Garden design ideas for small spaces Quite a few of the gardens I design are small spaces, from your average Brussels town garden of around 15mx6m, to tiny city courtyards. The smallest courtyard design so far was a shady basement space, just 3mx2m, pictured above. But with lush planting in deep containers, and carefully chosen furniture, this space became a little green oasis, especially nice … Continue reading Small garden? 7 smart space-saving ideas
Drought tolerant planting that copes with wet winters too Continue reading The survivors!
Hello! The temperature is really climbing here, and after a cool early June we’re heading into the heat now, hitting the 30’s C. Phew, scorchio! It’s been another funny year weatherwise, with a dry early spring that had the bonus of keeping the slugs at bay, and then a very wet May-mid June, which did bring the slow-moving but well-equipped army of slimey ones out … Continue reading What to plant with roses + a design workshop + a nature retreat
Vibrant planting combinations Continue reading Vibrant colour combos
These days, I’m happy with those plants that give me a little less work in the garden! No, I’m not getting lazy, nor am I falling into the camp that sees gardening as just another chore, heavens no! It’s just that I don’t have quite as much pottering time as I used to, what with work and all, and every now and then, it’s nice … Continue reading Hurrah for the naturalisers this spring!
Gardening resolutions Continue reading Gardening resolutions
I find autumn to be a very satisfying season. You quite literally can enjoy the fruits of your labour, or even just enjoy the fruits that you didn’t necessarily labour over! Have you tried Quince? It’s been a great year for quince, a forgotten fruit that is enjoying a bit of a revival. We are lucky enough to have a tree in our communal allotment … Continue reading Autumn fruitfulness and an unwelcome visitor…
At this time of year I always appreciate those plants that did lovely things in spring or summer – delicate spring blossom or glorious summer flowers for instance – but now give a little bit more into autumn and winter. They’re like the best type of friend, those who go the extra mile for you when you weren’t expecting it! Plants with 2+ seasons of … Continue reading Plants that go the extra mile!
It’s been a great year for many fruits, and grapes seem to be no exception. I’m lucky enough to have a grapevine in my garden which I inherited, and it produces sweet red grapes. These are good enough to eat as they are (and the hornets certainly seem to be enjoying them!) but we could never get through that many, so I make grape juice. … Continue reading How to make grape juice in 5 easy steps
You know how everything builds up in spring to culminate in extravagant floral exuberance in May and June? By contrast July and August can seem a tad underwhelming in the garden. But a few summer troopers will lift the mood and keep the interest going. Here are six of my favourites to beat that summer slump: 1- Hemerocallis (daylilies) Producing classic lily flowers in sunny … Continue reading Six plants to beat the summer slump
