The secret to successfully adapting English-type gardens to American growing conditions is in the flowerbed preparation, and not just in the choice of plants. The beds need to be deeply worked to facilitate excellent water drainage, and the soil must be very healthy and fertile. Healthy soil feed the plant roots and exhibit better moisture retention. I dig out new beds to 3 feet deep, which might seem excessive to some gardeners, but having seen plants drown in my pioneering gardening days when I merely amended the clay to less than a foot deep, 3 feet of well-draining soil prevents the plant roots from sitting in water. Plants can't swim. If you have not already done so, read Preparing Your Flowerbeds. Reading this article will help you visualize bed preparation. To return, press the BACK button on the browser or mouse. The quality of the soil is vitally important. Bed preparation is by far the most important ingredient to creating English gardens, which typically are packed with a wide variety of perennial and annuals plant species, and small shrubs. The roots of some plants reach deep into the soil, and after a heavy rain the water table rises. Unless the water drains away quickly, some plants will drown. The roots of plants need oxygen, and water forces the oxygen from the soil. The plants suffocate. Many soil suppliers now offer mulit-part perennial soil mixes in bulk. These mixes are composed of a variety of ingredients such as top-grade shredded top soil, compost, aged-manure and coarse sand (construction sand, not playbox sand which is too fine and salty). Other moisture-retentive agents complete the mix. To help our plants to grow healthy and productive, they need a soil which is nutritious, moisture-retentive, full of oxygen, and free-draining. Strong, healthy plants have a better chance of adapting to weather extremes, because their roots grow strong. Strong roots have a better chance of surviving in healthy soil, even if the part of the plant above the soil is harmed by severe weather. When the weather improves, the healthy roots can generate foliage again. Plants in shallow beds filled with average top soil, with the top sprayed or sprinkled with fertilizer, cannot grow to their full productivity. They do not develop a good root system. They may survive for a few years, but their lives will be severely shortened. To amend existing beds, by whatever method which works for you, amend the soil to a depth of at least 2 feet, or 3 feet if your back will allow it.