Bel Grierson Garden Designer & Plantswoman Loughborough Leicestershire
tel. 07506 750250
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  • About Us
  • Garden Design
    • 3D Garden Visuals
  • Planting Design
  • Portfolio
  • Advice Consultations
  • Advice Hub
  • FAQ
  • CONTACT

Advice Hub - Garden and Planting Advice from the Expert

Casestudy - Cottage Garden Transformation in Nottingham

16/6/2023

 
Cottage Garden Design Project
Phase 1 complete
Cottage Garden Design Project
Back in March 2021, Bel was contacted by the owners of a converted Farmhouse property in the village of Wilford, on the outskirts of Nottingham. The quiet walled garden belied the proximity to the city centre, offering a secluded traditional country feel to the space.

The garden had been landscaped around 15 years previously so the plot had good bone structure and features which the clients were keen to keep. ​What was suffering was the planting, which although the clients were keen gardeners, had become old, tired and difficult to manage easily.

​Bel was called in to create new planting schemes, arrange for her team to clear and prepare the ground for replanting and then install the new planting. The project was tackled in two phases in Autumn 2021 and Spring 2022.

Initially Bel looked at tackling the 'Gravel Garden' on the sunny south facing wall as Phase 1. Weeds and self seeded perennials we becoming a nuisance amongst the gravel and there were a few stumps in the ground to be removed...


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Inspirational Gardens - The Hepworth Sculpture Garden @ St Ives

14/3/2023

 
Barbara Hepworth Sculpture Garden
The Barbara Hepworth Sculpture Garden is definitely worth a visit if you happen to be in St Ives in Cornwall.  We visited on a warm and sunny day in June 2022 and the enclosed oasis of greenery was very welcome in the heat. The sculptures Barbara created in her workshop on site, nestle in amongst the verdant planting and act as a wonderful background to some really stunning organic forms. 

The planting mainly consists of shrubs and some grassy forms in various shades of green and there is a pretty lean to greenhouse with terracotta pots of pelargoniums and cacti. 

For more info visit:
Barbara Hepworth Sculpture Garden St Ives

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Farmhouse Country Garden - Planting Design Project

26/11/2021

 
Farmhouse Country Garden
A collaboration with landscaping company Soar Valley Services Ltd, Bel was asked to design and install the planting design scheme for this large family garden. Following the major re-landscaping efforts to transform the former Farmhouse land with water features, terracing, stone walling and paving using reclaimed yorkstone, the garden was ready to plant in Autumn of 2020.   
​The clients had moved from an established garden and brought with them several Roses and Hydrangeas which were incorporated into the scheme, alongside evergreen shrubs, ornamental grasses and colourful perennials for a splash of colour throughout the seasons...


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Know Your Plants - Shrubs, Sub-Shrubs, Wall Shrubs & Trees

27/8/2021

 
Euphorbia Shrub
The variety of plants available to gardeners is almost limitless, and can seem daunting when you are learning their names and how to care for them. Here we examine the difference between Shrubs, Sub-Shrubs, Wall Shrubs & Trees.

Shrubs - Often used as anchor plants within a border, they provide the structure which perennials lack. Shrubs grow a woody framework which they retain year on year. This framework is generally pruned to shape rather than being cut back to ground level like perennials. The woody framework bears the foliage and flowers on it’s stems. Roses are a classic example of a shrub (although often you see them classified into their own category)...

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Know Your Plants - Annuals versus Perennials

25/6/2021

 
Geranium
The variety of plants available to gardeners is almost limitless, and can seem daunting when you are learning their names and how to care for them. So what are Perennials and how do they differ from Annuals and Biennials? 
Annuals - These are fast-growing flowering plants are easy to grow from seed and perfect for filling gaps in borders with short-term colour. Annuals grow, flower, set seed and die, all in the space of one year.As annuals only grow for one season, once they have finished flowering they can be removed from the planting area. Examples of annuals are - Pot Marigolds, Cornflowers, Corn Poppies, Cosmos.

​Biennials​...

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How To Select the Best Plants For Your Garden

28/5/2021

 
Cowslip plant
​In the 20 years i’ve been involved in the horticultural trade i must have grown several million plants destined for gardens across the East Midlands. Being a professional grower and plantswoman i know what to look for in terms of plant quality and health when selecting plants for a clients garden or my own. If you are visiting a garden centre or nursery, here are my tips for buy the best plants you can...

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Our Arts and Crafts inspired Garden at the BGGD HQ

23/4/2021

 
Cottage Garden Style Planting
Cottage Garden Style Planting
I love colour! And now where is it more present than in the Sun Terrace Borders of my own garden in June & July!  A 'room' within my garden, the sun terrace was created to make the most of the early morning and evening sun. A slender rectangle of sandstone paving, with a central feature pointing towards North, South, East and West, there is a beautiful teak bench on the East and West axis, which are perfect for soaking up the sun rays. 
The paving is surrounded by deep borders filled with a riotous selection of perennials, and a few select shrubs and grasses. The planting provides year-round colour and interest but reaches a crescendo in the early summer months. 
Cottage Garden Style Planting

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Learn how to Grow Delicious Herbs in your Garden

25/9/2020

 
Chives
Chives
As we’ve all been forced to spend more time at home and less time socialising this year, many of us are reconnecting with our gardens and creating tasty food to feed our loved ones. One way of combining the too is to grow your own produce. Herbs must be the best crop if you’re looking for a low maintenance option, where by you have little input but can regularly harvest fresh and delicious leaves as and when you need them.
I love to cook & popping out and pick something to flavour a casserole, curry or sauce is a real treat. I tend to use the hardy evergreen herbs like Rosemary & Sage in the winter months & the softer perennial & tender herbs like Basil, Mint and Coriander in the spring & summer.

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How To Plant Bare-root Hedging and Trees

6/3/2020

 
Picture
Picture
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...

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Evergreen Shrubs for Winter Interest

10/1/2020

 

As featured on 'Thompson & Morgans' Blog August 2022 

Mahonia
Thanks to the Blog team at Thompson and Morgan for featuring us as one of their Plant Experts on there Winter Shrub Masterclass post Aug 2022.
Read their Post here 
The beauty of using evergreens in the garden is obvious in that they provide the basic structure of the garden. Many a garden has a handful of evergreen shrubs dotted around to fill in gaps or screen off walls and fences. Often they tend to look pretty boring – dark green foliage with little in the way of interest. But if you choose wisely, you can select evergreens to add colour, texture, flower and a fresh look during the grey winter months. Here are some of my favourites:
Mahonia – Some gardeners will know Mahonia as a brut of a plant which when not controlled can become a thorny monster!The new cultivar M. ‘Soft Caress’ is a much smaller dainty cousin of the above, with yellow blooms and soft thorn free feathery foliage – good for pots.  However if you need a tall plant which will cope with clay soil and shade then M. ‘Winter Sun’ is the plant for you. It flowers prolifically during the winter with bright yellow flowers over deep green foliage. This one will get to 6ft plus but can be pruned back every 3 years or so to keep it under control...

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    Welcome to the
    ADVICE HUB

    Picture
    ​Here you'll find lots of useful information, Tips, Ideas and Advice on Garden Design, Planting Design, Garden Maintenance and on how to get the most from your outdoor space. 

    ​Need more help from a Garden Expert? Book a
    Garden Advice Consultation 

    Author: Bel Grierson

    Expert Plantswoman and Garden Designer with 21+ years experience in horticulture.  Bel loves to share her knowledge and enthusiasm with those with gardens large and small.

    Budgeting for a garden transformation? Check out these articles:
     Garden Design Project
    Planting Design Project
    What's included in a Design Package? Take a look at these articles for more info:
    Garden Design Package
    Planting Design Package
    Garden Designer v Landscaper.. Which to Choose? Check out this article:
    Designer v Landscaper

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We are absolutely delighted with our beautiful new garden designed and installed by Bel! We had an unusually shaped garden which we didn't have the knowledge to handle, but at the same time had quite specific ideas of what we liked and disliked. Bel listened to our ideas and the challenge didn't phase her at all! The preparation of the the soil by her team, and the planting of the garden by Bel herself over three days couldn't have gone smoother. We would highly recommend Bel in terms of her expertise, conscientiousness and friendly, easy going personality and we can't stop looking at our amazing new garden!

Mrs Prist, Melton Mowbray, Leicestershire

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"Bel is brilliant. Easy to work with. Lots of ideas and plans but great at listening and quickly tapping into what you like, want and need. She has bags of style with a healthy dose of practicality and is 100% reliable. Totally recommend." ​

Mrs Munden - Thrussington, Leicestershire

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"Bel delivered professional advice in a friendly way after she had established what her clients wished to achieve.  All in all - it has been a pleasure to work with her"

Mrs Harrison - Woodhouse Eaves, Leicestershire

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"If you are looking for advice on your garden or a new designs then look no further than Bel Grierson. We have used her on several aspects of our garden to lower the maintenance and update the planting with spectacular results. Bel is easy to work with and is totally in tune with all our requirements."

Mr Stapleton - Rothley, Leicestershire

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"Bel has delivered a delightful garden with a design that has transformed a shallow plot surrounded by fences, into a garden full of interest.  Bel listened carefully to our concerns and gave her total attention to each step of the way." ​​

Mr & Mrs Bayley - Loughborough, Leicestershire

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​​"Our 20 year old garden was looking tired and boring. No colour and a mishmash of plants that were past their sell-by date. We had no idea what to do to rescue the situation as we knew very little about what plants would do well. Then we found Bel. Our garden is transformed; beautiful colour that just keeps coming all through the year, easy maintenance and a joy to sit and look at with an appropriate glass in one hand. Bel interpreted our thoughts perfectly and has produced an extraordinary result. She is patient with non-gardeners, knowledgeable and highly professional. Not afraid to get her hands dirty and endlessly helpful. I simply cannot recommend her too highly."

Mr & Mrs Benussi - Ashby de la Zouch, Leicestershire

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"Bel redesigned and planted our garden this summer. It has transformed it from dark and dingy to a fresh open space. Bel is a pleasure to work with, friendly and helpful, full of ideas and always ready to listen to what you want and find the best way of delivering it. Recommended!"

Mr Goodman - Loughborough, Leicestershire

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​"Bel provided good advice and warm, friendly and professional support at all stages of our garden transformation. Her knowledge about plants and her design ideas gave us confidence from the outset. We are delighted with the result, and now look forward to enjoying our new garden in the months and years to come."

Mr Corner - Rearsby, Leicestershire

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"Bel has recently redesigned a large area in my garden which was previously a 'wilderness'. I was very pleased with the design that she came up with - it was clear that she had paid attention to what I had said I wanted and understood my style. Great communication throughout the process and now that the planting is finished I am looking forward to next spring and watching it develop."

Mrs Phillips - Ratby, Leicestershire

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Thank you very much Bel for your design to renovate our back garden. It’s been great to work with you, we really appreciated spending time with you to hear your ideas and develop those with you for a new vision for our garden. We love the pond and wild at the back of the garden and the new plants you’ve sourced have all settled in very well and we are excited to see how they will grow!

Mr & Mrs Adshead, Loughborough

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Absolutely delighted with our new garden. Bel’s design carefully incorporated all of our wish list and much much more. 
Receiving the designs far exceeding our expectations and her subsequent coordination with her recommended landscapers made the project go without a hitch allowing us to work full time throughout, returning home to a little more transformation each day! 
Her planting scheme was the cherry on the top. It's beautiful and we couldn't be happier with it. Eight weeks post planting the garden is thriving and we're really enjoying pottering around tending to it as per Bel's comprehensive maintenance instructions. 
We couldn't be more delighted - thank you. ​

Mrs Fraser - West Leake

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For more Reviews of Bel Grierson Garden Design Limited see Google Reviews
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Bel Grierson | Garden Designer & Plantswoman
​
Postal Address: 11 Garendon Road, Shepshed, LEICS, LE12 9NU
​Phone Number: 07506 750250
​Email address: info@belgrierson.co.uk
Company Details:
Bel Grierson Garden Design Limited
​Registered Address: C/O Chesterton House Accounting Services LLP, 2-3 Rectory Place, Loughborough, LE11 1UW       
Company Number:  13017102 (England & Wales)      VAT Number: 399744816
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