Plants in Focus 

Drought Tolerant Plants

Choosing plants with a degree of drought tolerance is becoming increasingly important, especially as climate change presents gardeners with the challenge of gardening with less water. We offer a wide range of plants that are resistant to drought, tolerating dry soils and low levels of rainfall, especially after they've become established. Plants with light leaf colours such as grey-green or silvery foliage tend to be most drought tolerant. Those with fine hairs on the stems and foliage also tend to fare better when the conditions are dry, as they have been this spring. Some of the best plants to use where regular irrigation is challenging are Euphorbia, Sedum, box plants and Ceanothus.

Growing drought tolerant plants can help you do your bit for the environment by reducing water use. On hot summer days, around two-thirds of domestic water use goes on the garden, which can be hard for water reservoirs to sustain. In the extreme, water companies sometimes ask gardeners to reduce water use, which can lead to a difficult choice if our gardens have been planted up with varieties with little or no drought tolerance.

Suitable conditioning of the soil can be as important as the choice of plants themselves. Most plants will thank you for incorporating plenty of well-rotted garden compost or organic matter into the planting hole, which acts like a sponge, retaining moisture below ground through periods of low rainfall, rather than allowing it to percolate away. A regular mulch of bark chippings or similar (taking into consideration the acidic preference of your plants) also helps suppress weeds, preventing them for competing for moisture with your precious plants.

Wildlife Attracting Plants

Creating a haven for wildlife in your garden has never been more important, especially given the decline in populations of many British wildlife species such as hedgehogs, bats and bees. Growing wildlife-friendly plants in your garden provides the opportunity to watch native wildlife up close at your leisure, while also helping to keep many unwanted pests at away.

For butterflies, plant large groups of nectar-rich varieties which flower at the same time; red, orange, purple, pink and yellow flowers with short flower tubes or flat tops are best. Bees love plants with striking colours and fragrances, elaborately shaped petals and ample nectar, preferably with different flowers close together. Anemone and Chives plants are both good choices.

Native hedging such as holly plants provide essential cover and corridors that join up green spaces for small mammals, whilst night-scented plants such as Buddleia are great for moths, which in turn are a feast for bats. Bird tables or bird boxes, positioned near to prickly bushes to deter unwanted predators and away from places where cats can get to easily, are the best way to attract birds. Dense evergreen trees, conifers, clematis and honeysuckle climbers also offer shelter for nesting.

5% off Mature Trees (on already low prices)

We have a wide range of very large, mature trees, perfect for creating an instant impact in large gardens, parks and other outdoor spaces. Established trees can immediately transform your space, providing privacy from neighbours or simply to create a standout feature in larger gardens, bringing fabulous autumnal colour, architectural silhouettes and seasonal interest. Established for over 60 years, we are a reputable supplier, regularly supplying landscapers, garden designers, civil engineers, landscape architects, amenity project developers, developers and builders buying in volume.

For all trees in this section, shipping cost depends on delivery address (number of miles from our site in North Staffordshire, ST9 9LE). Please contact us for a delivery quote by emailing sales@jacksonsnurseries.co.uk with your address and the trees you are interested in.