How I Designed and Created a Cottage Garden in Nottingham
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.
The shape of the bed would remain the same, the existing pathway kept to allow for access in amongst the planting for maintenance and the gravel would be removed. Bel created a Planting Design Package which included a 2D Planting Plan, Plant List, Estimate for Supply, Scope of Works and Setting Out Plan for the landscapers, Maintenance Guides and a bespoke Plant Encyclopedia. The planting needed to be of a cottage style using perennials, Roses, Clematis and a few small shrubs and grasses for year-round interest.
The following Spring Bel was commissioned to create a Planting Design Package for the rear borders either side of the Summer House, transform a shady dry bed along the right boundary and to create a new curved border within the lawn. These areas were overshadowed by several trees so the planting needed to be shade tolerant whilst still providing plenty of colour and interest through out the seasons.
With the ground prepped, Bel and her Team planting the phase 2 borders. Completed in Spring 2022, this garden has a fresh rejuvenated feel and the clients are doing a great job of maintaining and establishing the new planting.
The clients are very happy with the transformation...
““We approached Bel Grierson in the spring of 2021 to advise us in connection with a complete redesign of one of the borders in our garden, with a brief to create an herbaceous border. She visited us and following an initial discussion, she then drew plans with plants suggested. Following a further visit, we settled on the plan she had devised and we agreed that the clearance of the existing gravel border and full preparation of the soil would take place in October. She arranged for her usual contractor to undertake the ground work, which proceeded in accordance with the plans, and Bel returned to plant in November as arranged.
She took on board our preferences and her suggested planting scheme fitted well with them. She has provided an excellent service, within the agreed price, and all the work was carried out when she said.
We would recommend her highly.””
