Garden design, garden planning, garden layout, planting plants and planting schemes

Bee happy with the summer blooms

Posted on July 7th, 2010

Blooming Lavender, looks particularly beautiful when mass planted

Many people will be familiar with the threats to Bees and declining colonies throughout Ireland, Europe in fact the world. Whilst Scientists continue to research causes and possible cures to the various issues endangering Bees, gardeners meanwhile should be doing whatever possible to improve the Bee’s habitat and plant more blooming shrubs. There are many flowering plants to attract bees but a very easy and popular choice is of course the Lavender (literally lots of variants within the main French, English and Dutch varieties).

Lavenders provide not only plenty of colourful displays throughout the summer months but also fantastic scent. After flowering the Lavender spent flowers/seeds have a multitude of uses including potpourii, scent, oils, soap etc etc. Personally I think Lavender looks best when planted in extended groups and it is such an easy to grow, versatile and resourceful plant. Although it can be grown literally anywhere (window box, pot, planter, mixed border etc) it prefers sunny free draining soil conditions. Every garden should include Lavender and with a guaranteed profusion of summer blooms, each and every bloom will be much appreciated by the humble but vitally important busy summer bees.

Small Garden Design – Small Garden Landscaping

Posted on May 29th, 2010

A current project reflects the many typical or broad challenges encountered in designing and building small gardens. Frequently such gardens have particular challenges, eg poor or inadequate space during sunny spells, no provision for storage space, uneven or sloping irregularities in lawns, arbitrary division of soft and hard landscaping areas, lack of focal points. All of these points although individually not too serious but collectively conspire to make the small garden uninspiring, uninviting and underutilised.

Here are some photos from early stages of project, commencement of site clearance through the stages of development Patio construction, groundworks and levelling. A very interesting aspect of this particular project was the decision to paint the boundary fencing which providing a very clean, unified and interesting background for planting later on. Also painting the new Garden Shed in same colour was also a simple example of how to make the ubiqitous garden shed less conspicuous within the garden.

Later on I will post photos of the completed project which I believe illustrate how creative small garden design combined competent and careful landscaping produce an exciting garden space that is packed with practical features, inspiring colours and an exciting outdoor living space.

Good Common Gardening

Posted on May 5th, 2010

Jaded and overgrown

Despite the narrow margin, the planting looks very untidy

A recent planting project involved replacing a generally cumbersome, jaded and overgrown planting scheme which bordered a common entrance to an attractive and surprisingly peaceful enclave of detached bungalows in a Dublin suburb.  Although the project scope was rather modest, it clearly demonstrates as a simple but effective example of practical plant selection with appealling results. The pressure treated Pine sleepers provided a raised edge to enclose the feature planting area comprising of a wide variety of primarily evergreen but also deciduous trees and shrubs.

A range of attractive coloured foliage complemented with an extended flowering season ensures very good appeal throughout the year. Simple planting for this common area for all to enjoy and with many shrubs not exceeding a height and spread of less than 900mm, there will be little effort required to maintain this planting scheme.

A new family garden with design, interest and uses

Posted on December 24th, 2009

Once the site had been cleared, worked commenced on grading the site and to create a series of terraces with the highest at the back (upper lawn) and grading downwards towards front (a planted buffer zone separating lawn area from football area) which was also separate from the enclosed vegetable garden which was next up from the entrance level and garden shed.

Some other works completed included the construction of an enclosure for the puppy as well as some wall cladding/trellissing to conceal some unappealling unrendered blockwork wall finishes etc.

Entrance to Dog Enclosure

Planting at Dog enclosure featured Hardenbegia and Libertia.

View of entrance (southern) to enclosed Vegetable garden area

Enclosed Vegetable garden Entrance/exit (northern)

Stepping stone pathway linking Vegetable garden to Garden Shed

View towards Boundary of prepared ground of Vegetable garden

View towards House of well prepared ground of Vegetable garden

A rendered and secure garden shed

View of football play area

View of upper lawn area

Sandstone setts were used to delineate lawn profile

View of Ornamental Grasses/Herbaceous planting area

Feature planting included Tree Ferns and slow but low growing Bamboos

Old granite wall provides an excellent backdrop to planting scheme

The gentle sweep of lawn edge/planted areas provides added interesting

Sweeping lawn edges create variable planted space possibilities

The original Post & Panel fencing was painted green to make it less conspicuous

Practical and robust planting (Pittosporum Tom Thumb and Libertia) at rear of football area

Roll turf provides an ideal and instant finish look to a new lawn

Timber cladding with trellissing provides a coherent but attractive finish

Maples – delightful forms with stunning colours

Posted on October 15th, 2009

Well most of us will be familiar with some or several Acers (Japanese Maples) but here are some interesting varieties which will special appeal to many gardeners especially if you are on the look-out for small trees. These varieties are quite simply amazing, with striking colourful displays they can be planted in the ground or alternatively in large patio containers.

As a general rule, Maples/Acers are a little vunerable, they do require some protection from strong winds but otherwise are very content if planted in a sheltered spot ie sun/half shade. These varieties are also deciduous, and as Acers do not like pruning, select a spot which allows plant to comfortably reach normal height and spread.  Apart from some basic ground preparation, mix in some compost and fertiliser with planting soil and water regularly until the plant becomes established, they are otherwise trouble free.

Here are 3 great varieties with all the magic of Maples:

Soft Landscaping with Trees

Posted on October 8th, 2009

After yesterday’s heavy rainshowers which forced us to abandon  early, work resumed today. Whilst exacavations of Driveway area continued, in the rear garden we completed the sandstone paving of an what will be a partly enclosed adjoining space (Utility area), the Sandstone setts at entrance to rear garden area and the installation of Setts for the lawn edging/mowing continued to advance. 

Completion of Sandstone paving in Utility area

Detail of Sandstone setts at entrance to Rear garden

Sandstone Setts define planting areas at Patio

Detail of perimeter planting area at Patio

Sandstone setts used as Lawn edge and define Planting areas

As the completion of the hard landscaping works in Rear garden nears, I suppose we approach what is for many landscapers, a very exciting phase of any new project and that is of course the soft landscaping phase, ie, planting phase. I often wonder what the unsuspecting people makes of the terms ‘hard’ and ’soft’ landscaping. I’m sure one could interpret the distinction as ‘hard’ meaning difficult, ie constructional aspects, and ’soft’ , ie planting being somewhat easier.  Of course this might be the case in complex construction type projects, but believe you me, there are projects where the scale involving planting of very mature plant specimens, is indeed very difficult and labour intensive. As in all large projects, the best way to eat an elephant, is in tiny bits, and so no longer able to control our excitement, we took the opportunity to plant some trees and what a difference they make. We’ll wait now until the garden lighting has been installed before resuming the planting. But here are some photos of what we planted earlier today providing another aspect or glimpse of the new garden and the shape of things to come!     

Tree cluster featuring Olives and Acers

The magnificent Olive tree - for many, a most welcomed non-native tree species

The Acers (Japanese Maples) nestled at rear will benefit from the shelter provided by the fencing and the protective dappled shade of the Olives at the front

The cluster of trees will provide height and colour within this feature planted area, and the eye-catching tree shadows on the garden fencing!

Acer palmatum 'Sangokaku' (Japenese Maple) - stunning colour and form

On the Fence about Garden Fencing?

Posted on August 18th, 2009

Many Homeowners are increasingly more aware of the importance of the background look and are looking much more critically at the garden fencing. For a much more clean, consistent and sophisticated look, many are choosing to install timber cladding to conceal unsightly and uneven flaws in existing garden walls/boundary fencing. Although some prefer a natural wood finish, more are taking the opportunity to introduce colour (light and dark tones) the latter is particularly effective for a touch of drama as well displaying plant forms and colour to great effect:

Soft look but durable finish

For deeper drama, keep it dark

For a brighter more delightful look, keep it bright

For a neutral but useful look, try rich green

Either way, timber wall cladding is beautiful and versatile solution and being pressure treated is an ideal long term finish to add traditional or contemporary atmosphere in a more unified way to your garden. 

Bright White Background

Posted on July 10th, 2009

A very recent garden project featured an interesting combination of granite paving/patio with nice bullnose profile on steps which looked particularly well with the vivid green lawn (note the explosive growth in less than 2 weeks) and the white bright painted finish of the timber wall cladding. 

A few before photos again illustrate how design and layout can make even a modest size urban space look bigger and brighter and much more appealing.

The white background works particularly well with the Olive trees to create a Mediterranean look.  

Townhouse Garden Design with Structure & Style

Posted on July 3rd, 2009

Earlier this year, the owner of a large Townhouse who was planning a major refurbishment of the property, contacted us to seek our advice and assistance to design and re-build a new garden to replace an old garden which had become overgrown with cumbersome planting and provided little means to enjoy any outdoor living.

The sample photos provide some evidence of how  jaded the garden had become. From the outset it was clear, that several elements demanded immediate attention, including provisioning of Patio area(s), a unified boundary which would not only be more defined but also conceal some of the rather unsightly appearances of the concrete posts and plinths of the panel fences as well as the exposed blockwork on the opposite boundary wall.

The side access although generous and long resembled more an alley way and displaying all the signs of having been overlooked. To complete the visual disharmony, concrete pathways were in abundance and exceptional number of AJs were all too conspicuous given the overall scale of the property.    

To begin with all tree and shrub planting was removed including all roots. The design plan was to instal wall cladding on all three sides of the boundary walls/fencing within the main garden. Plan included two Patio areas, one main and a smaller ‘Bistro size’ Patio nearer the house. All stone work (paving, setts and step risers) would be Indian Sandstone (Mint). The side access was also to be paved to link with main garden area, also a separate seating and planting area would also create a more secluded ’shaded garden’ space within this area, and a trellis screen would be used to screen waste bins at rear entrance and well away from the main garden area. Garden lighting was positioned to provide individual lighting zones (four in total: specimen planting, main patio and perimter borders, olive tree and side area), offering flexibility to light owner depending on use.

The appeal and simple line of timber cladding is well illustrated here and to conceal the rather uneven but distinctive curve section of walling, this was clad with a double  line of timber laths (fixed vertically) to provide a subtle but otherwise a favourable and compatible finish with the otherwise horizontal lines of the timber wall cladding. All timber works were painted in a dark tone of green to provide a uniform look but also a ‘green’ backdrop and less requirement for bulk planting.  The exception being a beatiful specimen of the Olive tree in rear corner to counter balance an otherwise dominant appearance of the main circular Patio.

From start to finish, this project was completed in less time than a typical  2 week summer holiday. A great surprise for the owner upon return.

As is the case in all gardens, but especially a  townhouse garden functionality is very important, space is a premium and in such cases although planting can and is also important, use of space is probably more important than appearance. However in this project and similar, where timber cladding is featured, the results clearly demonstrate that timber fencing/cladding can make a major contribution to achieving structure but style in a garden. In this instance I believe the green tones provide a relaxed and calming backdrop to the simple geometry of the layout and results in a garden that has not only clear useable spaces, defined gentle curves and a selection of planting that provides year round interest without any significant regular maintenance requirements.

In terms of design, structure, style and functionality are all critical elements of  successful townhouse garden design and attention to detail and quality of finish are essential pre-requisites.

Planting Garden Planters for instant pleasure

Posted on July 3rd, 2009

Using the innovative modular patented Deroma ‘Repeat’ Planters with carefully selected Specimen Plants provides not only a superb visual and fragrant treat but an instant and practical solution to achieving impact in the garden and patio areas featuring specimen and architectural plant stock.

The modular design of the Deroma ‘Repeat’ Planters makes them the obvious choice for an instant but imaginative and flexible choice for spatial definition, and featuring a clever internal automatic means of irrigating the plant rootball there is no more need need to worry and inconvenience of  regular watering of plants. Deroma ‘Repeat’ takes care of this, allowing you more time to relax and enjoy the views.

The featured installation demonstrates clearly the versatility of using the Deroma ‘Repeat’ planters in gardens and with some thoughful consideration of plant selections, superb compositions are within easy reach for instant pleasure.

 Deroma ‘Repeat’ range comprises of four unique planter types, the Rosenpot (Large individual planter) and the modular units, vase, corner and trough. All available from our showrooms: GARDENSTUDIO, in Terenure, Dublin 6W.