The brief
A newly created raised bed with timber edging in a sunny Hampshire garden. The aim was to introduce abundant planting, movement and seasonal colour while selecting plants well suited to the light, free-draining conditions.
The planting
The scheme combines strong upright perennials with softer grasses and lower spreading plants. Veronicastrum ‘Fascination’, Echinacea ‘Magnus’ and Agapanthus ‘Amourette Blue’ provide height and summer colour, while Salvia ‘Caradonna’ and Verbena ‘Bampton’ introduce deeper purple tones.
Repeated Heuchera ‘Palace Purple’ gives contrasting foliage throughout the bed, with Anemanthelelessoniana ‘Sirocco’ adding movement and warm seasonal colour. Erigeronkarvinskianus softens the timber edges, while Hylotelephium ‘Iceberg’, Astrantia and Iris extend the flowering interest.
White narcissi, pink tulips and white and purple alliums provide an additional layer of colour through spring and early summer.
Design approach
The planting was arranged in repeated groups to create rhythm along the raised bed, with taller plants forming a loose backbone and lower grasses and perennials weaving between them. Contrasting foliage and flower forms keep the scheme interesting even between flowering periods, while bulbs extend the season before the main summer display begins.
Services: Consultation · Planting design · Plant sourcing · Installation
John & Nancy. Petersfield, Hampshire.
“Robbie carried out the redevelopment of our raised flower bed. This included completely clearing all the old bed, planning the new planting scheme, supplying and planting everything. He did a very thorough job of the clearing, and in planning the new bed he took note of our ideas as well as implementing his own. We are delighted with the finished job which was carried out efficiently and professionally.
Thank you Robbie for the superb job you did of redeveloping our raised flower bed. We are delighted with the result.”