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.

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

Landscaping with Ravena Sandstone paving

Posted on August 6th, 2009

A recent garden landscaping project completed in Blackrock, Dublin incorporated an interesting combination of features including Extended Patio areas, sweeping Sandstone Garden pathway, Sandstone Raised Bed which amongst other items included a Mill Wheel water feature, some very attractive Olive Standards, a new  fence constructed from pressure treated Timber cladding and discreet lighting using the latest high output low energy LED lighting.

The photos were taken during wet conditions which perhaps is useful to see how beautifully vivid and varied the colours of natural Sandstone can be. In this project the Sandstone paving (and wall capping) is Ravena, an increasingly popular alternative choice to the more widely used Sandstone Mint. Ravena appeals to those who prefer to have a more muted tones in dry conditions to the ubiquitous yellow tones typical of Sandstone Mint. Another feature of Ravena is the pink/wine colourways which are much more evident during wet conditions. On closer examination some hints of the yellow tones are also visible.

The Raised Planted Bed was constructed using White Sandstone and the wall capping is of course Ravena sandstone. The layout was designed to be essentially one level thus maximising the use of the various areas and also  providing some additional flexibility to the use of the recessed paved area. This approach also influenced the layout of the Raised bed which was essentially linear but incorporated a full circle to circumvent the Mill Wheel water feature which the clients were keen to incorporate in the new scheme. Looking at the photos the colour of the Mill Wheel is remarkably similar to the Ravena Sandstone.

I would also like to point out the results of the skill and workmanship in several aspects of the paved areas including the linear and curve cutting and installation. Grass margins were re-defined to conform with the new levels set by the paving hence the extended soil areas adjoining the old lawn and new paved sections.

Frequently we receive feedback on how useful and informative our SUNBLOG is to readers seeking design and layout ideas.  I also receive requests from readers to show more ‘Before’ as well as ‘After’ photos from our project portfolio. So here are a few ‘Before’ photos from this particular project.  

Soothing Sound – Ideas for Water Features

Posted on January 9th, 2008

The soothing sound of cascading water can create a relaxing and welcome feature in any garden. Landscape Designer Owen Chubb turns on some ideas.

HOUSE architecture l design l garden l advice Autumn/Winter Issue 2006/2007 (pdf)

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)