red clay roots

Blackcurrant Picking, The Garth

Visit this Garden! Open day 21st September as part of the National Garden Scheme

The Garth, July 2014

This year the main perennial bed is full of continuous colour and I have managed to achieve a flow and rhythm throughout the scheme. This part of the garden has always been a June garden with the vivid blue of the Delphiniums and the striking tones of the oriental Poppies and Peonies but growing many later flowering varieties from seed has provided a second flourish of colour that will continue through to October. Introducing large clumps of Crocosmia Lucifer, Verbena bonariensis and bronze Fennel has been a very welcome addition and creates a vivid contrast to the softer toned plants. The Rudbeckia I sewed in February is yet to flower but will provide an exquisite display of bronze and yellow in a few weeks.

Produce, The Garth, July 2014

Cut Flower and Vegetable Garden, The Garth, July 2014

Theddelthorpe, July 2014

I formed the main structure by stacking six pallets and then created the roof from some old house tiles. I then filled it with a vast array of natural materials such as garden canes, dried flowers and bricks creating a variety of habitats that insects such as solitary bees and lady birds would find appealing to nest within. I love the overall aesthetic and the display of natural materials works really well. This is a great activity to do with children to engage them in both arts and crafts and nature. Placing it near an area with pollinating plants will attract the beneficial insects and soon your garden should be full with buzzing wildlife.

The main backbone of the bed is created from Calamagrostis x acutiflora 'overdam', Stipa tenuissima and Misscanthus sinensis all grown at home from seed and division. The bed has a beautiful ethereal quality and I love how the planting moves and catches the light.

Gravel Garden, The Garth, July 2014

Black Tulips, The Garth, April 2014

Rhododendrons, The 

Grass Bed July 2014

Southbank

Knightsbridge

Kings Cross