Whenever I plant up a garden it is always rewarding to salvage plants from existing borders if I can. As long as they are not plants my client loathes, they are healthy, they fit in with the scheme, and they are not too big to be moved or split up. Today we decided to salvage …
Chaenomeles speciosa ‘Kinshiden’
This Chaenomeles has proved a hit. Planted against a fence in a north-facing border with clay soil, it has established well. It flowered beautifully in Spring, and gave another flush again recently. It produces lime green apple like fruits (not edible). The double white flowers, tinged with yellow stand out in the shade and easily …
Garden furniture takes centre stage
One of the most important aspects of a garden is it’s use as a seating/ dining/lounging area. The term ‘Outdoor Room’ is a bit of a cliche, but in good weather the garden really does become the alternative lounge and dining room (and kitchen..!) It’s a great advantage to consider the size, colour and style …
Block themed
I love this beautiful contemporary garden, designed by Paul Martin and built by Kent based RDC Landscapes www.rdclandscapes.co.uk. It won a gold medal earlier this year at Chelsea. The block theme works so well. It is repeated throughout the garden with the garden building, steps, walls, path and water feature. Using the one type of …
Multi-stemmed Parrotia persica
Chelsea Flower show gardens of recent years are a rich seam of inspiration. Luciano Giubbilei is an astonishingly stylish Italian designer and this was part of his Laurent Perrier garden in 2011. Here the pale grey, twisted stems of Parrotia persica multi-stemmed trees stand out against the hornbeam hedge. They do so in a more …
Less is more
I love the work of garden designer Dan Pearson. His advice when creating a planting plan is to choose plants appropriate to the spirit of the place, plants that are right for the soil and situation, and plants that sit well together. Make a list of your favourites – then halve it. Less is more. …
Curving paths using Vande Moortel pavers
This is a Chelsea Flower show garden by Cleve West, back in 2008. The curving paths are made with Vande Moortel pavers www.vandemoortel.co.uk They are small narrow pavers, like vintage bricks, and they lend themselves to both traditional and contemporary gardens. The planting here is very pretty. However I notice the centrepiece in this border …
Front garden driveway
Today I visited a garden I designed last year. The driveway entrance required widening, and an extra space for a car /turning circle was needed. It was nice to see that it has turned out well, and the clients were happy with the result.
organic shapes
Organic shapes like these really create a wow.
Perfect pot, perfect place
This is an example of how the right pot in the right place can make a big impact. The size, shape and colour all complement the garden. The colour of the pot picks up the orange geums and hemerocallis, and also the baton trellis. Credit to London garden designer Kate Gould.