Plants looking good in May
Plants looking good in May. During the month of May as the weather warms and the days lengthen, it is great to consider what’s looking good in the garden right now. Looking at one of our on going projects, I have been watching one of the large borders and studying its progress each week. Back in May 2018 we planted up this West facing border. As we move into season two, I notice how (with garden irrigation and regular maintenance, including a hefty dose of mulch), it is establishing and gently maturing as we had envisaged.
Top Three
There are many to choose from. These top three plants are looking particularly good now, and are three of my personal favourites. They are all very individual in their habit, form and colour yet work wonderfully well in this large border. Plant in groups for maximum impact.
Sky Blue
Camassia cusickii (Cusick’s Camass) is a bulbous perennial with long racemes of thirty to one hundred star shaped sky blue flowers. Held by stout yet willowy stems and open sequentially from bottom to top. Blooming in late spring/early summer, they appear above wavy margined foliage. Camassia are a striking feature in the garden when the summer perennials have not yet hit their stride. They grow 60-75cm tall and will naturalise easily in full sun or part shade with moisture retentive soil. However they like to be drier through their dormancy. They really look spectacular planted in drifts and they mix beautifully with other late spring flowering bulbs.
Peachy-Orange
Geum “Totally Tangerine” (Avens) is a clump forming herbaceous perennial noted for its long flowering season. They have an abundance of upward and outward facing peachy-orange flowers from late spring to early autumn. If you keep dead heading them, they really will last that long! They have branched sprays which rise above the lush mound of deep green, fuzzy leaved foliage. Totally Tangerine is sterile and will not self seed. It will grow up to 75cm tall and enjoys full sun or part shade in well drained soil. A beautiful, adaptable plant that will add a wonderful splash of colour as well as be a real magnet for bees and butterflies.
Tall aromatic
Angelica achangelica is a tall, aromatic, perennial herb with attractive rounded umbels up to 10-15cm across. White or greenish tiny flowers appear in early summer and are borne on hollow, bright green stems which are sometimes tinged purple. Angelica has a liquorice taste and it has long been used for both culinary and medicinal purposes. The leaves are great in salads, the stalks may be crystallised in sugar for cake decorating as well as the seeds being used for flavouring liqueurs. The root was thought to protect against the plague, hence its name “Angelica” due to its angelical virtues. It will bloom from early to mid summer reaching up to 180cm tall and needing full sun or part shade in rich medium to wet soil.
A striking variety that provides incredible plant “sculpture”
For more top May flowering perennials check out
Garden detailing
This type of garden detailing is very satisfying. Our clients wished to personalise their garden by incorporating a bespoke design within the brick entrance pad to the front door. It not only offers a personalised touch but will afford a completely unique point in the garden. The property is certainly quite unique in nature, almost quirky, with plenty of different building materials making up various additions to the original late medieval farmhouse.
Courtyard Garden
We are currently landscaping the courtyard style garden at the entrance to the property. Visitors approach the beautiful timber front door via a brick and flint path. Our design opens up the entrance threshold providing a greater circulation space, whereas before this space had been quite cramped and unattractive. A limited plant and colour palette will help to enhance the flow and aesthetic of the design.
Entrance Design
We choose a geometric pattern that sits in a symmetrical way against one another. Warm red creasing tiles laid on edge are inset within a bed of knapped flint. This tile colour compliments the surrounding clay pavers. The colour tones and materials selected tie in with those on the house. The design provides a simple yet strong statement as a first impression approaching the property. The construction is well underway as the images demonstrate. The garden detailing is bringing this project alive and we are delighted with the progress so far.
Garden Construction Work
Garden construction work moves forward. Visiting this week to monitor the garden build progress, much has been achieved in seven days. It is great working with a regular landscape team, as we can not only rely on superb workmanship and detail but fantastic communication. This is something we pride ourselves on and understand the importance of keeping the project as stress free for the client as possible. This can obviously be achieved with clear direction and organisation.
Brick retaining walls
The low brick retaining walls are now two courses high. The clay bricks themselves have been selected carefully to compliment the style and age of the house. They also tie in with the clay pavers that we have used in other parts of the garden. Soft in tone with a very slight colour variation will mean they will blend in seamlessly to the design. We are also using these clay pavers as the path material in a basket weave pattern and also brick with a flint inlay. We have discussed the heights and positioning of the recessed wall lights from our lighting design, again considering all these little details make a huge difference to the end result.
Gate sub-frame
Our blacksmith has now sent the underground part of the beautiful bespoke metal gate. This has been positioned carefully and set in concrete before the concrete pour for the paths. When the gate arrives, it will then fit securely onto a strong base. Designed at our Surrey studio and made at a Herefordshire forge, it will be centralised onto the property’s chimney breast on one side and a yew hedge on the other, affording access through to the parterre garden beyond.
We are looking forward to our next visit to see further progress. A small area of garden, but one with many quirks due to its’ age and location. This certainly makes for a characterful space and one with much individuality.
Garden Build Progress
Visiting after one week, is it great to see the garden build progress so positively. Much has been achieved and the dig out is now complete. Now down to solid chalk and it always surprises me how much material comes out of a small garden! It is fortunate that we have not had to consider getting rid of this waste which is always such an expensive exercise. Instead the spoil is being recycled to form a new bank on the boundary of another part of the garden. We always strive to re-use where appropriate to save on costs.
The mini digger is now redundant, we had to hire the smallest one to fit through the garden gate to access the site. Concrete has now been poured to set the foundations of the new low retaining walls and steps. String lines are fixed to set the paths out. Conduits have been laid for the lighting cabling and irrigation feeds. Final tweaks on the setting out are being finalised. We always find it such a beneficial role as project monitor, we can fine tune any part of the design and talk through any queries that the client or landscaper may have.
Minor adjustments and alterations
There are always minor adjustments and alterations once the work is underway, solving these now is imperative to the success of the on-going project. Even a few millimetres out on a path or border can alter the whole design. This can only be recognised on the ground. No mater how accurate the survey and drawings we compile are, there may be some slight tweaks to make.
As the build progresses, we keep close contact with the client so that they are fully “in the picture” as to how everything is going and we will raise questions with them if need be. A collaborative approach keeps the whole team up to date and the project moving in the right direction.
Looking forward to next week’s site visit and updating you on the next blog.
Bringing Garden Designs to Life – The Build Begins
I am writing this, as the first in a series of blogs. Showing the process of bringing one of our garden designs to life. From paper, through the construction stage and onto completion.
You’re using a garden designer and after weeks of planning your garden with us, the build begins. Budgets have been set and agreed. Drawings have been produced and deliberated. Many decisions have been finalised, on details that you never even knew existed, let alone had to make decisions on. We guide you through this process, always working with you in a collaborative way. By appointing us, you appreciate that our knowledge, experience and creativity will ensure that you achieve a beautiful garden.
However, it is still nerve racking for you, the client, to see your outdoor space suddenly become an unattractive area of “mess” as the build begins. Machinery moves in, plants move out and the setting out and excavation begins. We are extremely fortunate to work with such excellent landscapers, who are not only hugely talented in what they do, but are excellent communicators and considerate to where they are working. And so, the collaborative approach continues, often with the inclusion of additional sub-contractors such as garden lighting and irrigation specialists.
Problem Solving
In the process of bringing garden designs to life, there always will be an element of problem solving required. We adopt a proactive rather than a reactive approach, working closely alongside the contractors, identifying potential issues before they arise. In this way we are able to come up with suitable solutions ensuring the project remains on track. This week for example, we uncovered a 41.5 metre deep well which was not on the survey! There will always be an answer to the situation, something may have to move slightly, however it is always important to consider how that may affect the whole garden design, not just the area in the immediate vicinity. Moving a path by 50mm can put the whole design out. This is again where working closely as team with you, the client and the landscapers will always pay dividends.
Mud and Mess
Obviously you have to crack a few eggs to make an omelette, and so all this mud and mess will be worth it. While it can be difficult as you look out to try and visualise how that current landscaping work will ever evolve into the garden envisaged on the beautifully rendered, scaled drawing. As the levels are set and the excavations continue, you will be able to see how your garden is taking shape. Each stage is exciting, even if the current stage is a wet and muddy one. Each week huge progress is made. The transformation continues as the design emerges out of the ground. With each and every decision you made with our support, you are well on your way to that beautiful garden been realised.
International Women’s Day
As we celebrate International Women’s Day 2019 on March 8th, I thought about writing this blog on a distinguished, female garden designer. It would have been easy to research and tell you interesting facts about that individual, but then in fact, I thought I would write about my own experience of being a woman in the wonderful world of landscaping and design. I’m not a feminist whatsoever but there are some illustrious female traits worthy of acclaim.
My journey began after a career as a nurse. I needed a change and a new challenge but more importantly to be outside and nuture the creative talent that I felt I had bubbling. For me, the nursing profession in the late 80’s and 90’s was predominantly a mainly female affair.
Here and Now
Nowadays, I find myself in a mostly male dominated working environment from my wonderful designer colleague to landscapers, nurserymen, lighting and irrigation specialists, landscape supplies, reps and many others. As a woman, I feel you have to be of strong stock in this business. Assertive and confident in your approach yet thoughtful and considered. A good listener, reader of body language and excellent communicator. In fact all the skills I acquired whilst nursing, good, solid transferable skills!
It goes without saying that you need to be physically strong to be working in a garden, yet emotionally strong to deal with issues as they arise. These sometimes need resolving immediately and on the spot with clear, concise solutions. Teamwork is key and it is always good to know what amazing support I have.
My last working week consisted of so much variety which is what I thrive on, no two days are the same.. ever. A good heady mix of research, design, client meetings, contractor meetings, Sketch Up training, a network event and planting plans. As well as the usual humdrum (yet necessary) emails, phone calls, social media and blog updates which gently rumble in the background like my stomach when I haven’t had time for lunch!
Moving Forward
Being a sole trader of a small business is tough, your motivation and drive cannot falter, which leads me onto another important aspect – time management. I am getting better at this, not at punctuality, I’ve always been rather efficient at that but spreading the workload in an effective and logical way.
I am not one to sit still, if I am sedentary there is always a task in hand or thoughts of one. Realising that starting very early, working through lunch and finishing late is not productive. Super woman I am not, but I tried to be! Breaking the week into manageable chunks is the way forward and it pays off. I am much more productive at work but also more available to fulfil my other roles as mother, sister, partner, aunt, godmother, daughter and friend, which is actually the important stuff.
I feel very lucky so far, to have met so many great people along the way and as I celebrate 10 years of business I applaud and celebrate International Women’s Day.
Designing small outdoor spaces
Gardens naturally come in all shapes and sizes yet designing a smaller outdoor space can sometimes pose a challenge. The same elements usually still need to be included from a clients’ wish-list, maybe seating, a dining area, possibly a water feature or sculpture and a seasonal planting scheme. It is about being clever with the area, looking at it as a whole and how it is viewed from inside the house. With small gardens, everything is on show and there can be no room for error or wasted space.
Space saving ideas
There are many ways in which cleverly considered elements work, not only by serving a dual purpose but in offering space saving ideas. A bench can offer a neat storage solution inside. A swing can offer fun for your kids, but also an extra seat for informal gatherings. Raised borders also can give additional seating for guests, add cushions to encourage people to sit there. Carefully considered flower borders can be planted with veg, fruit and herbs also for culinary requirements.
Seating areas with small benches take us less space than dining chairs. Go vertical with planting, display small pots on a ladder or shelving frame. Steal views from your boundaries, to add an extra perspective and give a sense of extra space. Staining boundary fences a dark colour will also encourage this as well as really making the plants stand out.
We will always off course, consider every inch of your garden. Whatever its size choice of materials and layout is so important. Even in a small town garden, such as mine, I have managed to include three areas to sit to enjoy the sun through the day. The one most used is the west facing corner of the garden. After work, being sheltered and private, it provides a snug oasis to enjoy the last of the sun.
Privacy and screening is usually top of the priority list. Smaller gardens tend to be positioned in a higher populated area with neighbours in close proximity. You want to feel private without being hemmed in.. carefully positioned trees, attractive trellising, laser cut panels and pleached trees can all achieve this.
A stunning garden can be created from the tiniest of spaces, it is just about being clever with the design.
Please do check out some more inspirational ideas on my Pinterest page: https://www.pinterest.co.uk/lizziejsmith/tiny-garden-spaces/
Wonderful Winter Pots and Festive Garden Ideas
It’s not too late to think about some wonderful winter pots for your garden and not too early to think about some festive garden ideas!
Whether you have a balcony, courtyard or large terrace, creative planting really can bring an interesting element to the cold, winter garden. Avoid the pansies and be bold. Evergreen grasses, perennials, ferns and small shrubs can provide great pleasure. Pop in some fresh compost and mix in a little grit to aid drainage through the wetter months. Layer in some bulbs first if you wish.
Placing your Pots
Decide where you will be placing the pots before you fill them, to save your back. Grouping them can look stunning. Place them near the house so you can enjoy them as much as possible. If you have garden lighting, position the pots so they will be illuminated in the dark.
I have layered mine in height, by placing smaller ones on upturned wooden crates and a small bistro table. This gives a fabulous effect of differing heights. If you have outdoor lanterns or ornaments that are not being stored over the winter, dot them in with your pots so you create a dynamic display.
As we near the festive season, collect fir cones and put them around the plants to cover any exposed soil or fill the empty lanterns with them to the brim. Simple outdoor strings of lights would also look lovely adorned across the plants weaved through them to add another dimension.
Small, twiggy branches that have blown down can be grouped into a metal watering can or tall bucket and small baubles hung from them. It’s all about being creative and using what you already have in the garden. By gathering all your treasures together, you really can create a wonderful display.
See ideas on my Pinterest page: https://www.pinterest.co.uk/lizziejsmith/winter-pots/
The Benefits of Gardening
Much has been written about the benefits of gardening. For me, one of these benefits is actually writing about it! Starting a regular blog piece has meant that I am able to express my passion of the subject in words. Apart from endless emails and the odd birthday card, we don’t write. Ok, so I am using a laptop right now, not ink on paper but the process of creating a paragraph or two with interesting content (I hope) I find very therapeutic. Off-loading your thoughts and clearing your mind a little must be therapy? As a teenager, we all kept a diary of our thoughts and it is often suggested that now that would still be a good idea but it is of course, down to the old problem of time.
Physical & Mental Welfare
Gardening will always give us strength and pain (our backs!) but the physical and mental welfare such a simple pleasure gives is truly astonishing. As I celebrate soon my business realising one decade, I reflect on what it has done for me personally. To be in a garden and having a successful garden design business really is a perfect combination for me, combining people, plants and creativity rolled into one.
Hands in the soil will always be the most simple of pleasures, in a whirlwind world of tech, this will never change. They say tech may go full circle and implode. Whilst our fingers may not be tapping on a keyboard, they will always be pushing bulbs into soil, snipping dead blooms and touching that beautiful, tactile, soft leaf. The physical benefits of gardening are clear, tried and tested. The exercise through walking and stretching in the garden, outweigh the aching limbs and sore back. Regular gardeners certainly don’t need a gym membership, gardening is a good workout in itself. It gives you thinking time and head space. All rather decadent things to behold.
Really visualising the changing seasons with regular outdoor eyes, makes you appreciate all that surrounds us. The silence can be deafening, an unusual occurrence, but one so wonderful. Gardening isn’t just about fresh air, its about fresh thoughts, fresh ideas and fresh outlooks.
Gertrude Jekyll – Influential Garden Designer
A Life Long Legacy
Gertrude Jekyll left a life long legacy to all us keen gardeners, whether embarking on gardening as a hobby or a career we have so much to be thankful to this astonishing woman.
Born on November 29th 1843 in Mayfair, Jekyll (pronounced “Jeekell”) attended Henry Cole’s School of Art. A natural creative, she worked in Paris and then at The British Museum, The National Gallery, The Louvre and The Brera. The galleries of Venice and Rome then offered her not only invaluable opportunity but wonderful experience also. She never married and had no children.
She began concentrating her talents on gardening. When aged 46, she met the young, aspiring architect, Edward Lutyens who was himself only 20. They developed a deep respect for each others work, working alongside each other closely. A profound lifelong friendship ensued. They became the most influential and historical partnership in The Arts and Crafts movement.
Jekyll spent most of her life in Surrey, latterly at Munstead Wood, near Godalming. She ran a garden centre there and bred many new plants.
Jekyll’s work is known for its’ radiant colour and brush-like strokes of planting. Some suggest that the impressionistic style schemes may have been due to her deteriorating eyesight.
Jekyll’s influence on garden design has been hugely pervasive to this day and we are thankful for all her work that is still referred to by many garden designers.