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23 November 2009
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how to be a gardener - The complete online guide

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Lifestyle
Gardening
Part One
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Planting schemes and themes

Planting styles

Combining plants

Shapes and textures

Colours

Do your research

Test your knowledge

Go further

Plant lists

Interactives

Glossary

Credits

Programme information

Help with plugins

Gardening newsletter

Site map

home

Module 1

Module 2

Module 3

Module 4

Module 5

Module 6

Module 7

Module 8

3 - Combining plants

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Combining plants
You can really tell a well-designed bed or border. And when they are the result of ‘garden centre gardening’ - buying what looks good now and slinging it in any old how.
Planning
For best results, plan before you prepare before you plant:

• Mark out the proposed outline of a new bed/border with a hose (or rope)
  
• Look at it from all areas of the garden, and from inside the house
  
• When you are happy, plan the planting

Colour combinations
Find out which colours work well together with our fun colour wheel Flash feature. You can apply these principles to your own colour scheme choices.

Watch clip
Watch clips on planning new borders and planting styles .

Plant list
Find a list of suggested plant types for any style of garden here .

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3. Planting schemes and themes

Introduction
Planting styles
Combining plants
  Shapes and textures
  Colours
Do your research
Test your knowledge
Go further

Highlights

Video

Video

The supreme challenge of planting is getting the right style. Find out more here.

• Planting styles
• Planning new borders

Interactive

Interactive
Experiment with the colour wheel feature , or take a fun attribute quiz to see what style of garden may suit you.
(External) Requires Flash 5

Useful links

• Create a virtual garden
• Techniques in the garden
• Plant profiles
• Design projects
• Plant database