Cottage Garden Planting Design
Bel was contacted back in March 2021, by the owners of a converted Farmhouse property in the village of Wilford, on the outskirts of Nottingham. The quite walled garden belied the proximity to the city centre, offering a secluded traditional country feel to the space. The clients had owned the property for 30 years or so and had raised their children, who had now moved on to start their own families. 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. 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 are was cleared and the soil improved ready for planting which took place on a rainy day in November 2021. A composted bark mulch was applied to the bed to reduce weeds and to help retain moisture. A trickle hose irrigation system was also installed to help the new planting establish in this dry sunny border.
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.
The existing soil in the garden is a beautiful dark loam which makes prepping, planting and establishing new planting much easier. The soil had additional organic matter added, the plants were installed and a mulch laid over a few sunny days in Spring 2022. The clients installed an irrigation system, reusing parts from the previous beds and 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.
Before Transformation
Before Transformation
Before Transformation
Our clients are really please with the design and 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."