Topsoil may have been returned or added at some point, and even a lawn and borders created on top of that, but the underlying soil structure will be completely unnatural and probably not able to support life in the long term. What many new-build homeowners notice first is that their lawn starts to deteriorate after a few months of them moving in. Obvious symptoms include dead/brown patches, yellowing grass where the turf has not been able to absorb nutrients, and weeds.
The planting for the Brewin Dolphin show garden was based on using native pioneer species, such as birch and buddleia, along with tough grasses (Carex pendula), shrubs (Euonymus alatus) and ferns (Dryopteris affinis). These plants have evolved to colonise barren soils and are tolerant of poor soil conditions. They’re often found growing on exposed sites, where they start the process of rehabilitating the soil, allowing much-needed microorganisms and air in.
Hervey-Brookes also included shrubs, including Rosa glauca, Rosa canina and Rosa rugosa, that “pretty much grow anywhere”, he says. The roots of these…
