Dan Pearson: How I create 'layered' planting | Plant communities by design

Garden designer Dan Pearson reveals his top advice for creating successful planting schemes that have interest through the seasons, through the clever use of 'layering'. Inspired by natural landscapes and the succession and levels of planting seen in them, discover how Dan plans a small, simple planting scheme in his own garden, involving a tree surrounded by different layers of herbaceous planting with flowers from early spring through to autumn. Dan offers straightforward principles for designing plant 'communities', with plants that grow happily together and require the same type of conditions and care. You can easily take these tips to build your own layered border, bed or planting scheme with continuous interest through the year and low maintenance needs, no matter how small your growing space.