Posts
Vertical Planting
It's mid-Summer and we are in the process of planting up this small garden in Crouch End. To make the most of the small space we have kept the flower beds quite narrow but will be providing 'Vertical Planting' by training a...
Silver Birch Tree
The Siver Birch Betula utilis, is an ideal choice for a small town garden. This medium sized British native loses its leaves in Winter but the bare white branches look stunning against...
A garden flat in Tufnell Park
To make better use of the space we replaced the scruffy patch of grass with green slate chippings and then jet washed the decking giving it a new lease of life. Neatly clipped Olive and Bay trees with galvanised steel...
Verbena “Lollipop”
With its narrow stems and tight clusters of purple flowers Verbena bonariensis has been a firm favourite of designers in recent years. Used at the front of a border it forms a semi-transparent veil without obstructing the view of the planting behind. The only...
A secluded suntrap in Highgate
Cinema Paradiso
What do you do with a sloping area of wasteland at the end of your garden ? How about a fabulous party space and home cinema ? Perfect for teenage summer parties, al fresco cocktails and late night film screenings. The tiered steps double as informal seating….just add...
Chelsea Flower Show
Summer is officially here and it’s time for the Annual Chelsea Flower Show. In 2004 I teamed up with the Sculptor Nick Rayburn to form Tantalus Gardens offering clients garden and exterior design with strong concepts. With sponsorship from The Friends of Moorfields...
The Stag’s Horn Sumach
When choosing plants for a spectacular display of autumn colour the obvious choices are the Virginia Creeper , the Smokebush and the many varieties of Japanese Maple. One plant that often get overlooked is the deciduous shrub Rhus typhina . It...
Spring Bulbs
Planting Schemes
I usually tell clients that they should expect a new planting scheme to reach its peak three years after the inital planting, assuming the garden has been regularly maintained. At first the effect can often look rather sparse, with small shrubs and perennials...