Plants, books, events & buys for the month ahead
Patio project
Sometimes the smallest seating areas are the most effective. Just being able to squeeze a comfy seat (and maybe a small table) into a relaxing area can create a feeling of being immersed in the colours, flowers and scents around you. This month there are so many tall, stately and richly colourful perennials starting to really fill out the garden. Hiding away and getting lost among the planting is perhaps never more tempting than in August, especially with a refreshing drink and a good book.
GET THE LOOK
Ensure the flowers keep coming and your garden doesn’t get out of control!
HOG HIGHWAYS
A nationwide campaign to create ‘hedgehog highways’ in garden fences needs your help! Hedgehog Street, a campaign set up by the People’s Trust for Endangered Species and The British Hedgehog Preservation Society, aims to give hedgehogs better access to more green spaces, and it all starts with a garden fence.
To do their bit, gardeners are being asked to write to local and national fencing companies using a templated letter provided by Hedgehog Street, asking them to include hedgehog-friendly fencing in their product ranges. Placing a hedgehog highway at the base of a fencing panel or gravel board gives hedgehogs much needed access to neighbouring gardens.
Grace Johnson, from Hedgehog Street, explains that: “Making a hedgehog highway is an incredibly simple yet effective solution, especially if manufacturers and suppliers offered ready-made products as standard.”
Manufacturers including Jacksons Fencing and Birkdale offer hedgehog friendly options and builder’s merchant Selco has introduced their Supreme Pro Hedgehog Hole Gravel Boards this year.
To join in, visit hedgehogstreet.org/hedgehog-friendly-fencing.
Wish list
