🌳Top Ten Ideas for trees for small gardens If you have a small garden, don’t rule out trees. There are many species, for example crab apples, maples and cherries that even the smallest of gardens will accommodate. It will have to work hard to justify its space and must be chosen carefully. The following are my top ten trees for … Read More
Alternative Lawn Ideas
Plants as Alternative Lawn Ideas Many people love a stripy green lawn but it can be hard work to keep it looking good. Sometimes there are areas in a garden where you might want a patch of green without all the hassle of maintenance, where mowing grass is not a viable option. In these situations there are plants that could … Read More
How to Create a Wildflower Meadow
How to create a wildflower meadow in the garden? How to create a wildflower meadow is a question I’m often asked, very happy to answer and indeed encourage! Small things in a garden can have a big impact and there is a growing awareness that by deliberately leaving an area to grow more freely is the best way to help … Read More
Garden Lights Ideas
Garden lights aren’t just for for Christmas! People often think about lights on a Christmas tree in the garden but why stop there? Using lighting all through the year to create a subtle glow outlining a specimen tree, to illuminate a group of plant containers, spotlight a piece of artwork or an archway, even under a blanket of snow, creates … Read More
How to Design a Garden from Scratch
Practical Tips on how to Design a Garden It might sound a little daunting to design a garden from scratch. Perhaps your garden is overgrown and wild, a blank canvas and uninspired or designed for another purpose and you’d rather use it in a different way. It could be the children have left home, the trampoline dismantled, and it’s time … Read More
Sustainable Garden Ideas
Creating a sustainable garden Ironically, although we create green spaces in the landscaping industry, it takes effort and motivation to create a truly sustainable garden. Over the last ten years, I’ve witnessed an increasing demand from clients to create a sustainable garden and gleaned a few ideas along the way. If you’re interested in having a more sustainable garden here … Read More
The gardens at Rousham
Getting inspiration from Rousham gardens In his ‘Around the World in 80 Gardens’ television series, Monty Don described Rousham as ‘The greatest masterpiece of English Gardening – a flawless work of genius.’ Designed by William Kent in the 18th Century, it remains virtually unspoilt, which is part of this garden’s unique charm. William Kent – Garden Designer William Kent was … Read More
Climbing Plants for a Wall
Finding the Right Climbing Plant for a Wall One of the best ways of making the most of precious garden space is by using the third dimension and going upwards. Most houses have at least one wall that can be planted against and the front entrance is a particularly important place to consider what, if any, climbing plants are chosen … Read More
Container Gardening
Plants to grow in a container The one activity most gardeners share, whether they own a large estate or just a tiny courtyard, is growing plants in containers. Almost all gardeners do it – with good reason. Cultivating plants in hanging baskets, window boxes, troughs, pots, tubs, even old wheelbarrows is immensely, instantly rewarding and offers great scope for the … Read More
Designing Low-Maintenance Gardens for Retired Adults
Gardening in Retirement An estimated 27 million people in the UK are involved in gardening and the activity remains a popular hobby for the British who are proud of their green spaces. For retired people who have spare time on their hands, gardening is an interesting pursuit with around 62% of adults 65 years and above engaged in the activity, according to … Read More