Designing roof gardens

There are many more factors to take into account when designing a roof garden or terrace. The most important one being what load can the existing roof take and access for materials.

This is an interesting product that allows for decking to be installed quickly and lifting it off the existing roof space to allow for drainage, cables etc. This product is also available for the installation of stone / concrete tiles.

 

For more info decking roof supports

Once again, load (weight) is an extremely important factor when embarking on a roof garden design, a structural engineer should always be consulted. 

Topsoil Supplier - Rolawn voucher

Supplier of topsoil and turf - Rolawn - is offering a 10% discount on all orders placed before the 20/9/10. Use voucher code RD410 at the checkout for your discounted topsoil.

Click here to go straight to the Rolawn website to buy your topsoil.

It is time to start thinking BULBS

It feels like summer has only just started and now the DIY stores are stocking up on Daffs and Tulips for Spring 2011. If you are planning new bulb planting then start doing your research now with quality bulb suppliers. As always the best looking bulbs always run out of stock first so put your order in now and wait for when they start shipping. 

Current Design Projects

August onwards is always a busy time of year with people deciding that their current garden will not do and a new garden design is needed for Spring 2011. Currently I have the following projects on the drawing board which I am very excited about.

1.) Large family garden design in Barnes

One of my largest projects to date. An extremely large garden by London standards. The brief is for a traditional garden feel, nothing too contemporary, large dining space, generous lawn, new wave perennial planting, a separate childrens play area and "snug". This garden has been designed and is awaiting landscaping.

2.)  Terraced garden design in Wandsworth

An exciting garden design. Currently split on 3 levels this offers both challenges and many opportunities for a great town garden. The brief for this garden design is to make the most of the space available, create individual areas for differing uses, again nothing too contemporary but modern and sympathetic to the surroundings.

3.) Large family garden design in St Margarets - Twickenham

Again a large garden that will focus on entertaining, childrens play area and an area for relaxation.

Check back from time to time to see how these are progressing. 

Garden Design - Chiswick

Again I post will post more shots and the project brief shortly. This project was a small garden design in Chiswick.

 

Garden Design - Battersea

Its our busiest time of year and it's not easy when your webmaster, designer and tea maker to keep up to date with posting our garden design projects. This one of our recent small garden designs in Battersea. I will write up the project brief, the difficulties to overcome  and  a before shot soon.

 

Hedges - don't get caught out

Recently, hedge plant suppliers have been recommending you plant new hedges 50cm apart, be warned this is just to get you to buy more. 

With the exception of Box (Buxus) you need to be planting hedge plants 75cm apart which allows for good root growth and your new hedge will not end up bare at the bottom. It's tempting to buy smaller hedging plants and plant them closer together but avoid this buy buying larger plants and stick to the 75cm rule. A newly planted hedge that has room for root growth, gets light and air will establish and grow much quicker than one that has been planted too close.

 Bare root hedging is available from November onwards, if your looking for something now we can source containerised hedge plants which can be planted all year round. Please call with your enquiry.

Sail shades

With this fantastic weather you might be finding you need to create some shade in your garden. If time, money or both is an issue then sun shades provide a quick, cost effective solution. Available in many colours, sizes and style these can be either free standing, over the lawn for example or attached to an existing structure. We can help source & install the right one for you. UV resistant and some shower proof they can be a perfect solution in your garden design.

You plant it - we'll come

Within 4 weeks of planting a group of 12" high Monardas they are now 3 feet high and full of bursting scarlet red flowers. You can see why this plant is also known as 'bee balm'. 

This is an excellent plant for attracting bees and butterfly's, quickly establishes itself and is a rapid grower, perfect for filling in spaces in your border and can be left over winter with beautiful seed heads. 

  

Kirengeshoma Palmata

I have just come across this plant at one of the nurseries I visit when buying plants for a client and promptly purchased a few for shady borders I am planting.

I am blogging about this as it's a great plant for a shady border. It will flower late Summer - early Autumn, with funnel shaped butter coloured flowers on purplish stems and maple like foliage. Height and spread is 90 x 60cm.