Soil. It’s all in the preparation.
I remember reading an article in one of the well-known garden magazines where a celebrity garden designer acknowledged he spent more on the compost and ground preparation than the plants. At the time I thought, wow, but when I sat down and thought about it, I realised that it was true. Like any job, the […]
Right Plant, Right Place
A major part of garden design is understanding how plants will grow and only using plants that will be happy in the conditions they are planted in. Light, soil type and exposure to either wind, rain or sun all affect the success of planting schemes. However, if you are new to an area, it can […]
Can You Plant During Winter?
This is a question I often get asked at this time of year and most people are surprised when I tell them that November to March are the best months for planting. All the plants I use in my designs are hardy and should be able to take temperatures as low as minus 15 celsius. […]
What’s next for the designer’s own garden?
I only planned initially to get the trees in but I am a plantaholic and like most plant lovers, I got carried away and decided to plant a dozen Hydrangea Paniculata Wims Red. These are strong hydrangeas that will fill out under the tree canopy and provide me with colour from May to October. They […]
Rome was not created in a day, and neither is a garden.
At the end of 2021 I moved from East Anglia to Brampton in Cumbria which is close to the border with Northumberland. Over the next two years I shall be working in both Norfolk and Cumbria, designing, planting and landscaping gardens and sharing in my blog the way I tackle my own garden. For many […]
Will a professionally designed garden add value to property?
A professionally landscaped garden will not only add to your enjoyment of your property but can also add to the value and saleability of your home if and when you decide to move. A well designed garden can add up to 10- 15% to the value of your home. Equally a poorly presented garden can […]
Is there such a thing as good design?
If you want to improve the look, design and planting in your garden, then you may well be thinking about getting a garden designer in to help. So what makes one designer better than another? Is there such a thing as good design? In short yes! Garden design is all about shaping and organising space, […]
This month in the garden – January
January Cold wind and rain can often make the garden feel intimidating at this time of year. However, despite the harshness of winter there are plants to enjoy and plenty of jobs to be getting on with. This is the time of year when tree barks come into their own. My personal favourites are Prunus […]
Gardens to inspire and delight
How do you choose your favourite garden? Is it one you visit for inspiration? Or the place you go for a family day out. Do you like modern or traditional English gardens? Below are a few of my favourites which I recommend visiting for both design and planting inspiration. • The Beth Chatto Gardens, near […]