Wonderful gardens
We have enjoyed a proper summer this year which encourages us to venture out and about and explore all the wonderful gardens in our green and pleasant land. The Yellow Book allows us to discover unknown gems but I would like to mention a few of my favourite gardens...
Hydrangeas
I have a new found fondness for hydrangeas and these undervalued shrubs are beautiful additions to any garden. I think hydrangeas are overlooked because they are so familiar to us; we need to see them with fresh eyes and a new appreciation. They are at their best when...
Topiary in the garden
Topiary in all its forms is a fantastic way to introduce form and structure in the garden. Topiary suits all gardens whether small or large, modern or traditional and for the most wonderful inspiration Levens Hall in Kendal, Cumbria is the place to visit. The topiary...
Everything is rosy in the rose garden
June is such a glorious month in the garden, with the flowering perennials all looking fresh and vibrant. June for me means roses and rose gardens; I am a rose convert after many years of avoiding them I now can't get enough of them. However I am still very particular...
RHS Chelsea 2014
Chelsea I am going to move from reality in to the fantasy world of Chelsea, just for a short while. The RHS Chelsea Flower Show is a wonderful spectacle of fabulous excess and is enjoyed worldwide. It is a truly British event that we should be very proud of and...
Why seating areas are essential in gardens
Seating areas are essential in gardens to tempt us around the space and to allow us to sit and ponder the beauty surrounding us, whilst resting our weary limbs from all the extreme gardening, or simply just to unwind with a large gin and tonic. However we...
Timeless inspiring gateway designs
There is a myriad of gateway designs to draw inspiration from to make the most humble garden something special. However this picture shows a gateway in a garden that is far from humble. This is at Barrington Court in Somerset which had new gardens designed by Gertrude...
My attention focused on gates
I am keeping my attention focused on gates, there's something quite magical about an interesting gate enticing you in to the unknown. This is where a designer can bring something individual to a garden which is not only a practical object but also a feature and focal...
Garden gate as a focal point
I am moving my focus on from the small to the slightly larger garden details, but still considering how attention to these makes the garden a much better whole. A garden gate is a simple, functional feature that with some thought and design can become a garden focal...