A CHRISTMAS CRACKER

December is the start of winter and heralds festive cheer and celebration. Jumpers and scarves become part of the day-to-day dress code and our increasing waistlines tend to suggest we all like to eat something naughty at times!  Taking your attention away from these indulgencies and all the family chaos, especially with a young family rushing around the house with an ever increasing Christmas wish list, can be challenging to say the least. 

If you’re able to indulge in some quieter moments in your garden, even for a few minutes to reflect, one feels infinitely better for the fresh air and the space; a silent and empty space, so noticeable in the garden at this time of year. Garden structure and form now become increasingly important; a well placed urn leading the eye to a small secluded corner; the simple shapes that one creates with a strategically placed clipped box (even more accentuated when covered with frost or snow) or, a well positioned ornamental grass that illuminates an area when hit by low sunlight, all add an extra dimension and interest to your own Suburban Oasis. 

As we prepare for the social activities, take a moment to see how you could improve your own garden – even through these dark winter months.  If you just need a helping hand or some assistance, my advisory service and soft landscaping design may be just the Christmas cracker you were hoping for. Merry Christmas!

HIDDEN PLEASURES

As we move deeper into November, it becomes ever noticeable that the nights have suddenly become longer. We struggle to find the opportunity to potter in our outdoor space so, the only realistic time is over the weekend; even then, we’re contemplating starting the big shop – CHRISTMAS!

Taking your minds back to those long, hazy, summer days, you soon realise how important your garden space becomes; children can play happily under your watchful eye; friends gather to partake in a fun afternoon or, a place of total solitude where total relaxation is...the name of the game.

Plants, more than anything else, help create that perfect mood. Fragrance may be an important feature you want to achieve, where heavenly perfumed plants fill the air with their scent. On the other hand, a jungle effect with all the lush summer growth and vibrant colours could be just what the doctor ordered. No hard landscaping, no grand garden design – just some soft landscaping and border management. The main focus being – plants!

Thinking how you could achieve such summer pleasures needn’t be a lottery ticket. I can offer you something that suits your needs without the large expense of a total re-design; something affordable, certainly individual and definitely beautiful - whatever your mood. Those idyllic, hidden pleasures are more than a mere dream. They can easily become a reality, so please feel free to contact me. 

THREE-IN-A-BED

Let’s face it; the warmth of the sun is beginning to decrease at an alarming rate so, for this year anyway, my shorts are put away into storage but, I have to admit, the winter duvet and electric blanket are waiting in the wings. How soft we’ve become eh?

ANYONE FOR TEA AND CAKE?

It’s not until we sit down with a cuppa and glance out of the window that we realise the garden is probably in need of a little tidy up after the frantic weeks of the summer holidays. So, as there’s no time like the present, why not start by treating your lawn. It’s the ideal time! Give it a rake, give it a feed - in fact - just pamper it. Let’s face it, it’s had a lot to put up with; practically no rain all summer, numerous parties, BBQs and goodness knows what else - surely it deserves some TLC. It’ll pay dividends next year and it will leave your friends green with envy.

If your borders look a little lack-lustre, think about how you could extend the season for next year. Late summer perennials such as: eupatorium, sedum, rudbeckia and actaea are all in their prime now and are star plants for the autumn border. 

Of course, if life is too busy, I can do all those jobs you dread doing, so please feel free to contact me. The lawn can have its own programme of care and the borders can take on a renewed look of splendour; therefore, freeing up valuable time for you to enjoy that well earned cuppa...and not forgetting - a nice cream cake!