Yet more Befores & Afters

Although horrified when I first went to look at this site, the project turned out to be an absolute delight . The client had a strong idea of what she wanted and together we transformed an eyesore into a stunning modernist courtyard. I kept the construction simple, using basic materials: gravel, linear paving, rendered walls and light and dark grey paint to complete the picture.

Here are some befores and after from 2012

Above was the back garden to a lovely Victorian property in Highbury and it was a pleasure to reconstruct the garden into a 'contemporary' Victorian space!!

This is an ongoing project for me in Latimer. I have already turned the field enclosing their tennis court into a meadow planting and now working on the upper garden. Here the judicious use of a well designed wall, attractive paving and some good planting has transformed the area around the pool.

Cant believe its a year since I last blogged, but in a way that's positive as I have been so busy designing. What more can a garden designer ask for?! And even better, every garden has come with a totally different brief. From contemporary to traditional, minimalist to Victorian - I have had such fun, relishing each new set of challenges and finding ultimate gorgeous solutions for all. I have enjoyed them all and it would seem that each client was equally happy with the outcomes.
My New Year resolution is to visit them all, ensuring that the planting fulfils its early promise, perhaps tweaking here and there and taking photographs for the web site that I really must sort!
In the meanwhile Capital Gardens has asked me to write an article for their magazine(on grasses-my favourite plants) and have also given me a large advertising slot. So tie in with both that and this January's blog, here are some photos of last years Before & Afters

This was a sadly neglected orchard in a large traditional garden in north London. With the addition of the Victorian greenhouse, which was not only functional but also made a marvellous focal point and some strong herbaceous planting, the area was transformed in a season.

This was a garden flat in west London, that I was asked to turn into an inviting space for a property developer.The brief was to keep it  simple but give it a contemporary feel. The decking linked with the oak clad flooring in the living room, the paved area was for bbqing and entertaining and the shed at the bottom could be used as an office. Everything that a young upwardly mobile couple would want. The flat sold immediately.

Cant believe its been a year since I last blogged

Dont Plant without a Plan

New Year, new resolutions-never plant anything without a plan.

20 years ago I bought a Trachycarpus fortunei. There was never a question of why or where-it was the must-have plant of the time and I had to have it. It cost a considerable £100.00 and I was over the moon when I carried it into my garden. I situated it into a dull, shaded corner on a mound,which had been there historically, thinking it would make a marvellous focal point. The wonderful thing about trachycarpus is that although happier in the sun, they are fine even in full shade-just a little bit slower in growth. They adapt to most soil conditions, provided they are not waterlogged and can tolerate very cold winters. An ideal palm in many ways.

Well, of course all would have been fine if my thoughtless location had had a path, a view through a hedge or a reason at all for walking into that miserable corner. Over the years I contemplated improving the whole look with a tropical planting scheme, but location and soil though fine for Trachy ( as he came to be known) were totally unsuited for such an exotic venture. Further it was on the edge of my archetypal english orchard.

Now 20 years down the line, I am constructing a Victorian greenhouse which is ideal for the area. It is functional, harmonises with an orchard and is of a size and stature to make that dull corner a feature to walk to. But my poor Trachy has to go. At 5 metres high now its probably worth £700.00, but has no home to go to.

Vita Sackville-West once said if the plant was in the wrong place, get rid of it. There's no room for sentimentality in a garden. Well, thats true, but nevertheless it is extremely distressing to see a plant nurtured over the years, hacked down.

So my new new year's resolution is never to plant randomly again.

Now is the Time

Well, we all know its been cold and inhospitable out there this winter, but the soil has now thawed out. Any clearing that was not completed before the snow can be done now and dont forget the all important compost covering. Thompsons in Crews Hill do a marvellous compost and deliver into North London for a very reasonable price.

In between digging and spreading take a coffee break ( or two!) and survey your surroundings. In the bleakness of a February day, eyesores of poor design, tend to jump out and hit you, much more than in summer when pretty flowers distract. There is plenty of time between now and late April to rectify.

Planting too needs to be sorted now for delivery in April. I expect that you all have lost a few choice plants over the winter, but that's no reason to feel sad. Indeed look at it as a way to improve and add a few new plants that maybe youve never had or even seen before. This is not about annuals but about perennials that will come up every year - and there are plenty that will, despite snow, flooding and drought!!

If you would like me to pop over for a FREE consultation, call me on 077 100 37002 and we can have a discussion on how best to resolve.

Summerhouses in the Winter!

Autumn is well and truly here and it is at this time in the year that I like to re-appraise my garden and think what I need to do over the winter to improve it for next year.
Coincidently, Cranes Sheds and Summerhouses approached me with a view to being listed in their designers directory, which reminded me of an article I wrote 'A Shed for All Seasons' (see page 13, Garden Confidential Spring Issue, 2009).
Summerhouses make such a difference to a garden. They are one of the few design features that actually serve a functional purpose as well.
I have just the spot to situate my summerhouse - in my orchard. This is a tranquil area complete with little wildlife pond. Every year I wish I had a place to sit there with an evening drink enjoying the sunset and this winter I am going to make sure I do. I am going to install a summerhouse.
If you too would like to do similar, give me a call to discuss best location and also have a look at Cranes Sheds and Summerhouses for some more inspiration.