Country Garden Planting Design
Bel was contacted by the owners of this rural garden as they were finding the extensive planted borders difficult to manage. The garden had been established by the previous owners who had clearly enjoyed their garden, but over time it had become weedy and overgrown. The new owners struggled to identify the key plants and their maintenance requirements and the weeds which blew and crept in from the surrounding fields impossible to control.
During an initial consultation and a good walk around the garden to identify the issues, Bel suggested a full clearance of the existing planting, saving a few plants which were worth keeping and reserving them for replanting. In carrying out a full clearance of the borders, weeds ad a tangle of overgrown plants would be removed and allow for a fresh start. A row of evergreen conifers planted by the previous occupants as a screen bore no relation to the rest of the garden and Bel suggested removing them and incorporating tall planting within the new planting scheme to offer an element of screening with out creating a solid green wall.
Bel also suggested reshaping some of the existing beds to be more generous in the large space and to link in with one another. Bel drew up a planting scheme to provide year-round colour and interest and to tie in with the feel of the rural setting. The large beds allowed to block of 3,5,7 or more plants to be grouped together to create a mass of colour rather than a hotch potch of plants. The Clients loved Lavender and had some success with it previously so were keen to plant some new plants within the renovated borders. Bel designed a curvaceous swath of Lavender Little Lady (Bel's favorite variety) on the sloping bed which would benefit from the sunny free-draining spot and give a wonderful display in mid-summer.
The garden was cleared by a team, removing a mass of overgrown shrubs and weeds and then preparing and rejuvenated the soil with plentiful quantity of compost ready for planting. During spring of 2020 Bel planted up the extensive 160 sq/m of borders with a selection of evergreen & deciduous shrubs, colourful perennials and ground covering plants, plus a few ornamental grasses to link in with the countryside views beyond. Roses were key too, Bel selecting varieties with colour, scent and rose hips in the autumn months for an extended season of interest.
Bel re-visited 6 weeks later to check on the planting and despite challenging weather conditions was very pleased to see everything filling out and establishing well. The very happy clients are looking forward to seeing the garden develop over the years.
Before Transformation
Before Transformation
Before Transformation
Our clients are really please with the design and transformation…
"We found Bel to be very professional. Bel has created a garden that I envisaged, by guiding me through with her knowledge and experience. I look forward to Bel’s ongoing support with my new garden."