Following on from our recent look at creating gardens for the future, a drought-resilient garden doesn’t happen by accident. Three very different gardens spring to mind when considering how we can build gardens that are better prepared for what lies ahead. Each demonstrates how thoughtful design, the right soil conditions and carefully chosen planting can…
We need to change the way we think about our gardens. The climatic changes we are witnessing are not going away. Increasingly unpredictable winters, followed by hotter, drier summers and more frequent periods of extreme heat, demand a fundamental rethink of how we design, build and care for our gardens. The answer is a climate-ready…
I was recently treated to a rare glimpse of a very special garden surrounding a former rectory in Northiam courtesy of getting to know the local charity Gardening with Disabilities Trust. The garden was redesigned in 2007 by Julia Fogg and Anny Evason. Their scheme features a series of beautifully defined garden rooms, created with…
A Very Special Treat A very special treat this year has been to visit Granada and stay in a hotel on the foothills facing its most famous landmark — the Alhambra Palace. And what a landmark it is. Built in 1238 by the Nasrid Dynasty, a visit to the Alhambra and the Generalife Gardens has…
The place to go for inspiration and fresh ideas! As a designer, like everybody I need to freshen up my act each year. Fashions change, colours influence, new plant varieties are born, new materials emerge and even new construction techniques open doors we may not have imagined before. Our visit in the last week to…
Thinking about installing a new swimming pool? Well how about being a little more adventurous by opting for a natural swimming pond instead. So you want a swimming pool? Great idea! But before you get planning have a long hard think about your budget as it is a significant investment. You can be talking in…
I am very lucky to have a wonderful wife who truly adores her cooking. She also has an established and flourishing Kitchen Garden that generously supports all this amazing output, so we get to enjoy and taste the delightful flavours of fresh produce, as well as some incredibly interesting and creative dishes that she prepares…
As you drive over the beautiful bridge into the lovely grounds of Iford Manor, near Bradford-on-Avon, you feel like you’ve stepped back in time. It’s like entering a real-life Narnia, where the everyday world disappears and a sense of magic surrounds you. Stay close-by in the picturesque and historic City of Bath, and take the…