Beginner Gardener

hello, beginner gardener

Here you will find everything you need to kickstart your gardening journey, as we know that getting started can often be the hardest part. From our carefully curated range of fuss-free plants to the best tools for the job, we've curated this range, with you in mind.

You will also find helpful gardening advice pages, packed full of my top tips to give you the confidence to start your growing journey and plenty of inspiration too. There's never been a better time to surround yourself with beautiful, healthy plants

the best of the best

We've taken the hassle out of the selection process, bringing together the very best plants and bulbs that every beginner gardener should grow and plant this autumn. Our beginner edit for you is comprised of quick growing favourites to easy to care for varieties, so many of these are long and high performing, not overly fussy, and have good disease resistance

terrific tools & kit

This really is the key kit we cannot live without in the garden, and neither should you.

garden with confidence

this month

Cut back and tidy borders. Don’t worry about leaving some interest for yourself and wildlife in your garden

Fill up those bird feeders. When it comes to slug prevention, garden birds are your friends

Think about your soil. Add a layer of mulch (compost/mushroom compost/manure) to your beds for growing success next year

Make sure you bring anything in that may be damaged by the frost. We call these tender plants

it's rose planting time

You’re roses will thank you for being planted soon, and you’ll be rewarded next June. What’s stopping you?

it pays to plan ahead

We don’t want you to miss the bulb boat this year. Now is the time to start planning for a showstopping spring garden.

September and October

Plant daffodils, hyacinths and alliums

Late October to early December

This is the best time to plant your tulips, when the temperatures drop

Top tip

Plant bulbs deep. As a general rule of thumb, plant at least twice the depth of the bulb.

herbs and veg for winter picking

Because salads and bountiful harvests aren't just for summer. Some of the most delicious produce is for growing over winter.

autumn planting

Plants to get in the ground in autumn. You'll be rewarded for your planning ahead with early flowers and colour in spring just when you need it the most.

what's a biennial?

Some of our top performing, favourite biennials are in the late summer planting category to the left.

They grow foliage in their first year, to flower the following year. Here we've done all the work for you.

Order your biennials to be planted in autumn. They will spend the winter establishing nice strong roots and reward you with early flowers that bring colour forward, and help with that tricky period in May when the bulbs are over and the rest of the garden is yet to get going.

We wouldn't be without these at Perch Hill, and neither should you!

small and mighty spring pots

Plant in autumn for a moveable feast in spring. Light enough to move around so you can appreciate them when they are looking their best.

border transformers

Give your borders, and whopper pots some oomph. Wow with carefully curated collections, selected for their extended flowering time, as well as our knockout individual varieties

key planting times

not to be missed!

Roses

Roses are best planted from late Autumn to early Spring, ideally during a mild spell.

Shrubs and climbers

Although our container-grown shrubs and climbers can be planted at any time of year, autumn is our ideal time to get them in the ground. Avoid frozen, waterlogged, or extremely dried out soil and your plants will be happy in the ground.

Spring is undoubtedly one of the busiest times in the garden so get ahead of the game this autumn.

For more details and planting instructions, follow this link

your sunny
garden structure

Structure is key in any garden and gives you something to work around. You'll want shrubs, climbers, evergreen and reliable plants that come back year after year (perennials). Create structure and framework in your garden this autumn

your shady
garden structure

Shady, north facing garden? No problem. Find here a mix of structure giving shrubs, climbers, perennials (return every year) and evergreens that thrive in shady gardens. These will be the backbone of your garden.

understanding your garden

Before you start, read our quick guide to understand how much sun your garden gets and your garden's soil type, so you can decide what you would like to grow and where

order just arrived, what to do now?

Want to know exactly what to do when you receive your plant delivery? Discover more here...

what's what?
a guide to our plants

Want to know your perennials from your biennials? Here, we explain what to look for in our product descriptions so you can navigate through any tricky terminology

looking for more specific advice?

Explore our article library here

growing tips for gardening success

Getting the best from your plants couldn't be easier. Learn Sarah's top tips for watering, feeding, and caring for your plants once they're in the ground or container.