My Own Garden

My developing interest in gardening led us to buy our current house in Holmes Chapel with 2/3 acre of garden.

Most of the plants that I use in planting plans for clients have been used somewhere in my own garden. Some plants have exquisite flowers, some have shining bark all winter, others are grown for there perfume and the aim in a garden is to distribute these plants around the space to give a developing picture through the seasons. This overall effect can be much more impressive than any individual plant and is the art of skillful garden design.

A garden though is much more than plants. It needs 'good bones' - a structure of paving, paths, lawns and planting that encourage you to explore, to touch, to smell, or just relax.

You never finish creating a garden especially your own. These are recent photos of my garden after 25 years work. It is often helpful to see a full size shrub rather than imagining how a plant from the nursery will develop and I invite clients to come and have a look at the many plants I use which have reached maturity.