I have just had an enquiry from someone who would like to give their wife an in depth garden design consultation with me as a Christmas present – great idea! I am more than happy to carry out out this type of visit and discussion at an hourly rate.
Wrapping up for Winter
With the night-time temperatures so low at the moment, I have been covering up some Agapanthus with horticultural fleece, just in case we get some snow. Other tender plants like Astelia would benefit too.
Steeply sloping front garden
This was a particularly successful project completed this year I think. The steps were re-positioned from originally being in a straight line down to the front door, now to the side, to create a less steep, curved pathway, easier to negotiate. They lead from a new lych-gate style entrance to the property. The new driveway …
Strawberry tree has stay of execution!
Back in February we pruned an elderly strawberry tree (Arbutus unedo). It was tall and straggly, with green growth only at the tips of the branches. I was hoping a hard prune would re-shape and rejuvenate it, as it was a substantial structural evergreen in the garden, worth saving. After 3 months there was no …
Wonderful scent
I do love skimmias – I was working in a garden this morning, and the skimmias were giving off the most wonderful scent. They really don’t seem to mind a chalky garden too much, as long as there is a good depth of topsoil. Evergreen, red berries, scent, compact growth habit, it really is worthwhile. …
A first for me – ‘Easigrass’
Last year I had my first experience of Astroturf, or ‘Easigrass’. It looks great! What also looks great in this garden is the revolving ‘Pod’ which has seating and a table inside. It reflects the circular design of the garden, chosen to offset an angular boundary line.
Classic Box spheres
Topiary Buxus sempervirens spheres are a classic feature of the country garden, and look good planted alongside billowing herbaceous plants as a contrast.Here in this garden which I overhauled last year, I removed a huge mound of old lavender, and ivy growing over the piers of the wall, and planted 2 box spheres to frame …
Rain!
Thank goodness some rain has arrived – much needed for all those plants I have planted recently!
How To Prepare Your Garden Decking For Winter
Garden decking can be seen in large and small gardens across the UK. If well maintained, this structure can last for many years. In this short guide we will explain how to prepare your decking for the winter months. Before explaining how to maintain the decked area, let’s examine the two popular types of decking …
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Room for the life
I am still seeing casualties from the hard winter we had this year – numerous Phormiums, palms, bays, callistemon, fatsias…all those shrubs that say in the books they are tender; up to now we have got away with it, and grown them in this country quite happily, but the prolonged spell of cold was too …