Advice Hub

I was contacted by the owners of this garden back in July 2018.  They had just bought the property and were having an extension built at the time. I visited shortly afterwards to see how we could transform the  rough messy lawn and overgrown shrubs into a low maintenance elegant space for the clients to enjoy.  They longed for a greenhouse, planting beds and seating areas for entertaining family.  There was limited space to play with and the garden was overlooked by several neighboring properties. 

Bel created 2D and 3D design plans and visuals for the garden to show the clients how the space could be transformed. These were accompanied by mood boards showing the features for the space along with dimensional plans for the landscapers to use whilst setting out the various patio, pathway and planting beds. A scope of works was also provided which detailed the work involved in landscaping the garden and which could be used by the landscaper to draw up a quote for the works. Find out more about the Garden Design Process ...

For all projects, regardless of size i like to provide my clients with as much information as possible - plenty of detail about the features, style and layout of the space plus in depth information for the landscapers to quote and build from. So what can you expect from Garden Design Package?  The following images represent the documents presented to clients on a project in Loughborough. The garden has now been landscaped as shown below.

A pack of detailed documents was provided to the owners of this recently renovated property at the Concept Design Presentation. The pack included:

​Garden Design Plan - A detailed 2D colour plan, drawn to scale showing the proposed layout for the garden including paving, pathways, lawn, edgings, terracing, planting beds etc. The plan is annotated with notes relating to the features in the garden.  These plans are produced digitally so they are accurate, clear and easy to interpret. 

Mood Boards - Quality colour mood boards printed on photo paper which convey the mood of the proposed scheme, including landscaping materials, features and planting style

3D Visuals - A series of 3D plans showing various views of the garden to assist in conveying the style, layout and feel of the space. These are created digitally and typically colour rendered...

What very strange times we are living through at the moment! Whilst vast teams of carers, food distribution works, politicians, amongst others, fight the war on Covid 19 so many of use are heeding the advice to stay at home. 
Stuck within the confines of our homes and gardens it's easy to get restless and we all need something to keep us busy. So i urge you to get out into your garden (following the social distancing guidelines obviously!). 
The sun is shining and spring has arrived so with more time on our hands now is a perfect opportunity to take a look at what we have and make the most of it. 
​FREE GARDENING ADVICE >>> There are lots of articles on the ADVICE HUB which i have written to inspire your next project, be it ideas for screening, paving, planting borders and pots, encouraging wildlife, transforming small gardens and so much more. 
And what's more it's all free advice and at your disposal!...
If you'd like more detailed advice about your garden project, i am taking bookings for remote consultations. Get in touch to find out more

Bare-root plants are pretty easy to plant. Choose a day which is frost free and when the soil is not waterlogged.  Keep the roots of the new plants cool &moist (not wet) until you are ready to plant.
How to plant a bare-root tree:

1. Turn the ground adding plenty of compost & fertiliser
2. Dig a whole large enough to accommodate the spread of the roots
3. Place the tree in the whole ensuring the roots will be covered and the base of the tree is at the right level. Fan out the roots.
4. Place a tree stake alongside the stem & between the roots. Tap in to give the tree support & add a tree tie.
5. Back fill the hole, firming the soil and water the area thoroughly...

When the trees start to lose thier leaves at this time of year it's a sure sign that the dormant season is upon us. It’s the perfect time to transplant bare-root plants – those which have been raised in a field and then lifted & the soil removed. The added bonus of bare-root plants is that they are much cheaper than container grown plants.
 Autumn is a good time to plant them as there’s time for them to settle and establish before the warmth of the spring comes.  Trees & shrubs are available bare-root and from November onwards they’ll be offered in garden centres, nurseries and online.  As the plants are dormant there’s not much to look at but when selecting plants look for undamaged branches & bark to ensure the plants are fit and healthy...

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.....