Advice Hub

​It's that time of year again when gardeners can be found busy planting bulbs. Whether it be for a clients garden or my own i use a selection of traditional favourites like Daffodils, Tulips and Alliums chosen for their hardiness, suitability for our local clay soils, height and most importantly their colour.  I like to create colour combinations which suit the planting designs i’m creating for each client.  Tulips are particularly useful for creating waves of colour in that first year whilst the other plants establish. Below are some of my favourites which can be picked up from garden centres now.
Tulips –They are available in every colour under the sun and look stunning through the months of March, April & May.  They can be planted directly in the ground or in plastic plots to be plunged into gaps in the border whilst they flower and then lifted out to make space for something else later on.  Tulips can look fantastic when planted in blocks for a contemporary look or in waves amongst other perennials... 

Privacy is a real hot topic in garden design at the moment. With new housing developments, space is at a premium and so often is privacy. I am regularly called to see gardens which are overlooked by neighbours, the clients keen to create a space which feels relaxing and private. I have looked at the 'hard landscaping' options like timber screening and structures in a previous article - 'Garden Screening - Using Structures for Privacy' and now i want to look at the greener option of using planting to form a secluded oasis of calm. 

I have been a professional Plantswoman for 20 years. The term 'Plantswoman' refers to a woman with a keen interest and wide knowledge of plants and their cultivation, and i have more than most! What sets me apart from many garden designers is my extensive knowledge of plants, which is unrivaled locally. I design gardens too of course but what really sets me apart is the two decades worth of experience working on plant nurseries and my garden expertise and know-how gleamed from growing, tending, sell plants and advising those wanting to create their own little oasis in their gardens. That's why i call myself a Plantswoman rather than just a Garden Designer. 
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Following 20 years of intense immersion in all things horticultural, i have developed an encyclopedic knowledge of garden plants, their habits, needs and how to use the right plant in the right place. I use this expertise on a daily basis to design, create and manage gardens across Leicestershire. The story of my career goes some way to explaining how and why i became a plantswoman, how i have gleamed my knowledge and reputation as a garden and plant expert and why i love doing what i do.....

Most of my recent projects have included an arbour, pergola, arcade or similar structure within the design. Often i'm asked by clients to create some privacy within the space as so often gardens are overlooked by neighbours and these structures can do just that. Some gardens simply benefit from a structure giving height to the space and drawing your eye upwards - a great trick for making a space seem larger.  Garden arbours are useful for creating shade from the sun during the summer months so are ideally placed over patios in sunny spots. I also use garden structures to create zones or rooms within a garden which can make a space seem larger and i love to uses arches for sculptural purposes - to frame a view or pathway.  So what is the difference between a Pergola, Arbour etc... 
Arbours - a free-standing structure most often covered in climbing plants 
Arcades - a series of arches often over a pathway
Pergolas - a covered walkway, traditionally constructed of a double row of upright posts with support cross beams. These can also be attached to a wall along onside to form a shelter. 
Arch - typically consisting of a pair of upright posts with a cross support beam.
​And how can we use them in the garden.....

Increasingly often I’m being contacted by home owners who are overlooked by neighbours and would like more privacy.  I find that new build homes are often overlooked from all sides and can have as many as 5 neighboring properties having a clear view into the garden and through windows.
There are several options i recommend for screening in such circumstances. The style of the garden, level of maintenance required and the budget are all things i take into account when selecting the right option for a garden design plan.
Contemporary slatted screening:  A form of screening i’m using in a lot of gardens currently to give a modern sleek look. It can effectively screen unsightly buildings and shed, add height to boundaries and it can be used within the garden space to create zones. Depending on budget, there are several timber options to choose from – treated soft wood right through to beautiful hardwoods.
Bespoke timber screening:  Where height is required, free-standing timber screens can be erected. Using sturdy posts, bespoke trellis work can be designed and attached to give a screen above existing fencing....