NEW MIXED BORDERS

A large planting project in a well established Hemel Hempstead back garden. The client was keen to add colour but not height around the tennis court so they could enjoy watching the children play from the patio by the house. Their preference was for scented plants and a blue, white and pink palette for this area of the garden.

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They were also keen on two additional curved borders on the right hand side to mirror the layout on the left and new planting in a central round bed under a large yew tree.

Their preference was a shrub border at the far end and a mixed border with plenty of herbaceous perennials and bulbs closer to the house with a blue, yellow and orange palette.

 

Dozens of shrub roses were planted on the sides of the court ( Rosa 'Gertrude Jekyll', 'Olivia Rose Austin',  England's Rose'); climber 'Wollerton Old Hall' on the corners and lavender shrubs on the front (Lavandula angustifolia 'Munstead');  by the entrance two olive trees stand proudly in large planters.  Roses and lavander are providing the sought after sensorial experience in the desired colours.

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The brief for the new borders was met by planting flowering shrubs and bulbs at the far end including Cornus alba 'Sibirica' for winter colour, Choisya x dewitteana 'Aztec Pearl' and Syringa Bloomerang Dark Purple providing two flowering seasons, a creeping blue blossom (Ceanothus thyrsiflorus var. repens), Lavandula angustifolia 'Hidcote' and Cornus alba 'Elegantissima' repeating the variegated leaves of the new Acer platanoides 'Drummondii'.

 

In the border closer to the house repetitions of Achillea, Salvia, Echinacea, Veronica and Geranium perennials,  Agapanthus, Fritillaria, Allium and Tulipa bulbs in the desired palette provide unity and the sought after blue and bright warm colours; repetition of evergreen and deciduous shrubs and grasses provide structure.

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The small round bed was planted en masse with Gaura lindheimeri and the odd Penstemon to create a see-through cloud of dainty flowers all summer long with dozens of Allium and Tulipa bulbs for spring interest.

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The new planting schemes contribute to biodiversity and to a pollinator- and wildlife-friendly garden, while the vibrant colours of herbaceous perennials and flowering shrubs uplift the previously bare spaces.