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

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

Granite Driveways

Posted on April 12th, 2009

In recent months we’ve enjoyed considerable demand for our services to design and install Front Gardens featuring Granite Driveway areas. For me Granite is a most beautiful natural stone with extraordinary high durability, and because it is relatively easy to maintain , rarely requiring more than one annual wash down with the power washer to remove accumulated surface grime. Granite is a stone of timeless quality and is well suited for homes with distinctive architectural heritage and design from traditional classicism to  stark contemporary urbanism.

TREES for Screens

Posted on April 5th, 2009

The need for screening is common to many gardens and a requirement which can cause many gardeners much upset and annoyance. Whether the need originates from recent change,  completion of new building works,  or provide shelter from a intrusive wind, or simply block an unwanted view, the choice of screening deserves careful consideration, especially in small sites and/or built up urban environments. Although some might still choose to plant inexpensive and fast growing evergreen trees like Leylandii, increasingly gardeners are seeking alternatives and growing interest and willingness to select a more subtle screen. Here I would like to provide some details of popular choices for trees but it would be wrong to omit any reference to Bamboo, technically a  member of the grass family, is a hugely popular choice for providing screening. Not surprising when one considers the general growth characteristics of certain bamboo, upright growth (> 4.0m) with small foot print (c 1.5m-2.0m), Phyllostachs ‘Aurea’ is a vigorous and evergreen choice. Apart form requiring some attention during the settling in phase (initial 3-6 months) Bamboos are thereafter independent grow well especially in sheletered sites. They are expensive to buy but otherwise offer ideal growth characteristics for screening apllications. There are several Bamboo varieties from which to choose for screening.   

Trees seem to fall in and out of fashion, but as the market re-discovers old reliables, gardeners seeking solutions for screening are prepared to be more adventurous and new alternatives are also becoming very popular:

Malus ‘Evereste’ (ornamental crab apple) is a conical tree with lobed leaves and ideal specimen for small gardens. Malus is one of the best for early spring blossom with eye-catching red buds and fantastic autumnal fruit.

Olive ‘Europea’ when it comes to selecting a stunning evergreen specimen, the olive tree with its silvery green foliage and rugged stems are certainly a very popular choice. Slow growing and easy to maintain looks great in a row or as a specimen.

Crataegus laevigata ‘Paul’s Scarlet’ (Hawthorn) offers a very interesting spring and autumn colour. A popular deciduous tree with red blooms in May and deep red berries in autumn.

Betula jacquemontii (Himalayan Birch) a very popular deciduous tree with architects is increasingly winning favour with gardeners for its striking peeling white bark scored with dark lines. Unlike the common Silver Birch (Betula Pendula) the leaves of the Betula Himalayan are oval turning golden yellow in autumn. Great planted in a row or for added interest as a specimen look out for a multi-stem.

Sorbus acuparia ‘Autumn Spire’ is a relatively new variety of Mountain Ash, boasting an extraordinary compact and upright growth habit. The popular columnar tree has fantastic fine cut foliage and glossy yellow berries with red tinge making it an ideal choice for growing in a row to provide a dappled screen. Excellent red coloured foliage in Autumn can provide added interest in the planted border.

The list is by no means exhaustive and other trees worthy of consideration include Amelanchier (Ornamental cherry), Sorbus ‘Joseph Rock’ (Mt Ash), Pyrus calleryana ‘Chanticleer’ (Ornamental Pear).

Ultimately choice of screening will be largely influenced by urgency of requirements including immediacy and extent required, but perhaps before making final decisions, it might be more beneficial for garden to use  some trees which offer an alternative but unique ‘dappled’ alternative to the previous ubiquitous opaque Leylandii look which has had many disatrous consequences for owners, gardens, etc.