FOR SCENT – Figs (such as Ficus carica ‘Brown Turkey’) are made for sun-drenched walls. Their architectural leaves shield the interior from summer heat and fill the air with a wonderful aroma. At Sissinghurst, the wall figs’ stems are coiled and tied in to resemble a carpet beater, so that – when the plant is leafless in winter – it has a stark beauty. Another excellent wall shrub for scent is the pineapple broom (Argyrocytisus battandieri), which has deciduous silver leaves and big yellow flowerheads that smell deliciously of pineapple.
FOR LOW WALLS – If you have top-heavy climbers on a façade, shorter wall shrubs that reach 1 to 1.5 metres are the perfect gap fillers. The flowering quince Chaenomeles x superba ‘Pink Lady’ and almond-scented Abeliophyllum distichum are deciduous, whilst Euonymus fortunei is a foliage evergreen.
What is the best plant for a porch?
Two of the best plants to drape over a porch are winter jasmine (Jasminum nudiflorum), which doesn’t smell, but has vivid yellow flowers during the cruelest months, and the fabulous thornless rambling rose ‘Veilchenblau’, which will grow on any aspect and has bee-friendly purple flowers that smell of citrus.
How close to a house should you plant a tree?
Choose a tree that is a suitable size for your garden and plant it a decent distance from the building (this is only a major concern if your house is old or if you’re on clay soil). The distance required will depend on the eventual size of the tree; three-quarters of the height should do – so, if a tree can scale 8 metres, it should be 6 metres away; the roots will spread much further than the tree’s height, but they will mostly be deep. Avoid planting trees with very shallow roots, such as cherries and acers, close to driveways.
The beautiful magnolia and cherry trees in this London garden remain the centrepiece in an artful new design by Sheila Jack.
alister thorpe
Trees to grow in the front garden
A deciduous tree in a front garden or adjacent to the sunny side of the house will help to preserve the interior cool of the home in summer, yet let light flood through the windows during winter. The tree will keep you company for decades, so choose something with character that has all the qualities you seek. For instance, if you love wildlife, a rowan (such as ‘Pink Pagoda’), thorn, or crab apple offers blossom for bees and berries for birds, as well as fiery autumn leaves. For interest during the bleak winter months, twisted hazels (such as Corylus avellana ‘Contorta’) have curly branches and birches offer beautiful silver, pink, or white bark. To shield a north or east-facing building from the winter cold, opt for an evergreen, such as the excellent wildlife-friendly Cotoneaster cornubia. If you live in a low-rainfall or high-rainfall area, select a tree that is robust in drought or flooding.
Can a tree cool a house?
Yes, significantly. A tree with a spreading crown will even, eventually, help to keep the heat off a south-facing roof, in turn dramatically reducing the temperature of the interior; however, ensure that solar panels are not covered. If you intend to coat a south or west-facing building with climbers, but also plan to grow a heat barrier of trees, opt for climbing plants that are happy in sun or semi-shade (such as the shade-tolerant roses ‘Madame Alfred Carrière’, The Generous Gardener, Claire Austin, or Wollerton Old Hall), since the light level will gradually change.
What are the benefits of a green roof?
A green roof is another fantastic way to cool a home in summer and keep it warm in winter.