​Prior to us planting, this area had been given over to bamboo.  Unfortunately, the bamboo had blocked out significant light and its density felt claustrophobic. 

Our brief, therefore, was to select planting that would grow to only a moderate height and to introduce some colour to this South-facing terrace made of gorgeous wooden sleepers. 

​Reluctant to rely on flowers alone, since blossom can come and go relatively quickly, we made sure to include several grasses with impactful colouring (Imperata cylindrica 'Red Baron' or Japanese Blood Grass and Hakonechloa macra 'Aureola' or Japanese Forest Grass) alongside some deep red foliaged plants (Sedum 'Black Emporer'and Loropetalum chinense or Chinese Fringe Flower').

Spent a lovely week in the Brecon Beacons getting some valuable carpentry tuition (team effort to build a Composting Loo!)

More showcasing of our work in the large garden at the Air BnB Mayfield Hideaway.  

This particular bed flanks the entrance to the Hideaway where first impressions are important.

Upon Completion (July):

​Upon Completion (May):

In our most ambitious project to date, we addressed some forlorn patches of this gorgeous cottage's garden in Ashbourne in the Peak District   https://mayfieldhideaway.com/ .  This bed is located right outside the doorway of the converted barn so we got to work making it look pretty.

​

After (September 2020):

​After(May 2020):

During:

The plan:

Prior:

This South facing garden situated in East Finchley had already beautifully shaped curved beds in the foreground to work with.  Although the weeds had moved in, the basics were there and such wide, spacious beds were a joy to plan the planting for.  

Like the rest of the world, we have not ventured much at all from home these past few strange months. Very happy at the announcement that garden centres are again open and enjoying the footfall that will hopefully keep them in business.  
Very happy also to get back to some of our clients' gardens.  Where side passages allow access and an appropriate distance can be maintained we are back at work.  Today I'll be putting in the planting I was expecting to be putting in in March; the world has changed somewhat since then.  It has been a sobering time, with a lot of loss endured by many.  Naturally, the quiet time has given rise to reflection and this has affirmed to me there is nothing I'd rather be doing with my life than being a gardener and plantswoman.
​Hope you are safe and stay well.

Latest planting plan submitted for our new client in East Finchley.  This is for a deep border that is shaded for a large part of the day by a majestic mature Oak located within the same garden.

The crux of the plan is a matrix of the low growing Adiantum pedantum fern with a smattering of shimmering grass (Deschampsia cespitosa 'Goldtau').  From out of this rise tall spires of  honey-coloured Digitalis ferruginea, which will keep their impressive shape well into the winter.

Today, collecting around a tonne of heat-treated compost to use as a sterile mulch on which to sow a new meadow section we're creating as part of the renovation of a lovely garden in Ashbourne, the Peak District.

Following a sketch of the existing layout of this garden in Hendon is a first draft of the planting overhaul requested.  New plant suggestions are made to fit around the existing structure (there is already a fantastic mature Camellia, Fatsa japonica and Rhododendren in situ).

Second draft sees substitution of the plants that may struggle in this particular garden, which has a North facing aspect and therefore lives mostly in the shadow of the house.  Such shade will naturally lead to moister soil conditions, which in turn will influence plant selections.

12th October '19  RHS Wisley visit