Biodiversity
A biodiverse garden takes more than flowers
A biodiverse garden takes more than flowers. It also depends on shelter, water, living soil, breeding sites and continuity between habitats.
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Diaplant · Blog
What we know about trees.
159 articles written by the people who grow, plant and maintain mature trees — from choosing the species to the works and maintenance. Filter by topic or by type of content.
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1–24 of 159 articles · page 1 of 7
Showing articles 1 to 24 of 159. Page 1 of 7.
Selection packBiodiversity
A woodland selection: 7 species to create layers and continuity
Creating a woodland is not a matter of setting out individual trees at regular intervals. It means building canopy, intermediate species, edge, evergreen cover…
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Access, crane and unloading: what to check before planting
Gates, paving, crane reach and the overhead path all limit the size of the tree. See what should be measured before you reserve.
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Species sheetSelecting species and forms·4 min
Acer rubrum ‘October Glory’: size, soil and autumn colour
Acer rubrum ‘October Glory’ is a large tree with intense autumn colour. Find out what soil, water and space it needs.
ReadSpecies sheet4 min
Amelanchier lamarckii: flower, fruit and autumn colour
Amelanchier lamarckii combines white flower, fruit and autumn colour in a small tree with a light crown.
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Soil, water and maintenance·5 min
Annual care calendar for trees, shrubs and perennials
A calendar organises planting, watering, pruning and weeding through the year. It should be adapted to the region, the climate and the condition of the plants.
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Seasonality and phenology
Autumn beyond leaf colour: fruit, texture and extending the garden
Autumn is more than the leaves changing colour. Fruit, seed, bark, branches, evergreens and the very transparency of the crowns can extend the garden’s…
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Selection packSeasonality and phenology
Autumn wonders: 7 trees for colour, duration and scale
Autumn trees should not be compared only by the most intense colour in a photograph.
ReadBasic care when planting trees
Adopting appropriate planting methods is vital to ensure the health and longevity of trees, from choosing the ideal time to plant onwards.
ReadBasic concepts of garden maintenance
This article explores some of the basic concepts that should guide the garden supervisor in the practical decisions to be made, to ensure the sustainability,…
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Species sheetSelecting species and forms·4 min
Betula utilis subsp. jacquemontii: white bark, conditions and use
The Himalayan birch stands out for its white bark, but it needs moist soil and regular watering. Find out the conditions it needs and the ways it can be used.
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Selection packBiodiversity
Biodiverse hedge pack: modules for protection, flower, fruit and shelter
A biodiverse hedge can give protection from views and wind while offering flower, fruit and shelter. To work, it needs compatible modules, width and pruning.
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Biodiversity
Biodiversity hedges: why a mix can be worth more than a single-species barrier
A biodiverse hedge combines species and structures to deliver protection, flower, fruit and shelter at different times.
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Seasonality and phenology
Bringing spring forward: trees and shrubs that open the garden calendar early
Bringing spring forward means including trees and shrubs that flower in late winter or at the start of the season, rather than relying only on the best-known…
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Urban tree planting and climate·4 min
Canopy cover and thermal comfort: what a tree can really do
Trees reduce exposure to heat mainly through shade and evapotranspiration. The benefit a person feels depends on the position of the crown.
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Clay soil and compaction: what changes at planting
Clay can be fertile, but compaction and waterlogging restrict the roots. Find out how to prepare the ground without creating an isolated planting hole.
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Complete planting: from the tree to the ground cover
A complete planting combines layers. Trees give structure, shrubs build mass, and perennials and ground cover occupy the lower layer.
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Seasonality and phenology
Continuity of resources for pollinators: how to avoid months without food
Avoiding months without food for pollinators takes a sequence of accessible flowers, with nectar and pollen, spread through the year.
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Species sheetSelecting species and forms·4 min
Cornus kousa: bracts, fruit and use in the garden
Cornus kousa offers pale bracts, fruit and autumn colour. Find out which soil, aspect and space suit this small tree.
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Natives, cultivars and climate
Cultivars and biodiversity: the same species can offer very different resources
Cultivars of the same species can differ in flower form, fertility, fruit and value to pollinators. The species name is not enough to compare them.
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Seasonality and phenology
Designing a garden for twelve months, not just for spring
Designing for twelve months means spreading interest, structure and resources through the year, instead of concentrating the selection on spring flowering.
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Drainage at planting: when the problem lies beneath the tree
A planting hole can hold water even when the surface looks dry. Find out how to diagnose drainage and avoid gravel or pipes with no outlet.
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Natives, cultivars and climate
Drought-tolerant does not mean doing without watering
A drought-tolerant plant may need watering during establishment and may lose ornamental performance when water is very limited.
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Selection packSoil, water and maintenance
Dry soils: 7 trees for low-water projects after establishment
Trees for dry soils should be selected for low watering after establishment, not for abandonment.
ReadLooking for a short answer?
100 frequently asked questions on selection, planting, transport, soil and maintenance, answered in a few lines.