Planting for a shady spot

dryopteris-and-astrantia

Lovely combination here of lime green Dryopteris ferns and dusky purple astrantias. Perfect partners for a damp shady spot.

Pruned Pittosporum

pittosporum-pruned

This variegated pittosporum ‘tree’ has been pruned to reveal the lower branches, which is a great idea. Pittosporums are bought as shrubs, and they tend to grow into rather unshapely lumps….and then keep growing to tree height! Once they get to this height, they look great pruned in this way, especially in a small garden. …

Yew domes

Yew Domes

Topiary domes are all the rage! I have to share with you these Yew domes, they look divine dotted alternately along an organic shaped pathway. They are arranged so that the foliage overlaps over the path – it wouldn’t be the same otherwise. The whole effect is just gorgeous! Designed by Adam Frost for Chelsea …

Willow sculptures

These boxing hares are a great addition to this country garden. My client chose them herself for the centre of a large herbaceous border benefitting from a focal point. All sorts of animal willow sculptures like these are available now, pigs….horses, elephants! Sculptures or ornaments in the garden can hold special memories or meaning which …

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 …