Garden Design from a different angle

I approach garden design from a different angle – maybe that’s because I didn’t train as a garden designer.? During my time as a retailer I have always tried to provide what the client wants, but backed up by sound and honest advice. As a horticulturist I try to choose plants that will thrive in a situation rather than those that struggle to survive. I also believe that gardens are about plants and their cultivation, rather than structures, surfaces and practicality. Too often today a garden is seen as a space that could involve work and effort; therefore something to be despatched as soon as possible.

Always consider future maintenance when you plan your garden.

A very successful garden designer once told me that “you design with your mind, not with the spade”. I agree to a certain extent, as long as the mind is accompanied by the senses and a willingness to get the hands dirty on occasions. My approach to garden design is primarily that of a gardener.

Todays Instagram world gives a very different impression of gardens and gardening than that of 60 years ago. Values and wealth have changed, Demands are more aspirational fuelled by the inspiration of the media. The practical, instructional approach of the gardening expert is no longer acceptable. We demand the glossy dreams of the garden celebrity. Instant gratification has perhaps undermined a cheapened the world of garden design.

The image may be beyond your garden, but it can still be an inspiration

I think there are three main factors to consider when planning a garden:

1.      How much are you prepared to spend? You need to have a realistic idea of how much money you have available for the garden. Gardens are not necessarily cheaper than interiors and nor should they be. You are establishing a long term asset which can enhance your living environment for years to come.

2.      How are you going to maintain it? If you are going to employ a good gardener, be prepared to pay for it. This may influence your initial investment.

3.      How long are you going to live here? Often doing a garden follows a house move. If you intend to move again in 5-10 years then this should influence what you plant and the initial maturity of some of the planting.

A simple table and chairs close to the kitchen may be all you need

It is really important to consider how you will use the garden and the layout in relation to the house. The far corner may get the evening sun, but if its miles from the kitchen it is unlikely to be used for eating al fresco.

The trrace can be a colourful part of the garden

Do you really need such a large paved area just to accommodate that rare occasion when you have a dozen round the table outside? Big areas of paving can eat up a lot of the budget and they look bleak and forbidding in winter.

Surrounding the terrace with planting makes all the difference and reduces the impact of grass and paving from the house

The trend towards large areas of glass overlooking the outside should have a major impact on the attention we pay to the view of the garden from the house. The various garden and home transformation programmes seem oblivious to this. So often that expensive extension and those picture windows seem to have a panoramic view of the fence or the neighbours’ windows. These are both easily transformed with the right planting: Perhaps a better investment than a water feature or garden lighting?

The view through the window is all important

The most important advice I would give anyone is: Don’t waste money on an expensive garden design and detailed plan if you have no intention of doing it. More often than not you don’t need a design – you just need good honest advice from someone with an eye and a practical approach. Ideally someone who will be personally involved in getting the work done.

I look forward to hearing from you:  email andy@andymcindoe.com

The best evergreen foliage shrubs for winter interest

Evergreen shrubs come into their own in winter emphasising the importance of foliage in the garden and its enduring beauty. In sun, and especially in shade these plants excel and hold things together not only in beds and borders, but also in pots and containers. Never think of them as boring green utility plants if well-chosen they can add vibrant colour and a wide variety of form and texture.

Nandina domestica ‘Gulfsteam’

At the top of my list of my list Nandina domestica ‘Gulf Stream’ has become a firm favourite. This compact form of the sacred bamboo is light and elegant in character. Perfect for smaller gardens, narrow borders and pots and containers, also the plant in small groups in larger spaces. The stiff fern-like foliage is olive green, copper to orange when young. The colour intensifies in winter adding a real splash of colour through the colder months.

Nandina ‘Firepower

Nandina domestica ‘Firepower’ is similar in habit but with softer, looser foliage and a more rounded form. The leaves rustle when stirred by the wind. Although shade tolerant it needs some sun for glowing winter colour.

Nandinas grow on most well-drained soils and are best in a fairly sheltered position. 

Aucuba japonica

The spotted laurel Aucuba japonica, may be regarded as rather boring, but few shrubs have such glossy green, gold splashed leaves in shady town gardens. It is also excellent for big containers and copes brilliantly with atmospheric pollution. There are more colourful cultivars with bolder variegation but the species is more subtle and acceptable even to those that dislike yellow in the garden.

Aucuba japonica ‘Rozannie’

Female plants bear showy scarlet fruits. The plain green Aucuba japonica ‘Rozannie’ is outstanding when it comes to its display of shining scarlet berries. The glossy green leaves are highly reflective and excellent at lightening heavy shade.

Viburnum davidii

The plain dark green Viburnum davidii is one of my favoirites. Those bold dark green, ribbed leaves on red leaf stalks have great presence, whatever the weather. A neat mounded shrub it is shining and dramatic in the wet and wonderfully sculptural when etched with frost. A survivor it is great in shade, grows on any soil and a long term subject for a pot or container, no garden should be without it.

Pittosporums are great favourites and are widely planted. In some areas they suffered last winter for the first time in many years. Hopefully that was an exception as the contribute so much in the garden. The variegated cultivars are a wonderful support act through summer and stand out in winter. They also provide wonderful foliage for cutting. 

Pittosporum ‘Irene Patterson’

Pittosporum ‘Irene Patterson’ is the lightest and brightest. A little smaller and slower than some of the others its marbled foliage is the lightest and brightest of all evergreens.

Pittosporum ‘Tom Thumb’

The compact, rounded forms have become valuable structure plants in pot gardens – especially with the demise of box. The most striking in winter is undoubtedly Pittosporum ‘Tom Thumb’. Purple foliage through summer intensifies and shines in winter without the dilution of the pale green new growth. There are few purple evergreens so this is an evergreen to treasure and use as a statement in the garden.

Leucothoe ‘Scarletta’

There are many varieties of leucothoe that colour richly in winter. These low growing shrubs need acid soil to thrive, so grow them in pots of lime-free growing media. ‘Scarletta’ is one of the best known with small, pointed leaves the turn vibrant scarlet in winter. Team it up with Nandina ‘Gulf Stream’ and black ophiopogon to create a dramatic winter picture. 

Mahonia japonica

Usually grown for its fragrant winter flowers Mahonia japonica is a large, tolerant shrub with bold, green, holly like foliage. When grown on poor soil in an open position the older foliage takes glowing shades of orange and red which are usually more intense in winter.

There are many colourful varieties of holly to choose from and a good specimen makes an outstanding feature in any garden. The one thing you need with a holly is patience; it takes time to mature and make a statement. Therefore they are not as widely planted as subjects that are quick to deliver. Also you do need to plant for the leaves, not for the berries. Usually birds make short work of these as soon as they ripen.

Ilex x altaclarensis ‘Golden King’

Ilex x altaclarensis ‘Golden King’ (female) has a strong gold and green variegation. It makes an excellent specimen as a focal point in the garden or a valuable addition to a gold and green scheme. 

January 2024