This is the view looking away from the house of the finished garden.
The photinia topiary are now in stainless steel pots, as the ground in this area is very boggy.
The view is much opened up now that the 2m high brick wall is gone, and the rendered walls give a light contemporary look to this outdoor space. You can also see the successfully finished (and clamped!) glass water feature in the background (more evening photos of it lit on the way!)
As can be seen from the photograph, the temperature is well below zero. It would be a good idea to always protect newly planted plant material if it is of a more tender variety.
A FEW GARDENING TIPS FOR COLD SPELLS
- If frost damage does occur, it is important to protect your plants from defrosting too quickly in the morning sun. If the plants can't be moved, then the best way of doing this is by covering them with a thick black plastic.
- It's also a good idea to feed damaged plants with a balanced fertiliser, this will definitely help to encourage healthy growth.
- It's also important to watch out for snow damage (there's enough of it at the moment!). To prevent your trees, shrubs and hedges getting disfigured you should try to shake off any excess snow from their branches.
- Something to avoid: walking on snowy grass! It can damage the turf underneath and leave marks on the lawn.
We've just sent off our application for the 2010 RHS Tatton show, very exciting! The picture above is the 3d garden visualisation we created using sketchup and photoshop. A friend (Dan Archer http://www.archersculpture.co.uk/) is very kindly going to lend us a great contemporary sculpture, for the week, to finish off the garden.
We've decided to name the garden 'Tranquility Island' - the idea behind it is that it's intended as a retreat from the hectic pace of everyday life. The snaking sleeper bridge represents the journey through life as a spiritual quest. While arrival at the enclosed decked area is a metaphor for the fulfillment of achieving higher states of consciousness.
The garden is very elemental - it uses water, timber, stone and plants to create a harmonious series of spaces. We have tried to be environmentally conscientious with the design (the offcuts of boulders we're using would otherwise go to landfill), all the materials are going to be locally sourced to avoid unnecessary transport.
The preliminary planting plan for the scheme is ornamental with a Mediterranean flavour, we're going to use a selection of grasses and perennials set in large drifts. We also want to include 3 - 4 large trees as a backdrop - hopefully some beautiful old olive trees.
Elemental garden - approaching finish!
0 comments Posted by David Andersen at Thursday, January 07, 2010
Even with the wettest November on record, and with this current cold spell, we have managed to complete this striking elemental garden. We are always excited about schemes which we can build without using concrete or other modern products. This scheme features timber sleepers, huge slices of stone boulder (some as big as 2m x 1.5m!), water and an interesting selection of plants.
The plants shown above are euphorbia, phormium and cortaderia. We will have to wait until March to plant the marginal plants (plants like caltha and various iris).
At last we are ready to assemble the glass screen waterfeature!
The clamps have now been re-fabricated with the new angle to accommodate the curve of the glass. They are bolted onto the floor of the sump ready to receive the glass screen (with pvc protection between)
Yes !!! it works !!
The glass is now in place and the task of delivering the correct flow of water to the top edge is begun.
We offered the waterblade to the top for a trial run and and found the effect really good. Now all we have to do is drill through the stainless steel sheet and the concrete block wall and connect up to the pump in the sump.
We offered the waterblade to the top for a trial run and and found the effect really good. Now all we have to do is drill through the stainless steel sheet and the concrete block wall and connect up to the pump in the sump.
Tomorrow we will install the lighting (led and low voltage uplight). Can't wait ! Just wish it would stop raining!
The garden is coming on….despite incredibly wet weather, we have managed to complete the painting of the rendered walls, the new deck is in place (garappa hardwood) and the photinia standards are ready for planting.
The curved glass screen has arrived, we are now working with our engineer and lighting designer to discover how best to fix it in place, light it , and to deliver the right amount of water to the top edge in order to create the effect of a sleek looking sheet of water.
In addition, the purchasing of most the plants is complete : mostly architectural plants with bold foliage, although seasonal colour will be provided by colourful herbaceous plants such as the autumn flowering nerine bowdenii, and shizostylis coccinea.
Further garden lighting continues with the installation of a series of stainless steel spike uplighters to all of the topiary plants and also led deck lights.
We are just hoping and praying for some drier weather to allow us to finish off.
The scheme is progressing rapidly, the 2m high wall has been reduced down to 70cm, and has opened out the views to the surrounding countryside.
The raised planters have been built and the sett detailing has been laid. The fine tilth is being prepared ready for the turf.
The walls have been rendered and are drying out, ready to be painted. We are hoping that the dry weather will continue and allow us to complete the painting within the next few days.
The lighting cable has been installed, ready for connecting up the lights next week.
The large curved glass screen has been ordered for the water feature.... there is plenty of detailed design work to be done on this! .... never a dull moment!
This is the view towards the house, in the background is the recently rendered outside kitchen area and in the foreground, the proposed play area, with it's timber sleeper walkways currently under construction.
This area is to receive artificial turf, and the final stage of preparation is underway!
This area is to receive artificial turf, and the final stage of preparation is underway!
New Design Project: A Family Garden
0 comments Posted by David Andersen at Tuesday, October 06, 2009
One of our latest projects is to create a family garden for relaxation, play and entertaining within this existing space.
The house is a barn conversion with potentially great views over the surrounding countryside...problem is that only a third of the available garden is contained within this 2m high wall and all the wonderful views are blocked.
The clients are a young couple with two small children and the brief is to include a contemporary area near the house with a play area in the middle section and make provision for an orchard and wildflower meadow in the third section.
The proposed design embraces all of the objectives providing both a sleek, modern area with deck, firepit and (safe ) waterfeature.
Watch this space to see how the scheme develops ...starting with the demolition of that wall !
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