The above images show gardens carefully created to a clients brief or design.   Some were constructed from a bare patch of ground and others have been sculpted from the old garden that existed previously, to modernize the clients outdoor space.    With a focus on natural materials such as Natural Stone paving, Stone walling, Timber screening, or planting to enhance the micro-environment of these outdoor rooms.  

I'm often asked about wildflower meadows and whether or not it's a good idea to incorporate one into a garden. My answer is almost certainly yes in most circumstances. 

In my own experience dealing with customers and new clients, it seems a common misconception that wildflower meadows require a lot of maintenance. Quite simply, they do not! 

The initial preparation for a wildflower meadow is often no more difficult than preparing an area for standard turf or grass seed. There are several seed compaines that now supply a wide range of wildflower meadow seed mixes and even wildflower turf that are specifically blended for different soil textures and aspects.   Once sown, a meadow can provide floral displays in the same season giving instant benefit to insects, butterflies and other invertebrates. Not to mention the benefits of long lasting colour, movement and sound it can bring to an outdoor space. At the end of the season, once the seed heads have ripened and released the seed, you simply strim or cut the meadow down to the ground and give it a good rake, raking out the thatch and dead stems. 

Now the area is prepared for next years growth!

One thing to note is that you should try to avoid creating a meadow near an ornamental lawn. The reason being is that when the wild flowers of an adjacent meadow begin to set seed they can spread to the lawn area.