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

Limestone Patios – a dark and distinctive appeal

Posted on July 14th, 2010

Limestone paving may not be quite as popular as the more lighter tones of Sandstone, but unquestionably Limestone is a beautiful example of natural paving. Similar to all natural paving which when wet, the colours appear much more vibrant, but few will match the distinctive appeal of Limestone.  The bold dark tones of natural Limestone are perhaps more evocative of a modern urban design but are reminiscent of a bolder and more confident colour scheme and a perfect contrast to the brighter colour palettes of planting and lawn areas.

And because of its natural darker tones, Limestone paving also has the distinct advantage of reduced maintenance and less cleaning.

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.

Designs for low maintenance Townhouse Garden Patio

Posted on May 16th, 2010

Here’s a practical and attractive solution for a  good size Town House garden in which the owner expressed interest for a bright, practical but low maintenance garden design. The solution featured a combination of Indian Sandstone Paving (Mint) along with Sandstone Kerbing for the Raised edges and Ballylusk Stone chippings.  To emphasise a more informal structure a curvolinear layout was selected for the patio areas as well as Stepping Stone style pathways. 

A simple layout with designs to appeal, which is well executed and a very affordable solution for a low maintenance Townhouse Garden Patio.

Granite Garden Patios

Posted on April 29th, 2010

Work is proceeding on new garden project and as can be seen from the photos, Boundary walls are being rendered, Raised Perimeter Planting Beds almost ready for Granite Wall Capping and the Granite garden patio is becoming more evident. Despite the typical appearance of building ‘work in progress’, the signs are present of the emergence of a distinctive modern urban garden.

Sandstone Garden Patios

Posted on November 14th, 2009

Our efforts over the last twelve weeks are now coming to fruition, and as we begin to complete our final touches, all aspects are begining to come to light and reveal with great excitement the pleasing lines, levels and of course the natural beauty and colour of natural sandstone patios.  In this project we have used Ravena sandstone for all patio works.

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

Sandstone Setts – the design features

Posted on October 6th, 2009

Natural Sandsone Setts are an appealing and versatile element for inclusion in any garden design project. Available in a range (light, medium and indeed dark tones) of colours and sizes, they are ideal as a practical lawn edge, permanently defining the lawn profile, a robust barrier/buffer between lawn making them an ideal mowing strip (Tip: the sett level should be 25 mm/1″ below lawn level and also no need for a strimmer!).  Setts can also be used very effectively to separate lawn from planted or indeed pebbled areas, make an attractive trim to pathways as well as Patios.

Installing setts as a lawn edge is relatively straight forward, first excavate channel, place hardcore in end of channel, and carefully position setts in a sand cement bed (typically 75mm/3″ deep), ensuring that the setts are straight (linear layout) or concentric (use builders line to check each sett) if design is a radial. Each sett should be embedded securely or well haunched, and each sett should be checked with spirit level. A few photos from our current project will help to illustrate these points: 

Excavate channel

Put hardcore (foundation) in base of excavated channel

Lining up setts alongside prepared channel makes for speedy installation

Sand & cement is used to secure Sandstone Setts in situ

Utilising Sandstone Setts to profile Patio and lawn edge

Sandstone Setts make an attractive finish to Patio edge

Patio Garden

Posted on October 3rd, 2009

More photos from work in progress on Sandstone Patio works, Retaining Wall with integrated steps and excavated channel for Sandstone lawn edgings.

Garden Patios, design details in construction

Posted on October 1st, 2009

As with many aspects of life, the beauty and appeal of well designed garden Patios is not only to be found in the design detail but also within the constructional details. Natural stone paving such as Indian Sandstone can produce fantastic results. Time, care and attention are all pre-requisite, experienced and skilful cutting and installtion are essential but the results ALWAYS provide the desired results. 

The attached photos from our current project clearly illustrate many of these key points, Sandstone Paving (Ravena) in a range of sizes, several individual hand cut pieces to complete the random joint pattern, Sandstone Kerbs used as Step Risers and Sandstone Setts for Patio perimeter trims.  

Sandstone Steps

Laying Sandstone Slab on Sand & Cement Bed

Sandstone Paving featuring Random Joint Pattern

Sandstone Paving with Step Detail and Sett Trim

Sandstone Patio with consistent line profile

Sandstone Patio over split levels

Hard Garden Landscaping

Posted on September 30th, 2009

Some more photos to show progress on our Hard Landscaping works, ie, constructing Raised Sandstone Walls, Sandstone (Ravena) Garden Patios and link Sandstone Pathways. Some photos also show preliminary ground preparation including Hardcore Foundations (Sub-base)  for paved areas and also one (Vegetable garden area) of the several new  water taps installed throughout the garden.

Later this week we will commence marking out the garden for installation of lawn edging (Sandstone Sett) which will permanently define the lawn profile and separate it clearly from perimeter planted areas. As the hard landscaping works progresses, work will shortly commence on the installation of garden lighting ahead of the soft landscaping elements which include tree and shrub planting, ground grading and preparation for installation of roll turf lawn.