The brief
A raised, semi-circular bed within a front drive, backed by a brick boundary wall and visible from the street. The existing mound contained a mixture of clay, stones and rubble, creating unusually free-draining conditions and calling for a planting scheme suited to a hot, exposed position.
The planting
Prunus ‘Kojo-no-mai’ forms the central focal point, surrounded by a trio of Pinusmugo ‘Gnom’ to provide permanent evergreen structure.
Pairs of Calamagrostis ‘Karl Foerster’ frame the planting against the brick wall, with Verbenabonariensis, Hylotelephium ‘Herbstfreude’, Echinacea ‘Alba’ and Salvia ‘Caradonna’ creating the main flowering layer.
At the front, Geranium ‘Rozanne’, Stipatenuissima and Heuchera ‘Palace Purple’ soften the edge with long-flowering colour, movement and contrasting foliage.
Design approach
The scheme was designed in clear layers, working outwards from a strong central focal point. Evergreen structure and ornamental grasses give the mound shape throughout the year, while repeated groups of perennials create rhythm and a long season of flowers without overcrowding the relatively compact space.
The planting was also selected to suit the mound’s sunny, free-draining conditions, turning what could have been a difficult site into one of its defining characteristics.
Services: Consultation · Planting design · Plant sourcing · Installation
Carol. Beckenham, Bromley.
“In less than three weeks Robbie succeeded in transforming a very troublesome and unloved mound of weeds in my front garden, into an attractive feature teeming with a variety of interesting drought tolerant plants, which passers-by stop to admire.
The whole project went seamlessly from the initial consultation, to the production of a detailed plan booklet, and finally to the delivery of the plants, followed by the planting work itself which took less than a day.
All the work was personally undertaken by Robbie himself and his considerable knowledge, enthusiasm and love of the natural world is plain to see.”