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

Garden Summerhouses – more room for Outdoor living

Posted on October 15th, 2009

When it comes to creating more room for enjoying or making more use of the Irish garden, our beautiful but elegant Victorian Summerhouses are a classic but exquiste solution. Here are some photos from recently installed Victorian Summerhouses. In both cases the larger size model (diameter 12′ 0″/ 3600mm) is featured with some optional finishes.

The Victorian Summerhouse is ideal for a range of purposes/applications including Garden Room, Home Office, Art Studio, Music Practice Room. For more details :  http://www.owenchubblandscapers.com/summerhouses/

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.

Planter gardening

Posted on June 25th, 2009

Here are a few photographic examples from a recent project in which the client required an instant but attractive garden featuring subtle tones. The task was to design  a planting scheme using a Planter layout which would provide some screening of patio areas but also good access and visibility to lawn and wider garden areas. 

Here we feature a range of specimen plants in an eye catching arrangement whilst exploiting the unique modular design features of the Deroma Repeat Planter range. 

The Deroma Repeat series is available from GARDENSTUDIO, Terenure, Dublin 6W. For more details: info@owenchubblandscapers.com

HAMMOCKS – a heavenly feeling in the garden

Posted on June 9th, 2009

What better way to enjoy those lazy hazy sunny summer days than facing skywards enjoying a gentle soothing slumber in a beautiful robust weatherproofed (frame) Hammock? There’s hardly a more affordable and enjoyable way to enjoy Outdoor Living!

Made from pressure treated spruce and a resilent heavy duty cotton canvass, this is the timeless classic for all gardens great and small. The classic hammock is a great and fun addition to any garden. Kids go crazy for them, and adults love them.

We all deserve a little TLC and this is a very affordable and long lasting way, to indulge in summertime bliss, year after year. Available from our GARDENSTUDIO with prices starting at only € 295.00 (Flatpacked).

Easy to follow self assembly instructions are enclosed. Simply add fun.

 Only limited stocks available from:

Enjoy low maintenance planting with colour and form

Posted on July 21st, 2008

More tips on some of our favourite plants, two groups which we use quite extensively in our planting schemes especially for low maintenance gardens: Hebes and Ornamental Grasses. Although both of these groups are very well established with many traditional and popular varieties to choose from, in recent years some fantastic new very colourful and compact growing varieties have also become available. Hebes boast stunning colourful leaf and together with a long flowering period with a possible second flush in September following a light trim, makes them ideal for all gardens but especially the smaller gardens where space is a premium and all year round colour and interest an essential prerequisite. Our favourite Hebes include:

Hebe ‘Magic Summer’

A spherical growth habit and growing to approximately 80cm (just under 3’ 0”) in height and 100cm (just over 3’0” in width). The leaves are greyish white and in winter and spring time change colour to deep purple. In summer elongated light purple flowers appear. Spent flowers should be removed, and this plant likes a well-drained soil and a sheltered spot. Lightly prune (light clip) in early summer. This plant is reasonably hardy and is suitable for planting in the garden, balcony or patio containers.

Hebe ‘Goldrush’

An unusual Hebe that reaches a height of 30-40cm (12”-15”) and a fabulous plant for the garden, balcony or patio container. The growing points are a beautiful yellow colour and in late spring and in early summer the plant produces pink flowers, which are really pretty and eye catching. In early spring the growing points are reddish, forming a striking contrast with the yellow foliage. Hebe ‘Goldrush’ should be planted in a sheltered spot, in well drained soil. Trim lightly and dead head after flowering.

Fuchsia diva ‘Whitney’

Growing only 20cm high and 25 cm wide (< 12”) this fuchsia is ideal for in bedding displays, summer containers or at the front of a mixed shrubbery. Best planted individually or in irregular groups, Fuchsia diva ‘Whitney’ is an ideal compact early flowering fuchsia and an easy to maintain plant. Preferring sun or partial shade in a well drained soil, you’re guaranteed a profusion of pink and violet flowers in summer. Tip: after planting, the rootball should be marginally below the soil surface. Water well after planting.

Acorus gram. Ogon

One of the best in its class, with a bright yellow leaf and central green or white stripe, is a low growing ornamental grass. It is a very decorative plant with several good qualities. Low growing, so perfect for the smaller garden (we plant them regularly in water features and rockeries). Flowering panicles from May to October. A relatively trouble free and easy plant, position in sun or part shade. Cut of panicles after the flowering. Tip: makes a striking edging along the front of a flower bed.

Sesleria caerulea

One to find but well worth the search. This blue moor grass forms basal mounds of blue foliage, topped by small spike like panicles. Grows to 30cm (12”) tall and best in full sun or light shade. Flowers from March to May and is planted to great effect in groups as groundcover or individually around water features. Evergreen and impressive.

Planning Your Perfect Outdoor Living

Posted on January 9th, 2008

Owen Chubb, Landscape Designer, offers some practical advice on designing, building and planting your Outdoor Living Space.

HOUSE architecture l design l garden l advice Summer Issue 2006 (pdf)

Outdoor Living, The Perfect Summer Garden

Posted on January 9th, 2008

Article on planning your outdoor living space including selecting the right position for the garden patio, using plants to create interesting garden design perspectives, add some soothing but stylish water features and get more from your perfect garden by using garden lighting more effectively.

DNG: City & Town, May 2006 (pdf).