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Herbal: contains chives, kitchen bay, curry plant, thyme, marjoram and Greek oregano

Modern: contains lavender in galvanised metal pots with pink glass eggs

Boxing Clever

NO garden? Utilise your Window ledge. Words: Louisa Pearson

ver skipped through the botanic gardens. wishing and dreaming you could take a little bit of them home? Well

So you‘ve got your box. but what are you going to plant in it‘.’ One of the most popular options is to go for herbs: not only

that would be strictly against the country code and as you probably live in a flat. utterly pointless. But wait. Surely there must be a way to bring a little summer colour into your life. A chance to leam to nurture and grow before you move out into the suburbs and start paying real attention to Alan Titchmarsh. Thankfully. there is a middle way. in the form of the humble window box.

Gardening is not one of The Lisr‘s specialist subjects. so we enlisted the help of Shan Beveridge. designer. florist and founder of Spiral Flowers. A gardening veteran who has done everything from weddings to launches for Yves Saint Laurent and the Scotsman Hotel. she knows what she‘s talking about. ‘For a trendy look. keep it simple.‘ says Beveridge. ‘If you see

something you like at the garden centre or florists. btty four of

the same plants. This is easier to maintain and in terms of impact

do they smell great. they‘ll save you money as you‘ll never again need to btty them in plastic packs from the supermarket. Rosemary. thyme. sage and bay grow all year round. mint. marjoram and oregano will bloom in spring and die off in winter. and tender souls like coriander and basil need to live indoors to flourish.

If you‘re looking for something really easy to care for. Beveridge recommends lavender. 'For scented window boxes opt for lavender: it flowers May to September and is lovely in summer when you open your windows.‘

Romantic types might like pansies and primulas which flower in spring. while heathers and ornamental cabbages are ideal for a splash of autumn colour. If you want something that‘ll last all year choose evergreens like ivy or dwarf conifers.

You needn’t worry about fisticuffs over a window box

will look better than lots ofdifferent types of plants.‘

But aren‘t window boxes a danger for those of us who live above the first floor‘.’ A gust of high wind and they‘re off with Dorothy to ()z. surely“? 'Garden retailers have all kinds of

Garden hedges have been in the news recently for setting neighbours to war as they grow to outlandish heights. But you needn‘t worry about fisticuff‘s over a window box

brackets you can buy and also window box kits.‘ she says. ‘Safety is important and also remember consideration for those below when watering.‘

Rgmantic: contains marguerites with ivy ‘. i '

topiary. ‘A row of boxwood hedging plants looks fab in a galvanised metal window box.‘ says Beveridge. ‘lt can be quite calming trimming them into shape after a hectic day.‘ Above all. Beveridge recommends enlisting the help of your local garden centre or florist. They‘re valuable sources of advice and guidance. especially for novices. While programmes such as Home Front might have I“ you thinking that gardening‘s all about concrete sculptures and water features. there's no need to be intimidated. As Beveridge says. ‘it can be as complicated or as simple as you make it.‘

topiary

Spiral Flowers, www.spiralflowers. co.uk, 0131 228 5521, email shan@spiralflowers.co.uk

(3—20 Jun 2002 THE LIST 1 1 1