As designers, we know that planting is that wonderful element that brings a garden to life and we tailor it to a whole range of considerations that include the setting, soil, microclimate, existing trees, shrubs and perennials, and of course not least, our clients.
But if it’s our own garden what then, is it an indulgence, piecemeal, easy to maintain, blousy, crisp and architectural, laid back, or a combination of all these?
Over a career of fifty years or more, I have seen great changes in the way that we design and plant gardens, from a predominance of hard landscape in the late 60’s to a far greater awareness of the need for planting to encourage biodiversity, pollinators and respect for the environment.
However, I’m not a purist and I have always embraced planting schemes that provide colour and interest across the seasons including a mix of shrubs, hardy perennials, and ground covers. I mix exotics with indigenous to create pattern and drama and am further aware that such a mix does indeed embrace biodiversity.
In our new garden, I have recycled huge amounts of buried stone, brick, and other materials that have been used for paths and paving to minimize the overall carbon footprint, for the deck I am using English Chestnut, and the plants I have sourced from local nurseries wherever possible.
We’ll look at my garden and others to see just how we can meld hard and soft together, after all, that is just what a garden should be, a balance and place for everything and everyone that uses it.