The brief
At the centre of this Victorian country garden was an enormous flower bed that had become overwhelmed with waist-high weeds. The aim was to simplify the space, make it far easier to manage and create a strong planting scheme without disturbing the soil unnecessarily.
The planting
Using a no-dig approach, the existing growth was suppressed with cardboard and a deep layer of mulch before introducing a more considered, manageable planting scheme.
Acer ‘Bloodgood’ and Cercis ‘Forest Pansy’ anchor the bed with strong form and deep foliage, complemented by Pittosporum ‘Irene Paterson’ and Hydrangeapaniculata ‘Limelight’ for structure and seasonal interest.
Around them, drifts ofAlchemilla mollis, Heuchera ‘Palace Purple’, Stipa tenuissima, Geranium ‘Wargrave Pink’, Salvia ‘Caradonna’, Paeonia ‘Kansas’, Anemone ‘Honorine Jobert’, Hylotelephium ‘Autumn Joy’ and Nepeta ‘Walker’s Low’ create a softer, naturalistic layer with a long season of colour and texture.
Design approach
The scale of the bed called for a simpler, more structured approach. Using the no-dig method allowed the existing weeds to be suppressed while improving the soil with minimal disturbance. A framework of small trees and shrubs gives the bed permanent structure, with repeated groups of perennials and grasses creating softer seasonal layers that are easier to maintain as the planting matures.
Services: Consultation · Border redesign · No-dig preparation · Planting · Aftercare
Laura. Keston, Bromley.
“I can’t recommend Robbie highly enough. His creativity and passion shone through in both design projects he carried out for me, transforming a couple of ordinary outdoor spaces into beautiful, thriving gardens. He has a great eye for design, a vast knowledge of plants, and an incredible attention to detail. Importantly, he is also keen to ensure a good balance between getting the best value for money for his client whilst procuring the best quality plants. It’s clear he genuinely cares about his work and takes pride in creating spaces that reflect his clients’ vision. He continues to give me advice and help with maintaining the spaces he has created, ensuring the garden continues to thrive. I am delighted with the results. Robbie is professional, reliable, and a pleasure to work with.”