Call 01747 858215
Jan 2012
I’m really looking forward to seeing the construction and planting of the garden I have just designed for a farm under restoration near Abbotsbury, south Dorset. I’ve used some really exciting Mediterranean, drought tolerant plants to connect to the gardens sheltered location in the warmer end of Dorset and the surrounding natural stone barn walls. Repeated Pinus pinea (stone pine) grown as small standards create rhythm through the enclosed garden and guide the eye to the distant views of open countryside. Beneath these lovely trees is a tapestry of mainly vertical planting in blues, purples, rust and yellow with a patchwork of green as grasses and other foliage to tie the whole together. My favourite plant is quite possibly Centuarea phoenix hybrid, pictured right. I first saw this plant used in Andy Sturgeons Best In Show garden at RHS Chelsea Flower Show around two years ago. Other wonderful plants used include the honey spurge Euphorbia mellifera, Salvia Caradonna, Euphorbia cyparissus, Eryngium Silver Ghost, Stipa tenuissima and Santolina Edward Bowles. A line of pleached pear trees is being inserted along one side to conceal a barn roof. This shady border is underplanted simply in Viburnum bodnatense Dawn and Luzula nivea. Bring on the summer!
Get in touch >
