Category: My Garden

Front Garden Makeover

My front garden is getting a makeover. We’ve done a fair bit to the front garden since moving in, in 2012. I filled the borders with shrubs, perennials and bulbs, and planted a Rowan tree. I planted fragrant climbing roses against the house. We put in cheap and cheerful raised beds so we could grow fruit and veg. It’s the… Read more →

Garden :: Loves and Hates

Last week, I asked my design students at the Norfolk School of Gardening to do a quick homework assignment. They had to send me two images: one image of a garden feature that they love, and one of something they hate. The pictures could be taken from magazines or websites, or taken during their travels in the week. It could… Read more →

My Garden :: Video Tour

I’ve done a video tour of my back garden to share with you while we’re all stuck at home due to Covid 19. As you’ll see, my garden is far from perfect and in need of lots of tlc. The weather is set to be lovely tomorrow, so I’m looking forward to getting it in better shape in the sunshine.… Read more →

New Stu-stu-studio!!

As a rule, I start to feel gloomy when the clocks go back. This year, I remain chipper because of my fabulous new ’shed’. I finally have a proper design studio*, rather than a weeny desk in the corner of our bedroom. I might just move out there, it’s sooo wonderful. There’s a photo tour below for your delectation! (*Correct pronunciation: “Stu-stu-studio” ala… Read more →

Embracing This False Spring

I am coming out of hibernation, like the frogs that have been hopping around my garden this week. False spring or not, my brain and body are convinced that it’s time to face the world again. This winter, I experienced the worst anxiety I have ever had to endure. So bad, in fact, that I resorted to drugs (the good… Read more →

Winter Reflections

I’m sitting at my desk, wearing thermals under a woolly jumper, and grabbing a few minutes to write before venturing out into the cold to do a survey for a new garden design. It’s taken me weeks, as usual, to come to terms with and embrace the fact that winter is inevitably here. I have lived in the UK for… Read more →

Autumn Reflections

It’s been quite a year of change for my garden, and for me too, actually. I always find myself reflecting on the past year in autumn, rather than at new year. I think it’s because the gardening season is coming to an end, and most plants are going into dormancy. Perhaps this is the time of year when all gardeners get a… Read more →

Coping With The Drought :: Sun Lovers

This is certainly proving to be the year to judge whether I have planted the right plant in the right place in my garden. Not only are we experiencing the driest summer in Norfolk since 1965 (or something like that, don’t quote me!), I have also lost two large trees this year. A pair of Norway Maples were taken down because they were… Read more →

Winter Cherry Blossom To Banish Your Blues

It’s February. Finally!! I don’t get on with January. It’s too grey, too cold, too dull, and too not-Christmas. But February is nearly spring. So I like it. One thing that has helped me get me through the particularly dreadful weather and cold/flu season that was January 2018, was the winter-flowering cherry tree in our front garden. I love this… Read more →