Sculptures for Ponds

Choosing the right garden sculpture for your pond or water feature.

There are a number of things to consider before you purchase your garden sculpture for your pond, too big and it can dominate the garden, too small and it’s lost.

A large pond for a large fountain to ensure you don’t get a soaking on a windy day. It’s fun to watch our children running through water fountains on hot sunny days but this is possibly not the gauntlet you want to run each day in your own garden!

Sound of Water in the Garden

Sound is very important, do you want to hide the sound of traffic or aeroplanes? It doesn’t take much to muffle sounds or rather distract the ear with an alternative sound.

In this particular garden the Client wanted a garden sculpture that they could enjoy from all angles naturally around the garden and also from the house. We chose copper as we wanted to reflect on a sculpture the client had had in a previous garden.

Plants in my pond

There are plants that don’t like to be disturbed by too much moving water such as the Water Lily so chosing your water feature is so important.

The garden sculpture was commissioned from Gary Pickles

Gary Pickles Metallic Garden blog

Copper Water Feature

The morning glory sculpture is delightful as it catches the sunlight and it is a pleasure to sit by the pond and watch the water delicately tumbling from the flowers and leaves.

A plant of the Month
As a garden designer ensuring a garden has all year round interest so important. One shrub that is one of my plants of the month for a country garden is the Philadelphus. The ones I have in my garden are just coming into blossom. I know I’m in for a treat for the next few months.

The Philadelphus comes in many varities and if you have the space for one to grow I would strongly recommend ‘Virginal’ this will grow to 2.5m high smothered in double pure white flowers in June and July. When you catch the white flowers on a hot summers day gleam with a freshness against an azure blue sky it is something to behold. Not only that but the plant has a beautiful orange scent, hence the name Mock Orange.

If you are lacking in space the Philadelphus ‘Belle Etoile’ has a single flower with a great scent and only reaches 1.2m in height or even smaller is the ‘Manteau d’Hermine which reaches .75m in height. I have one that has a clipped box hedge in front of it, the dark leaf of the box contrasts with the fresh vibrant leaf of the Philadelphus. If you’re looking for a bit of interest later in the year you can plant a later flowering Clematis such as Taylors Clematis Margaret Hunt can then twist and curl over the shrub giving an extra interest to the garden.

Aspect
The Philadelphus likes sun or partial shade

Nurseries
This is a plant that is easily sourced from nurseries, I’m sure your local nursery will have a Philadelphus for your needs but if not try Crocus

If you’re looking for all year round interest in your garden and need some inspiration contact Samantha Willis Garden Designer in Oxford

Chelsea Flower Show May 2018

This year was another inspiring year for people and Garden Designers.  As a Garden Designer in Oxford I was impressed by the amazing diversity of gardens this year which was thoroughly enjoyable. Equally the flowers in the gardens this year were a great selection of plants and pallets.

VTP Capital Garden

I would not normally like a concrete garden and it is not often required for garden designers in Oxford but smooth concrete was greatly admired in the VTB Capital Garden – Spirit of Cornwall. Whilst not a traditional garden for this time of year with the Rhododendrons and Magnollias or even granite it did portray Cornwall.  As a Cornish person I was quizzed by my friends before I knew the story of the garden as to it’s location and I did guess correctly.

The lush sub tropical planting is an element of Cornwall and it was depicting the Hepworth Garden.  The metal path leading from one concrete seating platform to the pavilion was inspired and reflects the sound wave of music.  This was a beautiful garden where less certainly is more.

Skin Deep

I also loved Skin Deep Garden.  Each concrete block was designed to represent people with various skin conditions.  The more you looked at the blocks the more you noticed different textures, with the added influence of the sun and the shadows of the plants dancing on the blocks this garden was a constant source of wonder.  Whilst quite structured this garden was surprisingly relaxing, inviting you to sit on the blocks and enjoy the plants that were billowing around the blocks.  But there is no sitting in the gardens at Chelsea no matter how inviting.  So well cone Robert Barker for the design.

Garden Designer in Oxford

If you too are inspired for Chelsea and need a little help from a garden designer in Oxford please don’t hesitate to give me a call Samantha Willis 0771 858 6105

Beth Chatto – someone I admired

It is with great sadness that I heard that Beth Chatto has passed away.  She was an incredible lady, an inspiration to many garden designers.  I myself have her book The Shade Garden and also the Dry Garden. My books are  greatly thumbed through, a must have for garden designers.

I had the pleasure of walking around one of Beth Chatto’s  show gardens.  It was designed to demonstate a low water usage garden for The Prince of Wales Start Garden Party in 2010, encouraging sustainability.  It was an enormous treat for me to walk around such an inspiring garden.

I also treasure a hand written note I received form Beth Chatto.  She encouraged us garden designers and plant enthusiasts.

I have not made it to Beth Chatto’s gardens yet but as a garden designer in Oxford I have to make the journey.  I recently purchased some plants from the nursery to add to the shade garden I created recently so if you are looking for inspiration go to their nursery and plant something to remember a great lady of horticulture.