Log Wall and Bug Hotel
Inspired by a show garden at Hampton Court Flower Show, I designed and created my own log wall. It incorporates a hedgehog house at the base along with a bee hotel, providing nesting and shelter for solitary bees. Most materials used were recycled from my local green waste site. There are plenty of nooks and crannies for spiders and other critters to nest and rest.
Plants were chosen for their heady scents which could be enjoyed whilst sitting relaxing in the sun trap seating area with the log wall as the backdrop.
Wildlife Pond
It's amazing by creating a source of water in a garden, how quickly wildlife move in. It provides a breeding space for frogs, toads, newts and dragonflies as well as a habitat for a host of other creatures from pond skaters to water snails.
This pond with its shallow end also provides a bathing area for birds and a watering hole for hedgehogs.
Grasses and ferns were chosen for the edging of the pond as well as oxygenating, marginal and deep water pond plants. And of course a beautiful water lily.
Shady Border
A shallow but wide garden abruptly ended with a newly installed fence. The trees beyond and the height of the fence casted shade on the end of the garden, making it difficult to cut the grass right up to the fence.
The shallow flower bed allowed for planting without encroaching onto much of the garden which was used predominantly for young children to play. The brief for the plan was a soft formal structure with pink and purple colours. Plants were selected for their strong structure, ability to cope with shade and all year seasonal interest.
Front Garden Makeover
A front garden which was in need of some TLC. The brief was for some prairie style planting with lots of movement and colour.
I selected the Acer palmatum 'Orange Dream' which picks up on the accent colours of the house bricks and complements this beautiful tree. This adds a pop of colour and creates unity with the textures of the Hakonechloa macra, the Japanese forest grass.
Sunny Front Border
A narrow south facing front garden border. The brief was to create a wildlife magnet with hot zingy colours.
The plants were chosen with butterflies and bees in mind, providing a source of nectar over a long period of time; which in turn provides pops of colour throughout the seasons.
I shaped the front of the border making it deeper to compliment the planting style. This also helped with the balance of the flower bed in contrast to the house.