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Posted: May 9, 2023
By: Dale Grant

Planting

Hard landscaping is the backbone of the garden whilst plants clothe and bring it to life. They create the mood and style with form and texture; lush and green can allude to water; clipped and sharp evokes formality; and soft and flowing likens the sensual and romantic.

A garden is forever changing as it reflects the seasons. Spring bulbs brighten the short days, bursting flowers fill the borders in summer, grasses and leaves light up the autumn and in winter the berries and glowing stems warm the landscape. Colours can harmonise or contrast, add a sharp accent or calm, be hot and spicy, light against dark or dark against light. Plants need to be carefully selected so that they suit the soil, aspect, and climate of a site. They must be of a correct proportion, shape, and size to balance and blend within a well-designed garden.

The slider above shows a selection of photographs to illustrate how Sue uses plants in gardens that she has designed.

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Posted: May 9, 2023
By: Dale Grant

Water

From the smallest wall fountain to a large natural lake, water gives life, sound, and light to a garden.

Still reflective pools suggest depth. Canals and rills are soothing, fountains and chutes add drama, water falling over stones or rocks add sparkle. Pools, geometric in shape, are formal, as pools with undefined lines are informal. Formal pools are best sparsely planted to accentuate, their strong lines, informal pools are best softened with plants mirrored at the water’s edge. Water in town gardens can relieve the oppression of walls and buildings and can expand the space by reflecting the sky. Ponds and lakes in country gardens can pull in the natural landscape.

A selection of photographs shown here illustrates how Sue uses water in gardens that she has designed.

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