Alison’s Update – July 2016

At this time of year, I like to get out and about with my camera – taking photos of gardens we have recently completed to show people on our website, and in our blogs.  But the inclement weather in recent weeks has meant that I have had to postpone my photo shoots until later in July and August.

So, in the absence of photos of new gardens, I thought I would share a few updates – some more recent photos of gardens we have worked on in recent years.

My own garden

Firstly, a quick update on my own garden (see previous posts here and here).  As you can see the veggie coffins are in full use (blog on lessons learnt to date to follow soon) and proving very productive (too productive if you are a courgette!).  The Box hedge is in and some planting done in the courtyard and planters.  But the main borders are still to be planted.  And it’s a shame the lawn was too wet to cut before this photo was taken!

Artificial lawn update

Next, you may recall John’s recent blog posts on the installation of an artificial lawn (here and here).  Well, here are some recent photos of the garden  – in Maidenhead – now with plants (we had to do battle with the ground elder prior to planting).  The client’s daughter installed the sheep……!

Open plan front garden

Then, you may also recall a blog of mine back in September 2014 – a case study on an open plan front garden in Hartley Wintney.  Well, the client has just sent us these pics of the garden now.

A lush little oasis

And this is a garden in Wokingham we helped adapt and plant many years ago.  Jim, our senior soft landscaper does the main pruning and sprucing twice a year.  A tidy but lush little oasis.

A front entrance courtyard

And this is a little enclosed front entrance courtyard in Spencers Wood (before and immediately after pics).  We landscaped the back garden a year or so ago, and the clients asked us to “do something nice, simple and low maintenance” with the shady inhospitable front area.  As you can see, we have made it into a little courtyard with some paved feature areas (currently missing their final features!) and some specimen plants with a varied foliage tapestry, including a very nice Japanese Acer.

And a long term restoration project

Finally, a much bigger garden, and a long term restoration project.  We renovated the front drive and entrance of this lovely rambling old property in Tidmarsh a couple of years ago.  Earlier this year, we embarked on the task of removing  and infilling / turfing the dilapidated sunken garden, and upgrading the main terrace.  We also restored the water feature.  As you can see, there is plenty more to do, but the garden is already becoming much more usable and somewhere the clients can relax and enjoy the garden.

That’s all for now.  Watch out for some all new gardens over the next few months!