Advice Hub

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....

​We often neglect our front gardens as we spend so little time in them, choosing to relax and entertain in the privacy of our back gardens.  However as we use them numerous times a day when we leave and return to our home, with a little effort a neat, tidy and uncluttered front garden can be a very welcome site at the end on a hard day at work.  The way we present our front garden also sets the tone for our home so considering the garden design and planting design options is worthwhile. Unlike our secluded rear gardens the space at the front of our property is on show to all of those who pass by, our visitors, our neighbours and even the postie! Whether you have a small postage stamp size space or a grand sweeping driveway, sprucing up the front garden is a benefit not only to ourselves but to our community too.  ​

Image - Marshalls Drivesett Tegula permeable paving blocks 

Continuing on from my previous post about selecting annual plants for pots to give summer colour in the garden, i often use perennials plant too. These will happily survive in pots for several years if given the right care. I'm planning a future post about making the post of your garden plants so check back soon....

Perennials & Grasses for Summer pots
Perennials offer a more long-term solution, often looking good for several years before they need revamping or moving on into the garden.  I have several pots which contain a mixture of perennials to give colour on and off all through the year.  My favourites are the Hardy Gerberas and Hardy Osteospermum like O. ‘Tresco Purple’which will reliably flower from June onwards, rest during the winter and then start again the following spring. For small post in a sunny position, Scabiosa shown in the picture are perfect as they flower for months on end with little care.
Along with the perennials I plant grasses like Carex ‘Evergold’, Ophiopogon nigrescens (the black grass) and Festuca ‘Elijah Blue’. These all give evergreen colour and texture.  For the trailers I use Thyme or Ajuga (Bugle) for evergreen foliage and colourful flowers – usually available in the alpine section at the garden centre/nursery.

​Shrubs can also be planted in pots for summer interest. In my next post i'll be suggesting a few to give summer colour to the garden.