If a British garden is a structured tea party and a French garden is a formal ballroom, a Finnish garden is a quiet walk in the woods. In Finland, the garden doesn’t shut nature out, it invites it in. In a Nordic garden the goal isn't just to survive the winter; it’s to celebrate the dramatic shift in light and life throughout the year. This month we bring you a handy guide to creating a Finnish style garden, one that embraces nature rather than trying to tame it (link in bio). https://www.thebigplantnursery.com/blog/a-nordic-spring-awakening/ #nordicgardendesign #nordicdesign #plants #plantguide

Spring flowering shrubs are the “heavy lifters” of the garden. They provide the first major burst of colour after winter, often blooming before perennials have even emerged from the soil. They also offer year-round structure that softer flowers cannot. Why are shrubs good for the garden? Early support for pollinators: After hibernating, bees and butterflies emerge hungry. Flowering shrubs can provide a massive, high-density food source of nectar and pollen when little else is available. Structural backbone: Unlike perennials that die back in winter, shrubs provide permanent “bones” to your garden. Many spring bloomers are also evergreen, meaning they keep their leaves all year. Privacy and screening: Because they grow larger than most flowers, they are excellent for creating living fences or blocking an unsightly view. Sensory appeal: Many spring flowering shrubs have a wonderful fragrance such as Choisya × dewitteana White Dazzler (Mexican orange blossom) or Daphne. https://www.thebigplantnursery.com/advice-and-ideas/plants-for-a-purpose/spring-flowering-shrubs/

It might seem counterintuitive to spend money upfront on a designer when you're trying to save. However, DIY landscaping often turns into a “pay twice” scenario. Here is how professional expertise keeps your budget and your plants on track (photos are a before and after of a recent project we worked on to transform a dreary new build garden). Whether you’re interested in fast-growing solutions for quick impact, seeking the enduring beauty of evergreen plants or looking to add colour and fragrance, we can offer expert advice. Give us a call on 0118 934 1757 to start your journey. https://www.thebigplantnursery.com/blog/why-a-garden-designer-is-an-investment-not-an-expense/ #beforeandafter #garden #plantdesign

Where do we source our big plants from? Many of our plants come from growers in The Netherlands and Italy. We visited a grower in Amsterdam just last month to hand select new stock of individual plants for you. We have a long standing relationship with our growers based on trust and quality and visiting them in person allows us to ensure that the highest quality is maintained. #plants #plantnursery #growers #planting #gardens #gardendesign #dutchplants