The Creation Of A Garden

The Creation Of A Garden

The garden here was not created in a month or even a year, but it has slowly evolved to become a haven for wildlife and ourselves, a design created back in 2005, with a combination of layered planting creating numerous habitats for wildlife in an urban environment. The mixture of evergreens and deciduous shrubs, with perennial planting, offers both interest, colour and structure for every month of the year. There is a large kitchen garden, which used to be the cricket pitch, which proves that areas can be redesigned and changed depending on what is needed for the family.

The Urban Oasis

The Urban Oasis

The house was built in 1930, a period that was affected by the First World War both economically and politically. Visually, it is a strong and boldly designed house, with unique individual details. The house, once a smallholding was built by a local family who are to this day still developing houses. During the 1930s the price of raw materials was favourable and so they were able to create a large house that accommodated not only a blacksmiths shop, and an orchard, but also fields and a barn for milking cows. Today it is surrounded by houses, but the land that encloses the house is substantial in modern day terms, allowing scope for significant design innovations.

The Green Wall

The Green Wall

It must be nearly two years since I was brought in to redesign this garden. A garden evolves and changes constantly, and my aim is to work alongside my clients throughout the seasons offering advice and help when needed. This particular garden although stunning had always appeared to be created in sections, not one of the areas cohesively blending with each other…

Client Testimonial

I contacted Julie (aka The Ordinary Gardener) after I lost my 120-year-old Ash tree. Losing the tree opened my garden to a huge range of possibilities with the help of Julies expert eye. As a professional garden designer, she was able to see ’the big picture’ and make changes to help the garden flow and create a whole new area within my garden which is stunning.

Latest Testimonial

“I moved into a new build house in April 2018. The back garden was a jungle of weeds. I needed a garden which would screen my house from neighbours whilst creating a haven for me to sit and enjoy. Julie listened carefully to my likes and dislikes of plants and to my vision of a garden for the future. Julie’s professional approach, her expertise, knowledge and passion ensured that she drew up a plan which from the beginning enchanted and excited me.

The Design Process

I use the garden frequently to give prospective clients ideas, not only with design but with plants and shrubs, its always a pleasure to have morning coffee and scones whilst discussing design ideas for their garden. I would however always suggest looking  in books and magazines for ideas, but sometimes better to see things in reality.  The photographs that I use on my mood boards come as much as possible from my garden or that of others I have visited ensuring that a design will work

History & Gardening

I study history and gardening in equal measures, and have always been interested in the fluctuations in our climate. The summer of 1666 was exceptionally hot, people in London were worried there would be another outbreak of the plague as did  happen the previous year. However on the morning of September 2nd it wasn’t the plague that struck London, but a fire, one that would devastate the city. ‘The Fire of London’ It was said that the lead from the roof of St Pauls ran down Ludgate Hill like a river. 

Garden Escape

I frequently read this statement written by Alan and totally endorse what is said. Many years ago my son and I saw Alan walking with his family around Chelsea Flower Show, there were no cameras, no reason why he should speak with us but we decided to ask for his autograph. We were welcomed with open arms, a cheerful optimistic person full of excitement and enthusiasm for where he was. A truly wonderful person to meet.

Potatoes & Rhubarb

This winter must have been the most unrelenting regarding the rainfall for some years, I don’t have the facts and figures I just know from the physical experience of being continually wet and sliding and skidding through deep mud when walking Bertie, and the frustration of not being able to get onto the garden.

A Chance Meeting with Beth Chatto (In my dreams!)

I am too cold today to even think, apart from spreading mushroom compost and walking Bertie, my Jack Russell terrier, I have too much to do, too much going on. I go inside and get myself a cup of tea and take a seat in the library there is a book that catches my eye,  I must have bought many years ago when we lived in Essex, Beth Chattos ‘Gardening Notebook’ and on reading the introduction I felt I wasn’t quite so alone after all.

The Stinging Nettle

The sting is produced from the long hairs on the leaves, pain will then be felt when you brush past without cover to your arms or legs and even when you do have cover they can still penetrate especially when young. The hairs break off and enter the skin depositing a chemical that causes pain and a rash. This defence system forms the perfect protection for the plant against grazing animals; the only animal that does not appear affected is the rabbit.

Euonymus Scale

If I had not seen the devastation this small white pest could do I would not have believed the outcome.  It was in 2014 that the Euonymus Scale first appeared in the garden, there had been an infestation of whitefly on the brassicas that year a particularly bad one, and at first sight and I admit now a very novice opinion or perhaps one of just hoping, that was that I thought It looked very much the same as whitefly.