Ward off garden weeds by planting any of these 4 'weed-suppressant plants'

Paul Parker, the CEO at leading garden retailer J.Parker's, has revealed the " weed -suppressant plants " you need in your garden . " Weeding your borders can be a time-consuming task, so to create a low-maintenance border, look to include weed -suppressant plants to help," he said.

Parker explained how "a thick mass planting of ground-cover perennials can help control weeds ". He revealed that ground-cover perennials keep "direct sunlight off the soil", which would otherwise cause weeds to germinate and compete for water and nutrients. "Take some time to get to know your garden before choosing which plants will be most effective," he advised.



If it's a sunny part of the garden, the best ground cover plants are: Aubrieta Campanula Thymus serpyllum Phlox subulata. For more shadier areas of the garden, the best "weed-suppressant plants" are: Ajuga Leucothoe Hosta Whichever perennial plant you choose, Parker said: "Prepare the area by removing all existing weeds before planting and consider adding mulch for moisture retention." Parker recommended layering plants by height to add a sense of dimension to the space.

He explained: "Position bedding or annual plants at the front or around the perimeter of an island bed. "Anything at ground height or mat-forming is perfect for the front of the border, like geraniums or dianthus." Parker added: "Mid and back tiers can be filled with bulbs and taller plants, which will depend on your theme.

" Adhering to Parker's advice allows you to see the most of your flowers as they appear throughout each season. Adding fragrant plants to the garden, such as honeysuckle and hyacinths, create a sensory experience. Furthermore, plants such as bamboo can create a hustling sound in the wind when it blows.

For added texture, eremurus and wisteria is recommended, which all help to create a visually stunning landscape. "If you’re not sure where to start, taking inspiration from certain garden styles can inspire colour palettes, plants to use, and textures," said Parker..