you can plant crocuses under the hosts, and daffodils in empty places between other perennials: the overgrown plants will then cover their yellowed “tops”. And in September, astilba still continues to bloom, the panicles of which are interesting even after flowering.

Day-lily. Photo: From the personal archive / Maria Yurasova

Growing features

Perhaps the only demanding plant in the composition is phlox. In order to get lush flowering, it must be properly fed. The first time this is done in the spring - nitrogen fertilizers during the period of intensive growth. In summer, you need to do at least two top dressings of phloxes: during budding and flowering, complex fertilizer with a large dose of potassium and phosphorus, and after flowering, complex fertilizer with an increased amount of phosphorus to prepare plants for winter. After flowering, faded “caps” of phloxes, flower stalks of hostas and daylilies should be cut off. In autumn, after the first frosts, the host leaves are removed, and on the threshold of winter, phloxes, astilbes and daylilies are cut.

Host. Photo: From the personal archive / Elena Kozhina

Composition in country style

Sometimes people who are tired of the busy city life want a rural idyll.

Photo: Eksmo Publishing House

Range

carnation (Dianthus hybrida), cultivar ‘Tiny Rubies’
aubrieta cultural (Aubrieta x cultorum)
astilba (Astilbe)
sweet pea (Lathyrus odoratus)
fragrant tobacco (Nicotiana alata)
low marigolds (Tagetes)
digitalis purple (Digitalis purpurea) variety ‘Excelsior Hybrid Mixed’
low snapdragon (Antirrhinum majus)
petunia (Petunia x hybrida)
delphinium (‘Delphinium x hybrida’)
floribunda group rose (Rosa floribunda)
seaside armeria (Armeria maritima)
lilies of the Asian hybrid group
host (Hosta), grade ‘Color Glory’
aquilegia (Aquilegia)
rose climbing (Rosa climbing), variety ‘Golden Gate’

Composition size 4.5×1.2 m

Photo: Eksmo Publishing House

A bright and cheerful flower garden in a rustic style is located under an adult apple tree. Fragrant sweet peas are planted in the near-trunk circle, which winds along cords tied to a tree. It blooms from July to September, and although it feels best in open places, it also tolerates a little shading. Likes in partial shade and digitalis with large white, pink, cream or purple flowers on tall peduncles. Many flower growers are fascinated by the delphinium blooming in July. So that its stems do not fall, they must be tied up. At some distance from the tree, a climbing rose with yellow flowers is planted on a support, and under it are rose bushes of the floribunda garden group. In the village flower garden there is sure to be a place for lilies: after flowering, they are covered by a large hosta. The composition is decorative from spring to autumn. In May, obrieta and seaside armeria bloom. Since June, aquilegia, foxglove, delphiniums, hybrid carnations and roses have taken over, continuing to bloom until frost. Asiatic lilies and astilbes bloom in July.

Aquilegia. Photo: From the personal archive / Alexander Kabanov

Growing features

At the end of May, seedlings of annuals are acquired and planted according to the scheme with a distance between plants of about 20 cm. At the same time, sweet pea seeds soaked for a day are sown in open ground in a permanent place. Aquilegia is a minor, and so that it does not disappear, it also needs to be periodically sown.

After flowering, the shaving should be cut off, then the bushes will be compact and the plant will bloom again in the fall. Sweet peas need to be fed two or three times a season with liquid organic fertilizers; in hot, dry weather, they need watering. Roses need to be fed several times a season. They should be carefully monitored, taking measures at the first sign of the appearance of pests and diseases. It is also important to feed and tie up the delphiniums.

In September, the climbing rose is removed from the support and laid on the ground, spreading spruce branches. After the first frost, annuals are sent to compost, and perennials are cut. On the threshold of winter, all roses cover, shaving and carnations are covered with a dry leaf.