Gardening has a special place in the Corona crisis, because many people use the newly gained time to bring their gardens up to scratch. But for beginners, there are a few things to consider when it comes to plants. Dr. Markus Phlippen, a doctor of biology and a major contributor to the scientific, biological and horticultural standard of the online garden manager GARDIFY, has the most important tips for beginners ready in conversation with the news agency spot on news.
In the Corona crisis, many people have mutated into hobby gardeners. Which plants are good for beginners?
Dr. Markus Phlippen: There are many beginner plants. These include, for example, columbine, golden strawberry, philadelphus, steppe sage, day lilies, crab apples, catnip, maple, stork beaks, bluebells and lady's mantle. Of course, even a beginner plant needs sufficient light, water and should be in the right location.
The prerequisite is that you know how to plant a plant correctly – loosen the soil and mix it with fresh new soil, before planting, dip the bale in a bucket of water until there are no more air bubbles, the hole about twice as wide and deep as the bale insert, press on and pour well so that the earth is washed to the roots.
Which plants, on the other hand, require the hands of a professional?
Phlippen: From my own experience I can say that gardeners who enjoy experimenting have the greatest success and the most fun in the garden hobby. That means: Even as a beginner or amateur, you should calmly try something challenging. For example: a tree fern or hardy bananas in the outer bed or a bed with hardy orchids. The professional knowledge would be: How do I build winter protection? Which special fertilizer do I have to use? How should the floor be prepared? When do I have to stop watering and give the plants a rest?
You can actually compare the passion for gardening in every form with cooking: first try spaghetti and then come the 3-course menu. The transition from beginner to professional is – as so often in life – fluid.
Which decorative plants would you recommend for a feel-good garden?
Phlippen: There are people who need optical order and others who would rather let a controlled chaos grow around them. In both cases, plants should be allowed to show their character. In the sunny location, these are lush flower colors, in shady locations you tend to play with leaf colors and textures. Shadow bells and sparkles are very decorative for the shadow. In the sun area, day lilies, bearded iris, sun bride and rock roses cut an excellent figure.
Which plants are in trend this year?
Phlippen: The time when gardens consisted mainly of the three large R's (lawn, roses, rhododendrons) is changing. Plants are clearly in trend that are insect and bird friendly. I became aware of this from many customer conversations in the nursery. Ecological awareness has reached the center of society and retail has responded to it. At the same time, climate change is becoming an issue for our gardens. We are looking for plants that can withstand drought and heat: steppe sage and Mediterranean herbs (rosemary, thyme, lavender, etc.), rock pears and sweet chestnuts among the trees are absolutely on trend.
The topic of privacy protection plays an important role in well-being. Which plants can help here?
Phlippen: This is where the classic hedge plants come into play: yew, firethorn, beech, olive willow, but also evergreen privet. I would advise against thuja and false cypresses as they have not been able to cope with the drought of the past few years. But a hedge made of mixed flowering shrubs is also beautiful: lilac, hibiscus, pipe shrub, weigeli, dogwood, wild roses, hazelnut, forsythia.
A bright green lawn enhances every garden. What do you have to pay special attention to when it comes to care?
Phlippen: The view of a lush green has a calming effect. A beautiful piece of lawn is still one of the basic elements of a garden. However, grasses regularly need water and nutrients. An organic lawn fertilizer should be used in spring and summer and a special autumn fertilizer in autumn. The autumn fertilizer contains a lot of potassium, so that the plants get a better winter hardiness. Do not cut your lawn too deep, to a maximum of four to five centimeters. Due to our last three dry years, it is even advisable to stop cutting in summer. Even if a lawn turns brown, it will come back green as soon as the rain starts.
Of course, it depends on the priorities of the gardener whether he uses valuable water for the lawn or rather for the more sensitive bedding plants and trees. If you live in very dry regions, it is also possible to lay completely new drought-compatible wild herb turf as rolled turf. Here too, trade has already reacted to climate change.
What would you give garden beginners?
Phlippen: Try not to look at the garden as a job or a stressful challenge, but as a nice opportunity to get in touch with nature. Watch your little green realm – you will be amazed at how quickly the connections become clear and then comes the success. I took the sentence from my English garden friends: "Gardening is cheaper than therapy and you have tomatoes!" (in German: "Gardening is cheaper than therapy and you have tomatoes!").
About Dr. Markus Phlippen
Dr. Markus Phlippen is a doctor of biology, a well-known TV gardening expert (ARD guide "Haus + Garten") and co-developer of GARDIFY. The online garden manager offers both beginners and advanced users smart support for their own garden.