Renovating An Existing Garden Bed

How to plant out around existing plants
Often existing garden beds can require a renovation or a restyling of the planting. Over time plants may become tired looking or they have died for various reasons or you may just decide you don’t like some of the planting and want to replace them.  Planting out around existing trees, shrubs and groundcovers is usually more difficult than when you are starting out with a blank canvas. Here are some elements to consider when it comes to planting out around existing trees and shrubs.

-Where are and what is the extent of the existing root systems.  Over time the existing plants root will have grown (hopefully) significantly. You will need to be careful of where you are planting new plants.  Any holes dug close to existing plants may mean you damage existing roots system which will stress existing plants. Also planting within root zones of trees will mean the roots of the new plants have to compete with existing roots.  This may prove to be a challenge whilst the new plants are becoming established.  

– How big will the existing plants grow to in spread and height. Imagining the mature size all plants will grow to is a good way of working out spacing around existing plants.  You don’t want new plants to outgrow existing and then block out existing plants 

– What are the care requirements of the existing plants.  Selecting plants to grow together means they will all require to have similar watering, soil and fertilizing needs for them to survive. 

– What style of plants are they – will new plants tone in with existing plants.  This is really a matter of opinion however I do try to group similar style plants together.  For example, I don’t particularly like grouping any form of cactus plants with flowering shrubs like gardenias.  They both have their own unique look and style however in my opinion they don’t really work well together.  They also both have different care and condition requirements

– How will the sun/ shade patterns change as the existing plants continue to grow.  As plants become more establish they will be taller, wider and denser this will mean the level of light to every area will be ever changing.  Ideally any new plants will need to be able to merge their growth in to complement the existing plants rather than outgrow and overshadow the existing plants.  

– What are their watering requirements – all plants in the one garden bed should have similar watering requirements.  This really is the main consideration as without watering plants won’t grow.  If the amount of water each plant requires is vastly different it will make for a very high level of maintenance and really will not be a successful bed. If I refer back to my example above of planting any form of cactus with gardenias.  Gardenias, will require regular watering especially in the summer months whereas a cactus will most likely require none at all.

If your garden is looking a bit stagnant and tired, then a garden renewal may be needed.  By taking into consideration the above factors your garden renovation will be a success.