Let's talk about grasses

Do you like ornamental grasses? Not everyone does. But my guess is that if you don't like grasses it's because you have not used them in the right way.

There are grasses of all different shapes and sizes. Some like the tall Miscanthus to BLOCK views and provide screening, others just a few inches high to add texture amongst perennial foliage. Some should be planted in groups, and others just a single specimen.

I hope that the next few photos inspire you to add a few to your garden. I always aim to position them to catch either the low morning sun, or the low evening sun, when they become magical for just few minutes.

Stipa Gigantea just emerging. It will stand about 4-5 feet tall until next February, when I cut the seedheads down.
It is however an EVERGREEN grass, so the basal foliage provides year round interest

Stipa Gigantea back lit by the evening sun. Allium Purple Sensation beyond

Shorter Allium Christophii open later than Purple Sensation with larger pink flower heads like fireworks.
They are planted amongst Stipa Tennuissima (or Tenufolia) which move in the breeze catching the light

Allium Christophii with Stipa Tennuissima

Pink Osteopsernum have closed their flower heads for the day, but backlit Molinia Transparent Grasses
look fabulous. They will grow a bit taller and form tiny pink panicle seedheads, which twinkle in the sunlight

Carex Muskinumensis grass. Grows to around 60 cm and is also useful
for under planting around shrub bases.

Golden Milium Effuseum Aureum (Bowles Golden Grass)
It seeds around, but so pretty!

When the weather takes it toll...... look upon it as an opportunity

I was contacted by this client following the collapse of some ageing trellis work which separates front and side gardens.   

THE BRIEF

• New trellis and trellis gate to allow light through to front garden
• Small pond for wildlife
• Renew planting to the right of the path (happy with planting against house wall)

It was assumed that the new brief including a small pond would fit into the existing right hand border, however, knowing that much of this garden was shady, I noticed the sun shining in an area of lawn. I proposed that the brief be extended to provide an area of planting all along the right hand side which enjoyed sunshine all day at some point.  By putting the pond here, the view from the patio would also be much more interesting. The existing gravel path was easily extended too, and edged with a brick edge curving into the existing lawn. 

BEFORE PHOTOS AT THE END

The view now of the path which leads to the pond

The existing deep right hand border, now split in two with a second path
around between two borders. Much easier for maintenance, AND more interesting

From inside the back garden looking back. The border now extends all along the fence line, with a large curve opening it up into the lawn area. The border next to the house was also extended to be enjoyed from the patio and get sunshine.

The garden always more interesting walking between plants, and easier to maintain

The view from the patio. Previously, most of the planting was hidden round the corner. The
new sunny area allows for a Lavender hedge right next to the patio

The beetroot coloured leaves of Heuchera Obsidan contrast with Golden Hop and the emerging
foliage of Panicum grasses

A dark form of Astrantia, will echo the colours of Knautia Macedonia in a couple more weeks

A new variety of Clematis, Giselle, and quite a distinct pink shade

Tall Thalictrum "Black Stockings" with its dark stems. Soon Verbena Bonariensis
will add further height to this central border, joined by the tall seedheads of Stipa Gigantea grass

Landula Hidcote will form a small hedge next to the patio

Beautiful dark leaves of Actea Brunette which will provide drama and scent late summer in shade

Someone approves of the new pond!

Rose Gertrude Jeykel was on the client's wish list. It will be surrounded by Erigeron Profusion,
flowering for several weeks.

Sunshine all morning around the front edge of the pond.
Sedum, Salvia, Silver leaves Stachys, Ballotta, Pinks, and shorter Verbena Lollipop will provide interest for months

BEFORE

All this sunshine, and only lawn

The border against the house wall stopped short of the patio

The border to the left, was difficult to maintain because of its depth

Front Garden Transformation

The front garden of this client's  house had suffered badly following several months of builders being on site. However, the existing planting had also been allowed to dominate to the point where getting to the front door was not ideal. 

Scroll to end for the before photos

THE BRIEF

• Improve the kerb appeal
• Existing driveway shape to be retain
• Easy to maintain

The front door now clearly visible

From  the driveway, plenty of room to get to door and also a path continues passed the bay window to a second, less used,  side gate.     A lavender hedge,  below the window will provide year round structure, bake in the sun and provide scent near the door.  A low box hedge accentuates the curved border and needs a light trim only twice a year to keep looking smart. Within the border, Stipa Gigantea Grass will provide see through height for many months, and will be joined by Echincaea and Geraniums

Stipa Gigantea blades provide a sharp contrast in texture to the box hedging.  Opposite under the window
a Lavender hedge will soon knit together to provide further structure as well as scent.

A block of 5 Choisya  Ternata were planted to fill a deep corner and are underplanted with Ajuga providing interest in May. A block of Astrantia Claret will follow to give many weeks of interest.

A brilliant plant for groundcover in shade is Geranium Macrorhyzum. This white one is called Alba,
but for pink try the variety Velebit.

BEFORE

Family Garden - A practical space with lots of interesting planting to come

Following a rear extension, this client's garden no longer worked, but also the existing planting had got rather overgrown, dominated the borders, but with little interest beyond spring.

THE BRIEF

• Provide a sizable patio area next to the house
• Provide a child's play space
• Include raised beds
• Make the garden overall more appealing especially the views from the bifold doors.
• Plants to include RED!

Red works well with silvery foliage to cool it down a bit, and also some white flowering plants.  I included Ballotta Pseudodictamnus and Euonymous Emerald Gaitey for silver foliage and deep red foliage comes from Acer, and Cotinus Coggria (Smoke Bush). 

On my go to list of true red flowering plants to cover the seasons.

Red Anemone, Geum, Papavier (Poppy), Hemerocallis Pardon Me ( or Stafford), Crocosmia Lucifer

Scroll to the end for the BEFORE photos

The metal planters provide immediate impact, and match perfectly with the bifold doors. If you have heavy soil, raised beds also provide planting opportunities for plants which prefer good drainage. In the foreground Red Geum's just about to open.

A large pathway leading to the main patio area allows for the bifolds to open and enough room get past.
The plants in the curved border will give interest close the seating area inside the house. Fast growing climbers including Clematis Montana, Armandii, and Honeysuckle will clothe the fence, where the border is narrower due to the garden angle.

The fresh growth on the existing Beech tree in the far corner of the garden, looking back to the house

RED was a must on this clients's list, so great early colour from these Anemonies. You can see how many flowers have already opened.  

The emerging foliage of Cotinus Coggria Royal Purple, back lit with morning sun

Camassia bulbs provide early interest, in the form of spires then will disappear quietly until next year.

Carex Muskinumensis grasses are really useful for  below shrubs.
Catching the sun early or late in the day, the really come alive.

Euphorbia Robbie. Great for evergreen ground cover in shadier spots and between shrubs.  It spread quite
rapidly, so use carefully.

The view down the left hand side, now so much more interesting. Just off the patio here will soon be Red Hemerocallis cooled down by white Asters. by then the pink anemones will be gone, so wont clash with the red!

BEFORE  A few  before photos.

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BEFORE