Garden design exeter

GETTING STARTED

REDESIGN ⋅ UPDATE ⋅ YOUR GARDEN

Garden Design Themes ⋅ Exeter

Traditional ⋅ Garden Design

Contemporary Garden Design

Tropical Garden Design

Prairie Garden designer ⋅ design exeter 

Zen Out And Relax ⋅ Japanese Gardens

Bulbs ⋅ Garden Design

MORE IDEAS ⋅ PLANTING COMBINATIONS

White Flower ⋅ Garden Design

A Slice Of Lemon

Green & Silver Foliage

Contrast Whites ⋅ Dark Colours

Cool White Wood Land

Turn Up The Heat ⋅ Hot Colours

FAVOURITE PLANTS

Grasses ⋅ Cost ⋅ Care

Hanging Baskets ⋅ Single Colours ⋅ Non- Variegated Blooms

Add Colour ⋅ Alliums ⋅ Agapanthus ⋅ Crocosmia

Bamboo ⋅ Garden Design

Box Hedging ⋅ Garden Design

Accessories

GARDEN DESIGN THEMES EXETER

It’s time to choose your garden design theme. You may want a traditional garden design, Exeter. How about a modern contemporary garden design? Or a tropical or zen garden design.

GET PERSONAL ⋅ FRIENDS GARDENS

Choosing a garden design theme is personal. It should reflect your tastes. You may like a friend garden. Maybe you want a complete change. Or would like to update a tired garden.

PINTEREST · WEB · VISIT GARDENS

Why not have look on the web for ideas and inspiration. Create a Pinterest of ideas. Visiting gardens can also be a source of inspiration, especially during the summer. And a trip to a specialist nursery is always worth the time and effort.

COMPLIMENT YOUR PROPERTY • EXETER

Try to complement your property’s look and feel. Always try to work with existing garden features. Remember a garden design theme is not in stone.

OLD AND NEW · GARDEN DESIGN EXETER

It’s ok to mix and match elements from different themes. Creating your own personal style. Finally. Bring it all together in your garden design. Check out our garden design themes for ideas of great garden design. Quality materials and construction will always stand out in any garden design.

POPULAR ⋅ GARDEN DESIGN THEMES ⋅ EXETERS 

• White garden design ⋅ exmouth
• Contemporary garden design ⋅ exmouth exeter
• Tropical garden design ⋅ exmouth 
•  Zen garden design ⋅ exmouth 
• Prairie garden design ⋅ exmouth 
• Small garden design ⋅ exmouth 
• Traditional garden design ⋅ exmouth • exeter

GARDEN DESIGN ⋅ IDEAS INSPIRATION ⋅ EXETER

Garden design themes ⋅ contemporary ⋅ traditional ⋅ tropical ⋅ zen ⋅ white garden

Garden design ⋅ garden design guide ⋅ ideas gallery ⋅ courtyard small gardens ⋅ garden makeovers

CONTEMPORARY GARDEN DESIGN EXETER

© Exeter Landscapes ⋅ modern garden ideas

CONTEMPORARY GARDEN DESIGN

MODERN BUILDS · RENOVATIONS · PERIOD  PROPERTIES

Contemporary garden design works well for modern builds or renovations. If done well. Contemporary garden design can work well in period properties. Contrasting and highlighting the property’s period features and updating a tired and dated look.  Combine quality sandstone paving with a bold planting scheme to create a design classic.

MATERIALS ⋅ CONTEMPORARY ⋅ GARDEN DESIGN · EXETER

Sandstone paving always looks great in a contemporary garden design. Choose strong muted colours. Add bold a paving design. With well-designed lines.

SANDSTONE EDGING · GARDEN DESIGN EXETER

Maybe add edging sets for definition. Compliment with a strong planting scheme. Combine interesting shapes with vibrant colours. Don’t overcomplicate your garden design. Avoid complicated curves. There will cost you more in terms of labour and can waste material.

Always add strong shapes. For a contemporary feel. Lay large paving stones. In a single-sized pattern.

 ADD BORDERS ⋅ EDGING SETTS · GARDEN DESIGN EXETER

Add a contemporary stone border. Use complementary edging setts. Avoid garish geometric patterns. They will date over time. Add can be hard to live with. Use planting borders to ‘ bed in’ your paving. Softening edges. Creating subtle curves in your garden design exeter.

© Exeter Landscapes ⋅ contemporary garden design ⋅ designer

MATERIALS ⋅ CONTEMPORARY GARDEN ⋅ DESIGN EXETER

Design features ⋅ garden lighting ⋅ fire pits ⋅ slatted fences ⋅ decking ⋅ rendered planters

Paving ⋅ smooth sandblast sandstone ⋅ granite ⋅ kandula grey sandstone ⋅ porcelain tiles

Edging ⋅ borders ⋅ granite sites ⋅ ever edge

Retaining walls ⋅ render walls ⋅ k render ⋅ design clad

MATERIALS ⋅ IDEAS INSPIRATION

Materials ⋅ paving ⋅ decking ⋅ raise beds ⋅ fencing ⋅ ideas gallery

PLANTS’ ⋅ CONTEMPORARY GARDEN DESIGN EXETER

Use planting effectively. Soften your landscaping materials. Adding interest to your garden designer ⋅ design Exeter. Mask unsightly garden features. With climbers and hedges. For added interest. Add strong shapes to beds and borders. Plant garden borders with lush drifts of ‘hot’ colours. Create a backdrop. Add structural shrubs. Contrast colour with dark foliage. Create a focal point. Add specimen trees and shrubs.

© Exeter Landscapes ⋅ contemporary garden design ⋅ exmouth ⋅ designer

Focal points ⋅ pleached trees ⋅ olives ⋅ acers ⋅ tree ferns ⋅ silver birch ⋅ magnolia ⋅ beech columns

Red ⋅ crocosmia ⋅ kniphothia ⋅ gaura ⋅ camelia ⋅ rhododendron ⋅ hellenium ⋅ poppy

Blue ⋅ lavender ⋅ agapanthus ⋅ alliums ⋅ iris ⋅ echinops ⋅ verbena ⋅ eryngium

Yellow ⋅ rudbeckia ⋅ iris ⋅ tulips ⋅ achillea ⋅ azelea

White ⋅ iris ⋅ hydrangea ⋅ tulip ⋅ echinacae

STRUCTURAL PLANTS ⋅ CONTEMPORARY ⋅ GARDEN DESIGN EXETER

© Exeter Landscapes ⋅ contemporary garden design

CONTRAST HOT ⋅ COLOURS AND DARK ⋅ BACKGROUND

Medium ⋅ phormium ⋅ carex ⋅ festuca ⋅ pennisetum ⋅ euphorbia ⋅ pittosporum ⋅ heuchera ⋅ hebe.

Large ⋅ fatsia ⋅ smoke bush ⋅ mahonia ⋅ bamboo ⋅ mischanthus ⋅ acer ⋅ box balls.

Hedges ⋅ photina ⋅ copper beech ⋅ berberis.

Climbers ⋅ trachelospermum jasminoides.

PLANTS ⋅ IDEAS ⋅ INSPIRATIONS

Planting guide ⋅ choosing plants ⋅ how to plant ⋅ aftercare

Plant groups ⋅ shrubs ⋅ hedges climbers ferns ⋅ evergreen ⋅ low maintenance ⋅ wildlife plants

PLANTING COMBINATIONS ⋅ CONTEMPORARY 

© Exeter Landscapes ⋅ contemporary garden design

BOLD PLANTING ⋅ TOUCH OF ELEGANCE ⋅ GARDEN DESIGN EXMOUTH

Modern box ⋅ allium ⋅ skimmia ⋅ olive 1/2 standard ⋅ pittosporum ‘tom thumb’ ⋅ box hedging ⋅ eryngium

Silver ⋅ white ⋅astilbe ⋅ white tulip ⋅ gaura ⋅ pachysandra ⋅silver birch

Simple ground cover ⋅ acer ⋅ viburnum davidii ⋅ heuchera ⋅ shield ferns

Planting combinations ⋅ traditional ⋅ contemporary ⋅ zen

TROPICAL GARDEN DESIGNER ⋅ DESIGN EXETER

© Exeter Landscapes ⋅ garden ideas

TROPICAL GARDEN DESIGNER ⋅ DESIGN EXETER

MATERIALS ⋅ TROPICAL GARDEN DESIGN EXMOUTH

© Exeter Landscapes ⋅ tropical garden design ⋅ designer ⋅ exmouth

WOW FACTOR ⋅ FOLIAGE ⋅ VIBRANT COLOURS

Combine lush foliage with vivid vibrant colours. With natural landscaping materials. Real timber decking and natural paving stone. For a contemporary twist. Add a hardwood slatted fence. Focal points. Water feature for movement. Specimen plants, tree ferns and palms.

MATERIALS ⋅ TROPICAL ⋅ GARDEN DESIGNER ⋅ DESIGN EXETER

Design features ⋅ hardwood decking ⋅ q-deck ⋅ slatted fence ⋅ sunken hot tubs.

Paving ⋅ slate ⋅ black limestone ⋅ granite

Edging ⋅ borders ⋅ timber ⋅ black limestone setts ⋅ ever edge

Retaining walls ⋅ softwood sleepers ⋅ hardwood sleepers

MATERIALS ⋅ IDEAS INSPIRATION

Materials ⋅ paving ⋅ decking ⋅ raise beds ⋅ fencing ⋅ ideas gallery

PLANTS ⋅ TROPICAL GARDEN DESIGN ⋅ EXMOUTH

© Exeter Landscapes ⋅ decking ⋅ crocosmia ⋅ phormium ⋅ garden design ⋅ exmouth

Add drifts of hot colours. Combine with a backdrop. Of lush green foliage. Add height and interest. Specimen plants, Tree Ferns and Palms. Enclose or screen areas. Add bamboo. Soften fences or walls by Adding climbers.

Focal points ⋅ tree ferns

Red ⋅ crocosmia ⋅ canna Lilly ⋅ camelia ⋅ rhododendrons.

Blues ⋅ agapanthus ⋅ iris ⋅ azelia.

Yellow ⋅ iris ⋅ kniphofia.

White ⋅ camelia ⋅ astilbe ⋅ yucca.

STRUCTURAL PLANTS ⋅ TROPICAL GARDENS

© Exeter Landscapes ⋅ tropical garden design ⋅ designer ⋅ exmouth

HOT COLOURS ⋅ BACKDROP OF LUSH FOLIAGE

Medium ⋅ ferns ⋅ phormium ⋅ hosta ⋅ japanese surge ⋅euphorbia.

Large ⋅ fatisa ⋅ smoke bush ⋅ bamboo ⋅ mahonia ⋅ acuba.

Hedges ⋅ laurel ⋅ bamboo screen ⋅ photina.

Climbers ⋅ trachelospermum jasminoides ⋅ hedera.

PLANTS ⋅ IDEAS ⋅ INSPIRATIONS

Planting guide ⋅ choosing plants ⋅ how to plant ⋅ aftercare

Plant groups ⋅ shrubs ⋅ hedges climbers ferns ⋅ evergreen ⋅ low maintenance ⋅ wildlife plants

PLANTING COMBINATIONS ⋅ TROPICAL GARDEN DESIGN EXETER

COMBINE HOT COLOURS ⋅ AND LUSH FOLIAGE

Modern tropical ⋅ crocosmia ⋅ helenium ⋅ hosta ⋅ acer ⋅ phormium tricolour ⋅ phormium ⋅ bronze ⋅ fatsia

Planting combinations ⋅ traditional ⋅ contemporary ⋅ zen

PRAIRIE GARDEN DESIGNER ⋅ DESIGN EXETER EXETER

IDEAS ⋅ carex ⋅ rudbeckia ⋅ pennisetum ⋅ garden design ⋅ designer ⋅ exmouth

PRAIRIE GARDEN DESIGNER ⋅ DESIGN EXETER

HIT THE PRAIRIE ⋅ LOW MAINTENANCE GARDENS

Create a relaxed feel to your garden design in Exeter. Add movement and colour. Plant-coloured perennials with bladed grasses. Combine with natural stone walkways and timber decking.

MATERIALS ⋅ PRAIRIE GARDEN DESIGN ⋅ EXETER

© Exeter Landscapes ⋅ prairie garden design ⋅ designer ⋅ exmouth

Compliment drifts of colours with natural stone walkways. Add a traditional decking area for entertaining.

Design features ⋅ decking ⋅ timber edge walk ways ⋅ gravel path & beds.

Paving ⋅ slate ⋅ sandstone ⋅ porcelain tiles ⋅ granite.

Edging ⋅ borders ⋅ timber ⋅ bricks⋅ black limestone setts ⋅ ever edge.

Retaining walls ⋅ rendered walls ⋅ softwood sleepers.

MATERIALS ⋅ IDEAS INSPIRATION

Materials ⋅ paving ⋅ decking ⋅ raise beds ⋅ fencing ⋅ ideas gallery

PRAIRIE PLANTS ⋅ GARDEN DESIGN ⋅ EXMOUTH

CREATE A GARDEN WITH A RELAXED FEEL

Create a relaxed garden with an informal feel. Add movement and interest to your Garden designer ⋅ design exeter. Combine perennial grasses with drifts of subtle colour. Care for your grasses. Leave faded silver foliage for winter interest. Cut back and encourage new growth in early spring.

IDEAS ⋅ pennisetum ⋅ verbena ⋅ phormium ⋅ prairie garden design ⋅ designer ⋅ exmouth

Focal points ⋅ olives ⋅ laurel ⋅ photinia miscantus ‘sinensis’

Red ⋅ hellenium ⋅ poppy ⋅ guara ⋅ sedum ⋅ echinacea.

Blue ⋅ agapanthus ⋅ verbena ⋅ alliums ⋅ echinops.

Yellow ⋅ rudbekia ⋅ sunflower ⋅ iris.

White ⋅ anenomes ⋅ aster ⋅ astilbe.

STRUCTURAL PLANTS ⋅ PRAIRIE GARDEN ⋅ DESIGN EXETER

IDEAS ⋅ helenium ⋅ stipa ‘feather grass’ ⋅ echinops ⋅ designer exeter ⋅ garden design exmouth

Medium ⋅ festuca ⋅ euphorbia ⋅ stipa ⋅ hebes ⋅ pennisetum ⋅ phormium.

Large ⋅ fatisa ⋅ smoke bush ⋅ phormiums ⋅ mahonia ⋅ mischanthus.

Hedges ⋅ photina ⋅ berberis.

Climbers ⋅ trachelospermum jasminoides ⋅ hedera.

PLANTS ⋅ IDEAS ⋅ INSPIRATIONS

Planting guide ⋅ choosing plants ⋅ how to plant ⋅ aftercare

Plant groups ⋅ shrubs ⋅ hedges climbers ferns ⋅ evergreen ⋅ low maintenance ⋅ wildlife plants

Planting combinations ⋅ traditional ⋅ contemporary ⋅ zen

ZEN OUT AND RELAX ⋅ JAPANESE GARDENS

© Exeter Landscapes ⋅ zen garden design ⋅ gardener ⋅ exmouth

ZEN OUT AND RELAX ⋅ JAPANESE GARDENS

FOR RELAXATION ⋅ MEDITATION

Complement traditional sandstone paving with large smooth boulders & light-coloured ornamental gravel. Add Barked areas. Adding contrast to gravel beds. Lighting will add an extra dimension. Perfect for entertaining in those long hot summer nights.

CREATE A MINI WOODLAND

Plant a string or cluster of multi-stemmed silver birch trees. Under plant with ground cover: Japanese pachysandra or vinca major. Add Japanese shield ferns, interplanted with white astille.

JAPANESE STYLE PLANTS ⋅ GARDEN DESIGN EXMOUTH

bamboo, fatisa japonica, phormium, hosta, pinus mugo and clipped box cubes. acers or maples: reds acers work well with red heucheras. and surprisingly green acers work well with new ‘lime’ green coloured varieties.

Focal points 1 ⋅ magnolia ⋅ cloud trees ⋅ classic topiary.

Focal points 2 ⋅ stone sculptures ⋅ clusters of boulders ⋅ stone seating areas ⋅ zen water features.

Small ⋅ cyclamen ⋅ crocosmia lucifer ⋅ japanese blood grass ⋅ fetuca ⋅hosta ⋅ pachysandra.

Medium ⋅ red camellia ⋅ azelia ⋅ white hydrangea ⋅ white magnolia ⋅ pinus mungo.

PLANTS ⋅ IDEAS ⋅ INSPIRATIONS

Planting guide ⋅ choosing plants ⋅ how to plant ⋅ aftercare

Plant groups ⋅ shrubs ⋅ hedges climbers ferns ⋅ evergreen ⋅ low maintenance ⋅ wildlife plants

Planting combinations ⋅ traditional ⋅ contemporary ⋅ zen

BULBS ⋅ GARDEN DESIGN ⋅ EXETER

Bulbs are extremely easy to grow in your garden. Add formal arrangements or natural drifts of colour to garden design. Great for adding an early splash of colour. A welcome break during those dull winter months. Bulbs are great value, especially when bought in bulk.

FORMAL SPRING COLOUR

Add aliums ‘globemaster’ and tulip ‘blue parrot’ and frame with buxus box hedging. Finish the bed off by adding ornamental gravel or a dense blue carpet of forget-me-nots.

EARLY SUMMER COLOUR

Create an informal Prairie garden. Add Iris ‘symphony’ for its subtle yellow colour. Combine with reds poppies and blues verbena. Add grasses for height and interest: miscanthus, stipa and festuca.

YELLOWS ⋅ BLUES

Combine yellow Tulip ‘sweet harmony’ and with a carpet of blue forget-me-nots.

Garden design ⋅ Complement with dark leave heucheras and berberis ⋅ Green leafed Euphorbia ⋅ White daffodils.

WINTER HOT COLOURS

Add Crocus ‘luteus’. Yellow goblets of colour, surrounded by a carpet of rich magenta – cyclamen coum. Add white snow drops, for that extra sparkle.

PLANTS ⋅ IDEAS ⋅ INSPIRATIONS

Planting guide ⋅ choosing plants ⋅ how to plant ⋅ aftercare

Plant groups ⋅ shrubs ⋅ hedges climbers ferns ⋅ evergreen ⋅ low maintenance ⋅ wildlife plants

Planting combinations ⋅ traditional ⋅ contemporary ⋅ zen

CREATE STRONG GARDEN DESIGN ⋅ EXETER

Creating a strong design should always be your starting point. A good design will transform any garden design in Exeter.  Helping you to identify key elements and focal points.  Helping you to visualise the entire garden design, Exeter.  Helping you to prioritise your overall project.

Exeter Landscapes · Large · Garden designer ⋅ design exeter

Over the years we have re-designed gardens of all shapes and sizes. Contemporary, traditional, and tropical garden designs in Exeter.  For both traditional and contemporary properties.  Urban Zen garden design is also gaining popularity/ 

Garden Design Guide · Exeter · Exmouth

Here’s our guide to re-designing your garden creating a great garden design through Exeter. Including key garden design themes, plants, and planting combinations for your garden design Exeter. 

Our current favourite plants and garden accessories: seating, BBQs, wood stores and pizza ovens. Creating a great garden designer ⋅ design Exeter.

Re-design ⋅ Update Key Areas ⋅ Garden Design · Exeter

You may want to completely redesign your garden design. Or update key garden design areas in Exeter. Sometimes you don’t have the budget to redesign the whole garden design from scratch, Exeter.  This is especially true of large mature gardens. 

Update Key Areas · Garden Design Exeter

It’s sometimes a good idea to update key areas.  Concentrating your time. Effort and money!  You may want to create a new seating area.  From decking or natural stone paving.  Or create a pathway to link key areas in your garden design, Exeter. 

Garden Make Overs · Design Exeter · Exmouth

This is where a maker over or updating key areas comes into play. Concentrate on key regions of your garden design. Rather than the garden as a whole.

Established Garden Design Exeter · Garden makeovers are great for established gardens. Which already contain key elements or focal points.

• Refreshing your planting can do wonders for your tired garden designer ⋅ design exeter.

• Cleaning your paving and brickwork. With a jet wash and specialist paving cleaner. Will smarted up any garden. At a relatively small cost. Especially if your budget is tight.

BUDGET · SIZE OF GARDEN · LEVELS· DRAINAGE

You need to think carefully about your budget. For your garden design Exeter.  It is always more cost-effective to tackle the whole garden in one hit. Then attempt the garden design stage, by stage. For a large garden, this may be unfeasible. In terms of time and money. And you may need to prioritise your key design elements.

Materials · Labour · Garden Design · Exeter · Exmouth

Materials are generally expensive. Labour is never cheap. Some design elements can be materials rich and labour hungry.

Rendered walls · block wall covered with rendered and painted. Look great in both traditional and contemporary garden design, Exeter. Any wall will need a footing. To prevent cracks and the wall. Leaning and falling over. Over time. Next you need to lay the blocks. Add the stainless steel beading for the render. Add the render and paint. Labour and materials can be pricey! Especially when compared to a sleeper wall!

Paving · Garden Design Exeter

Paving can be relatively pricey. Especially when laying slate and granite paving. Opt for sandstone paving laid in single-sized pavers. Great value for materials. And the single-sized stones fill to reduce wastage. And labour for your garden design, Exeter.

Decking · Garden Design Exeter

Decking is great value for any garden design, Exeter. Softwood decking is easy to work with. And looks great. Especially when using smooth decking boards. Giving your garden design that boardwalk feels, Exeter.

Levels · Garden Design · Exmouth · Designer · Exeter

What is a level? · Garden Design · Exmouth · Designer · Exeter

It’s whether your garden is flat, or sloppy.  Or generally uneven.  Most gardens slope away from the house.  The rain water drains into the beds.  And not your house.

Garden On Hills · Garden Design · Exmouth · Designer · Exeter

Some gardens are on hills.  Many have retaining walls.  Terrraces or split levels.  Or all three.  Drainage can be a problem!

Fixing Levels · Garden Design · Exmouth · Designer · Exeter

Levels or a lack of them. Is always expensive. In terms of getting rid of materials. Bringing materials. Or redistributing materials.

Decking · Levels · Garden Design · Exmouth · Designer · Exeter

Decking can be used to bridge minor unlevel areas. Drainage or waterlogging can be an issue in some garden design, Exeter. And is expensive to fix successfully.

Removing Clay · Top Soil · Garden Design · Exmouth · Designer · Exeter

If you are lucky.  The first layer of your garden.  Will be topsoil.   Most of which.  Will have been brought into your garden.  Underneath.  It’s likely your will hit the clay!

Getting Rid of Soil · Garden Design Exeter

When getting rid of soil.  It’s a good idea to pile up the topsoil.  And skip the clay.  Saving the topsoil for turfing or filling raised beds.  Hiring a mini digger.  It will certainly help the clay removal.

Retaining Walls · Exmouth · Designer · Exeter

Adding retaining walls may be necessary.  If your garden contains.  Extremely changes in height. That can be expensive and time-consuming to construct.  

Sleeper Retaining Walls · Exmouth · Designer · Exeter

This is probably the least expensive option for retaining soil.  For small walls.  4-5 sleepers height.  Concrete timber posts.  Can be employed to hold the sleepers in place.   For larger walls.  It’s worth containing a structural engineer.

One method involves slotting the sleepers into concerted steels.

Block Retaining Walls · Exmouth · Garden Design · Exeter

SEATING AREAS · FOCAL POINTS · SCREENING AREAS

Most garden designs will need a seating area. For relaxation and outdoor dining. Adding areas for entertaining is always an important aspect of any garden design in Exeter.

It’s good to have at least one focal point in your garden design in Exeter. Decide on its location. A view from your house. Or from your garden seating area.

Focal points · Water Features · Slatted Fence · Garden Design Exeter

MASK AREAS · SCREENING · GARDEN DESIGN EXETER

Many areas have aspects that ruin your garden design, Exeter. The old concrete garage, storage sheds or outbuilding. They are practical and probably expensive to replace or even remove. Masking or screening could be your solution.

SCREENING · HEDGES · CLIMBERS · SLATTED FENCE · CLADDING

Hedges · Screening · Photina · Laurel · Yew · Garden Design Exeter

A hedge is a green way to obscure unsightly features in your garden design, Exeter. Hedging options include modern photinia, fast-growing and easy to care for. Laurel hedging. Grows rapidly creating a thick dense hedge. Can be labour intensive to prune. Yew is the king of hedges. Evergreen and lush. Prune carefully and lightly. Otherwise, you will create bare spots in your hedge.

Whips · Pot Grown Plants · Bare Root Hedging

Buying options include pot grown, whips and bare root. Whips are the cheapest available in the autumn-winter months. Where the plants are dormant. Some will die but they are so cheap it doesn’t really matter. Pot grown is the most expensive and can be planted throughout the year. Bare roots are kind of in between the two in price and maturity. The roots are bare – that is not in a pot. The roots do have a mesh around them. That you leave in place. Which retains some soil.

Planting · Watering · Feed · Hedging · Garden designer ⋅ design exeter

Plant in a trench and backfill. Available autumn and winter. When the plants are dormant. As with any plants water after planting. Keeping the plants will water during the summer can be problematic. Especially during long dry hot spells. Where your hedging can be scorched. Some plants do benefit from a sprinkling or bone meal or hedge in feed.

Climbers · White Jasmine · Clematis · Garden designer ⋅ design exeter

Climbers work well on fences, old sheds or out builds. Simple wire up your area and add your climber. White jasmine or Trachelospermum is great. Evergreen with a lush scent. White clematis is classic. Avoid ivy. It’s pretty invasive and becomes heavier. It will bring down your victorian garden wall.

Slatted Fencing · Garden designer ⋅ design exeter

A contemporary slatted fence works well in both a traditional and contemporary garden design. A slatted fence can be used to clad sheds or outbuildings. They can be left natural, stained or painted. Timber options include planned softwood. Or planned hardwood. Such as cedar or meranti.

Cladding · Garden designer ⋅ design exeter

Cladding works well on old outbuildings or garages. A variety of profiles are available. Including traditional Shiplap, Hardie Plank And TGV. Check out the Southern Timbers range. Cladding is tanalised. So can be left natural or painted. All Coat is great. No primer or under coat. Great coverage and one coat. Available in a great range of colours and finishes. Satin or matt always looks best in your garage design, Exeter.

SELECTING MATERIALS ⋅ GARDEN DESIGNER ⋅ DESIGN EXETER[DIVIDER SCROLL_TEXT ]

Budgets · Taste · Quality · Garden designer ⋅ design exeter

Selecting natural materials will always help your garden design, Exeter. The materials will depend on your budget, tastes and your overall garden design, Exeter. Quality natural materials will always look better and last longer. As they say. You get what you pay for. Saying that imported natural stone is good value. Even compared to the man-made concrete products.

Natural Stone · Garden designer ⋅ design exeter

Natural stone will always enhance your garden design, Exeter. Natural stone ages well over time.

Natural stone · Slate · Sandstone · Granite · Limestone

Timber · Garden designer ⋅ design exeter

Quality timber looks great in any garden design in Exeter. Timber garden design ideas include Decking, contemporary slatted fencing, trellis, cladding and pergolas. All exterior timber is tanalised. Giving the wood protection from rot and insect attack. Timber is available in rough sawn or planned finishes.

Boulders · Quality Timber And Natural Aggregates ⋅ Boulders · Pebbles

Boulder, pebbles and shingle will all enhance your garden design. Combining complementary materials will always strengthen your garden design, Exeter.

Boulders will look great in a Zen or tropical garden design. Shinlge looks great. Don’t overdo it. Its not a car park. Its not a great surface for tables and chairs. And forget bare feat. It looks got on a small scale. Around boulders.

Soften With Planting · Garden Design · Exeter · Designer

Finally, soften your hard landscaping with bold planting combinations. Always plant in groups, for maximum impact. And combine interesting foliage with strong vibrant colours. Creating a strong garden designer ⋅ design Exeter. A personal favourite for foliage phormiums, pittosporum, tom thumb, box ball and bamboo. Colour alliums, agapanthus and crocosmia. For all-year interest stip grasses, Miscanthus grass and tree ferns.

LOOK AT YOUR GARDEN DESIGN · EXETER

LOOK AT YOUR GARDEN DESIGN ⋅ CREATE A WISH LIST

It’s a good starting point, to create a wish list, for your garden design in Exeter. Be realistic, in terms of your gardens space when creating your garden design in Exeter. And bear in mind your garden design budget. Remember at the end of your garden design project. To leave some money for your plants. Be practical. You can’t get rid of everything when creating your new garden designer ⋅ design exeter. You may need a compost bin, storage for bikes and an area for drying clothes. You can hide and mask areas and improve others! Try to prioritise your garden design in Exeter.

WHAT DO YOU WANT TO KEEP? ⋅ BE POSITIVE ⋅ EXETER GARDEN DESIGN

It’s always tempting to want a completely blank canvas when creating your new garden design. Great if you have a large budget and a lot of time when designing your garden. Some things are expensive to fix in any garden. A sloping garden. Removing large trees. Replacing existing patios.

You may be lucky enough to have some mature plants ⋅ trees and shrubs. They may just need a shape or prune. Maybe you have a natural stone patio, that needs a good clean or repointing. Saving money in your garden designer ⋅ design exeter.

WHAT WOULD YOU CHANGE? ⋅ BE BRAVE! ⋅ GARDEN DESIGNER ⋅ DESIGN EXETER

Sometimes you need to bite the bullet and remove and replace it when designing your garden. Tired leggy plants. Mossy, thin lawns. Rotten timber ⋅ decks ⋅ fences or sheds. Old concrete pavers. Won’t enhance any garden designer ⋅ design exeter

Large beds ⋅ can be hard to maintain. Go low maintenance ⋅ smaller beds ⋅ add bark and select drought torrent plants. Evergreen shrubs for all year interest. Plant bulbs and perennials for a splash of colour.

WHAT WOULD YOU LIKE TO ADD? ⋅ GAREN DESIGN EXETER

Seating Areas ⋅ Garden Design · Exeter

You probably want a flat seating area for entertaining, for a table and chairs. Avoid gravel, it’s for car parks. Create a contemporary sandstone patio for your garden designer ⋅ design exeter. Paving options include sandstone natural paving, granite natural stone paving, porcelain and slate natural stone paving.

Decks ⋅ Garden Design · Exeter

Decks are great for changes in levels. Quality decking is always a classic in any garden design situation. Always opt for a natural timber deck. Softwood decking offers great value for money. Available in both grooved and softwood decking boards. Hardwood decking will look great in any garden design throughout Exeter. When installing hardwood decking. Think about using stainless steel screws for extra durability. Keep your decking design classic in your garden design. Add classic straight lines. Avoid curves. It’s more work and tends to look dated. Keep your decking boards straight and avoid diagonals. It makes your decking frame harder to design, wastes materials and looks fussy!

Go for the classic boardwalk feel in your garden designer ⋅ design exeter. Add recessed lighting. Allowing you to entertain well into the night. Quality composite decking may be an option for your garden design. It’s durable and comes in a variety if finished and colours. From faux timber to subtle shades of greys and light blues. Millboard is a premier composite

decking product. Which will enhance any garden design in Exeter.

Paths to link areas ⋅ Garden Design

Paths are a great way to add interest and link areas in your garden designer ⋅ design exeter. Straight paths look great in a formal traditional garden design. opt for strong curves for a contemporary garden design. Sandstone, granite and slate look great in any garden design. Frame your paths with sandstone setts will add an extra level of detail to your garden. Try where possible to avoid steps, by creating a gradual gradient throughout your paths.

Raised beds⋅ Garden designer ⋅ design exeter

There are numerous uses for raised beds in your garden design. Add extra planting space to a courtyard garden. Sleepers look great and are good value for money in a traditional or courtyard garden. Plant with compact tall plants. Phormiums, grasses and verbena will always complement each other in your garden designer ⋅ design exeter.

Render Walls ⋅ Garden designer ⋅ design Exeter

Add a white rendered wall raised bed, creating an ‘outdoor’ room, in your contemporary garden designer ⋅ design exeter. Great for retaining soil in a garden. Or again creating more planting space. K-render is a great product. It has a pigment in it. And never needs painting.

Vegetable Garden⋅ Garden designer ⋅ design exeter

Create a vegetable garden out of softwood sleepers or decking boards in your garden design. Add drainage material and fill with soil and compost. Why not add an irrigation system or a leaking hose to cut down on watering during those long hot summer months!

FOCALS POINT ⋅ SEATING AREAS ⋅ GARDEN DESIGN EXETER

Add specimen trees or shrubs ⋅ Garden designer ⋅ design exeter

Some plants are fillers. Some plants add focal points in key areas in your garden designer ⋅ design exeter. Specimen plants add interest and structure to your garden design, Exeter. Evergreens are useful for all year round cover. And many can be clipped into architectural shapes. Great examples include ⋅ box balls ⋅ bay tree pyramids ⋅ pleached photinia.

Specimen plants don’t have to be expensive. But sometimes have to be planted on mass for maximum effect. Bamboo always looks good. If well water and given the occasional feed. Palms are more expensive and useful in milder south climates. Avoid exposing your palm to high winds as they can end up looking tired and scorched in your garden designer ⋅ design exeter.

Stellata magnolia has magnificent blooms. Camellias offer welcomed coloured blooms in late spring or early summer.

Bamboo always looks impressive in any tropical setting. Tree ferns and chamaerops palms look great planted with phormiums and agapanthus.

WATER FEATURES ⋅ GARDEN DESIGNER ⋅ DESIGN EXETER

Water features always add sound and movement to any outdoor space. Wall-mounted fountains are great for courtyard garden designer ⋅ design exeter. Where space is at a premium. If you have more space add a formal pool. Anything reclaimed will look good. Including galvanized troughs. If they leak don’t worry. Buy square pond insert. Plant around it to disguise the pond liner. Soft to the top with large pebbles or shingle.

Avoid large ponds as they can be high maintenance. And are they not child or pet friendly? Instead opt for a natural drilled stone, fed from a buried sump and grill. Power by a small electric pump. Disguised the grill with stones, pebbles, and planting. Sometimes a large shallow corten steel dish can add interest. Creating reflection in your garden design exter.

What would you like to hide? ⋅ Garden designer ⋅ design exeter

Many gardens designs have unsightly areas. Things you can‘t really remove. Bins, the need for storage ⋅ recycling ⋅ garden tool ⋅ bikes. Old walls. Old sheds or outhouses.

The view of neighbour’s satellite dishes! (my personal favourite) Maybe you are overlooked by neighbours and you want to create some privacy for your garden space. Screening may be the answer to your garden design prayers Exeter.

Bamboo screens ⋅ Garden designer ⋅ design exeter

Adding bamboo screens are a great way to gain instant privacy in your garden design in Exeter. Sleeper raised beds, are a great way of containing them. And adding a bit of extra height to your screening. The sleeper beds need to be planted with mature plants. Especially if you need a thick screen. Don’t skimp. Water well for the first year. They are evergreen and also filter out some of the neighbour’s nose. They can be divided over time if they get too busy. THere create great movement on the wind in your garden designer ⋅ design exeter. It is a good idea to add some support to large plants. Particularly in windy locations. Elastic bungee cords and stakes work particularly well.

Bamboo is a thirsty plant. And so be prepared to water them in those long hot summer months. They will work in pots. But will need feeding and water. Here a simple irrigation system will make the job easier!

Add climbers ⋅ Garden designer ⋅ design exeter

Disguise tired fencing or poor brickwork, with climbers. Simply attach wires and train the climbers against the fence or wall. White jasmine is evergreen. And offers all year round cover. Clematis are fast-growing and always a favourite. opt for a classic white variety. Honeysuckle is more vigorous and suited to a traditional garden designer ⋅ design exeter. Saves the annual painting. Its work replacing any rotten panels. I would avoid ivy. It does look good. But is a heavy climber and can pull down walls over time!

Hedging ⋅ create privacy ⋅ Garden designer ⋅ design exeter

Hedging is always an option when trying to create some privacy in your garden designer ⋅ design exeter. It’s a long term solution. As it can take a long time to grow! Think about its maintenance – avoid that nuisance leylandii. Option include pot grown plants. These tend to be quite expensive. Especially the taller plants.

Rootballs are cheaper and generally put in those autumn-winter months. They need a lot of water and are prone to scorching. Some hedging plants are available as whips. These are the least expensive and probably the quickest to plant. They will take a while to establish. Some will die. And the hedge can look scruffy for a few months. However, they are great for look runs of hedging when the value for money is a key consideration.

Yew Hedging ⋅ Garden designer ⋅ design exeter

Yew hedging is the king of hedging. It can be slow-growing. Avoid cutting them back hard. As this can create holes in your prized hedging. It can be easily scorched if planted during those long hot summer months. Once scorched there no real going back for the plants. Becare when pruning. Less is definitely more. Once you create a hole in your beautiful hedge is can be there forever!

Laurels Hedging ⋅ Garden designer ⋅ design exeter

Laurel hedging is more forgiving. Quick to gain height and evergreen. Can over time take over your garden design space. Requiring heavy pruning with a saw. The more you prune it the more it seems to grow back. It is resistant to honey fungus which seems to attach privet and the like.

Photinia Hedging ⋅ Garden Design Exeter

Photinia is an all-rounder. Fast-growing. Easy to care for and relatively easy to prune. Varieties are also available on flat trellis panels. Creating instant cover on any fence or outbuilding. Its red leaves create a well-come winter interest. Fairly drought resistant. But does respond well to watering and feed during the summer.

Slatted fences⋅ Garden designer ⋅ design exeter

Why not update a tired fence or wall with a slatted fence in your garden design. Available in hardwood, softwood, or planed finishes. Slatted fences look great in traditional, contemporary, and tropical garden designs, Exeter. Bamboo screens are a cheaper and quicker alternative. Great for tropical or zen garden designer ⋅ design exeter. Create a frame out of 2 x 4″ to attach your slatted fence, trellis or screen too. Hire a nail gun to make the project a lot easier!

WHITE FLOWER ⋅ GARDEN DESIGN

Exeter Landscapes White Combinations ⋅ foxglove ⋅ hydrangea ⋅ tulip ⋅ garden design ⋅ designer exmouth

An old favourite

Recreate the timeless classic. Restrict your colour palette. Select plants flowering in shades of white or cream. Create a white twilight glow.

Classic whites

Tulips ⋅ foxgloves ⋅ astilbe deutschland ⋅ white hydrangea ⋅ gaura ⋅ clematis ⋅ climbing rose ⋅ rises ⋅ pittosporum ‘tombia’.

PLANTS ⋅ IDEAS ⋅ INSPIRATIONS

Planting guide ⋅ choosing plants ⋅ how to plant ⋅ aftercare

Plant groups ⋅ shrubs ⋅ hedges climbers ferns ⋅ evergreen ⋅ low maintenance ⋅ wildlife plants

Planting combinations ⋅ traditional ⋅ contemporary ⋅ zen

A SLICE OF LEMON

Achillea will add a touch of lemon to your planting scheme. Giving your beds interest & contrast. Subtle shades of lemon will cut through your garden design, highlighting each individual white drift.

Exeter Landscapes ⋅ euphorbia ⋅ phormium ⋅ beech columns ⋅ garden design ⋅ designer exmouth

PLANTS ⋅ IDEAS ⋅ INSPIRATION

Planting guide ⋅ choosing plants ⋅ how to plant ⋅ aftercare

Plant groups ⋅ shrubs ⋅ hedges climbers ferns ⋅ evergreen ⋅ low maintenance ⋅ wildlife plants

Planting combinations ⋅ traditional ⋅ contemporary ⋅ zen

GREEN & SILVER FOLIAGE

Add foliage to your beds for support and structure. plants include: phormium, beech columns, viburnum, miscanthus and euphorbia.

Exeter Landscapes ⋅ tulips ⋅ ornamental black grass ⋅ garden designer ⋅ design exeter ⋅ designer exmouth

PLANTS ⋅ IDEAS ⋅ INSPIRATIONS

Planting guide ⋅ choosing plants ⋅ how to plant ⋅ aftercare

Plant groups ⋅ shrubs ⋅ hedges climbers ferns ⋅ evergreen ⋅ low maintenance ⋅ wildlife plants

Planting combinations ⋅ traditional ⋅ contemporary ⋅ zen

CONTRAST WHITES ⋅ DARK COLOURS

Add a contemporary twist by adding darker tones. Contrast groups of white tulips contrast with ‘Queen of Night’ black variety. Surround white tulips with an ornamental black grass (ophiopogon Niger Lilyturf).

Dark colours ⋅ pittosporium ‘tomb tumb’ ⋅ phormiums ⋅ smoke bush ⋅ black bamboo.

Exeter Landscapes Relaxing Plants ⋅ hellebore ⋅ silver birch ⋅ snowdrop ⋅ garden design ⋅ designer exmouth

Cool white wood land

Combine silver birch trees with pale hellebores, snow drops, ferns and hostas to create your own classic woodland.

PLANTS ⋅ IDEAS ⋅ INSPIRATIONS

Planting guide ⋅ choosing plants ⋅ how to plant ⋅ aftercare

Plant groups ⋅ shrubs ⋅ hedges climbers ferns ⋅ evergreen ⋅ low maintenance ⋅ wildlife plants

Planting combinations ⋅ traditional ⋅ contemporary ⋅ zen

TURN UP THE HEAT ⋅ HOT COLOURS

Hot Plants – Kniphothia ⋅ crocosmia ⋅ rudbeckia ⋅ garden designer ⋅ design exeter ⋅ garden designer exmouth

Add hot colours for extra zip. Combine red, yellow and purple hues. Plants ⋅ cotinus ‘royal purple, achillea, rudbeckia, kniphothia ‘red hot poker’, crocosmia, allium and echinops. Add a dark back drop of berberis or a smoke bush for added contrast.

Exeter Landscapes New Zealand Inspired ⋅ bottle brush ⋅ allium ⋅ smoke bush ⋅ garden designer ⋅ design exeter ⋅ designer exmouth

PLANTS ⋅ IDEAS ⋅ INSPIRATIONS

Planting guide ⋅ choosing plants ⋅ how to plant ⋅ aftercare

Plant groups ⋅ shrubs ⋅ hedges climbers ferns ⋅ evergreen ⋅ low maintenance ⋅ wildlife plants

Planting combinations ⋅ traditional ⋅ contemporary ⋅ zen

These plants are generally low maintenance. And will be happy in most growing conditions. However, most plants will need some care! Remember most plants don’t like to be waterlogged. This will rot them overtime. There are exceptions: Iris, some bamboo and hostas!

Favourite Plants Jsapenese Zen ⋅ Garden designer ⋅ design exeter ⋅ Carex ⋅ Japanese blood grass ⋅ pennisetum

GRASSES ⋅ COST ⋅ CARE

Most grasses are relatively inexpensive and don’t require a great deal of care. There are deciduous and evergreen varieties. Deciduous grasses turn ‘golden’ over winter. And create great architectural features in any winter garden design. Contrast with red-berried skimmia, for winter interest.

Deciduous grasses need a ‘hair’ cut in the early springe4p. To remove the winter thatch before the spring growth appears. Evergreen grasses will need a quick tidy in early spring. To remove any dead grass strands. If you plant miscanthus grass. Great for larger gardens. Prune back in late April with secateurs. Be careful not to remove any new shoots. Grasses can be easily divided to create new plants. But be careful not to lose the grasses overall appealing shape.

HOW TO PLANT GRASSES IN YOUR GARDEN DESIGN ⋅ EXETER

LARGER GARDEN DESIGN ⋅ EXETER

Large gardens can be planted easily and cheaply with great swaths of grasses. Miscanthus and stipa being favourites. Creating movement and texture in your borders. It’s important to add contrasting shapes and colour. Beds of standalone grasses can easily date! Add some shapes and height. Silver birch trees work well in a contemporary setting. Box and bay for a more traditional feel.

ADD SOME COLOUR ⋅ GRASSES GARDEN DESIGN

White agapanthus ⋅ allium ⋅ blue agapanthus ⋅ garden design

For a prairie garden design. Add rudbeckia, helenium and echinacea. When planting smaller grasses. Crocosmia, alliums and agapanthus work well.

SMALLER COURT-YARD GARDENS ⋅ DESIGN EXETER

Pots & planters ⋅ garden design

Grasses look great planted in groups in large pots. They also look great in raised beds. Combine with phormiums and verbena for a modern classic. Zinc pots work well in a contemporary or zen garden design. Terracotta pots are great for that classic feel. Remember ceramic pots need to be frost proof. And it’s a good idea to elevate them from that cold winter patio. Four pieces of broken slab will work well.

You can improvise. Old zinc water tanks look great & are sturdy enough for bamboo. Keep an eye out on gumtree & eBay. Make your own trough from reclaimed pallets or 6inch gravel boards from your local builder’s merchant.

HANGING BASKETS ⋅ SINGLE COLOURS ⋅ NON- VARIEGATED BLOOMS

I’m not a huge fan of hanging baskets. However, they can look effective, when planted on mass with a single colour and a single variety. opt for bold non-variegated foliage.

Red, whites or yellow flowers can work well. Bedding plants plugs can easily be purchased on-line, early in the season. Don’t be tempted to plant out, before the frost has finally receded. If you are prepared for a little leg work. These plugs are great value! J Parkers always have great quality plants.

Begonia ⋅ Geranium ⋅ cosmos ⋅ garden designer ⋅ design exeter

Begonia Non-Stop Yellow (Maxi Plugs) ⋅ https://www.jparkers.co.uk/begonia-nonstop-yellow-maxi-plugs-0013385c

Geranium Century F1 Red (Maxi Plugs) ⋅ www.jparkers.co.uk/33-geranium-f1-red-0006760c

Cosmos Xanthos Lemon Sherbet (Maxi Plugs) ⋅ https://www.jparkers.co.uk/cosmos-xanthus-lemon-sherbet-collection-1

ADD COLOUR ⋅ ALLIUMS ⋅ AGAPANTHUS ⋅ CROCOSMIA

Alliums look great with box and phormiums. Plants as bulbs in autumn. Choose from purple or white. Select globe masters for maximum impact. Or powder puff for larger areas. Agapanthus looks great in a tropical garden designer ⋅ design exeter. Blue or white flowers are available. Combine with carex grass, phormium and palms for an exotic feel. Crocosmias always look better planted on mass. Select crocosmia lucifer for a rich red display. Contain them in raised beds or planters as they will spread over time. Combine with hebes and pennisetum grass for contemporary garden designer ⋅ design exeter.

BAMBOO ⋅ GARDEN DESIGNER ⋅ DESIGN EXETER

Bamboo screening ⋅ garden designer ⋅ design exeter

Bamboo may not be everyone’s cup of tea. It’s great for screening. And cutting down the noise from neighbours. It can be planted in pots and planters. If they are large and sturdy enough. They can take over beds if left unchecked. Bamboo can be planted in beds in pots or retained using a bamboo membrane.

They are thirsty in those long hot summer months. So, water well to prevent scorching. And excessive leaves falling. It’s worth giving some support in windy locations. Add an elasticated bungee cord halfway up the height of the bamboo. Tie to a fence or stakes. Looks great on its own as a screen. Add rocks and boulder for interest.

BOX HEDGING ⋅ TOPIARY ⋅ GARDEN DESIGNER ⋅ DESIGN EXETER

Box hedging ⋅ garden designer ⋅ design exeter

A firm favourite for any traditional garden design. Frames a bed perfectly. Remember is slow-growing so if you want lush thick topiary. Buy mature plants and use at least 6 per metre. Works well with hebes and clipped lavender. Box hedging always looks great with oak sleepers. Add hebes and gauara for interest. For a more modern garden designer ⋅ design exeter. opt for shapes. If you have the budget. Group several box balls together. Or cubes look great surrounded by grasses. Favourite Design Features ⋅ garden design features

Great for adding some interest to any garden design project. Why not add a practical focal point to your garden design project. Heres are some of our top ideas for garden design accessories, Exeter.

Many accessories are practical: BBQs, fire pits and chimineas. Other accessories can be aesthetic: sculptures and lighting for example. Most accessories are a matter of personal taste. Try to complement your garden design and fit in with your garden’s layout. Maximising your gardens usable space.

Turn up the heat! ⋅ chimineas ⋅ outdoor fireplaces ⋅ fire pits

Outdoor fireplace ⋅ garden designer ⋅ design exeter ⋅ exmouth

Why not extend the party into the night. Add some heat to your garden design. A simple fire dish will easily add some heat to those cool evenings. opt for a corten steel dish for maximum style.

Chimineas offer good value. They are available in fired ceramic or iron. Chimineas are great as the chimney can direct the smoke away from friends and family. Smoke eye can be a problem on a windy night when using a fire pit. Chimineas are designed mainly for wood. As coal can in some cases causes them to crack.

Add a fire pit to your garden design project

Firepit ⋅ box hedging ⋅ garden design ⋅ exmouth ⋅ exeter

Why not go the whole hog and opt for a fireplace and chimney. Fireplaces will add some theatre to any late-night party. And are great focal points during daylight? Chimneys can be constructed easily from block word. And easily clad with render or stone cladding.

Create a covered wood store ⋅ add a putting green

Create a wood store ⋅ add a putting green c garden design ⋅ exeter ⋅ exmouth

Create a covered wood store for your garden design and landscaping, Exeter. Roofing options include timber shingles, slate, or tiles. The stacked timber looks great. A useful addition to your fire pit or log burner. Why not add an artificial putting green to your design. Great entertainment for family and friends.

Create a seating area ⋅ size and materials

create a tropical paradise ⋅ garden seating ⋅ garden design ⋅ exeter ⋅ exmouth

Create a seating area for your garden design and landscaping, Exeter. Think about a comfortable sized area, for entertaining. 3 x3m is probably the smallest area you could comfortably get away with, for table and chairs.

Decking ⋅ garden seating area ⋅ designer ⋅ exeter ⋅ exmouth

Materials include paving and decking. Sandstone natural paving is great value. And works well with both contemporary and traditional garden designs. Kandla grey works well for a contemporary garden design.

Decking can work well in your garden design. Especially for elevated positions, at the end of a garden. Decking looks great in a tropical or prairie garden design. Prairie garden design plants include grasses: stipa, miscanthus and carex. Add some colour: Rudbeckia, helium and echinacea.

Choose your type of seating ⋅ metal ⋅ timber ⋅ rattan

Hardwood seating ⋅ box ball hedging ⋅ garden design ⋅ exeter ⋅ exmouth

Seating options include rattan, metal, or timber seating. Rattan is long-lasting and won’t rot or decay over time. It’s extremely comfortable and practical. Modular designs can be easily stacked and covered for the winter. Rattan styles include traditional and modern, available in a wide range of colours and prices.

Painting metal furniture ⋅ hammarite ⋅ Alythane ⋅ Rust-Oleum Combi Color

I like metal seating. It’s classic and looks great in any type of garden design. It’s not as comfortable as rattan. If you don’t have any, invest in some good cushions! Metal seating can be cast iron or aluminium. Over time, metal seating does weather and does require some maintenance.

It can be painted easily. First, remove any flaky paint with a wire brush, scraper, or sandpaper. Most people paint exterior metal with hammarite – using a brush or spray. The colour can be limited, matt is the best finish.

Garden furniture ⋅ garden design ⋅ exeter ⋅ exmouth ⋅ devon

Rust-Oleum 7500 Alkythane is a great metal paint. It’s not cheap. But great for most metals and can be mixed to any RAL colour. Try anthracite grey for a start. Black can be problematic. Especially if you are painting the furniture outside. As the black paint will show up the slightest amount of dust and dirt. You can usually get away with one coat. Take care it will easily stain paving and timber!

Priming bare metal ⋅ Rust-Oleum Combi Color

It’s a good idea to prime any bare metal. This will help your paint too sick to the furniture. And prevent any paint flaking off over time. Rust-oleum combi colour is a great product, which can be used on both metal and plastic.

Rendered walls ⋅ garden design ⋅ exmouth ⋅ exeter

Applying paint ⋅ roller ⋅ paintbrush ⋅ water-based paints ⋅ oil-based paints

Make sure all surfaces are clean and grease-free. Whether to use a roller or a brush, is a matter of personal choice. For large flat areas. A roller will always be quicker. And will produce a flatter, brush-less finish. Brushes are better for uneven surfaces.

Paint usually comes in two flavours. Water-based and oil-based paints. Oil-based paints in the past. Were always considered more hardwearing. And associated with a high gloss finish. With advances in paint technology. The differences between the two type, are less distinct. Water-based paint can be hardwearing. Oil-based paint is messier. And does require more skill to get a good finish. Water-based paint is easier to apply. And more convenient to use. Its less messy, spills and brushes are easier to clean up! I’m a convert to water-base paint!

Add the wow factor ⋅ add a sunken hot tub

Tropical plants ⋅ garden design ⋅ exmouth

Create an outdoor kitchen ⋅ add a Pizza oven

Create a pizza oven ⋅ garden design ⋅ exeter ⋅ exmouth

Why not add a pizza oven to your garden design. A modern alternative to the traditional BBQ. Modern pizza ovens can create restaurant-quality food, in your own garden. Great for meat-eaters and vegetarians.

Options include wood-burning pizza ovens. Gas-fired pizza ovens. And hybrids: fuel by both gas and wood. Many say gas ovens are just as realistic tasting, as wood. Gas is more convenient. Quicker to light, and easier to control the temperature.

Great for cooking pizza, bread, and meats. For example, legs of lamb. Why not add your own wood store, they look great. Keep your timber dry! Create a counter and a storage area around your pizza oven. An area to prepare & serve your food. And storage for utensils.

Outdoor kitchens are the latest trend hitting garden designs this year. Forget the small BBQ. Go for the outdoor kitchen. Great for entertaining and partying. Add lighting to extend the party into the night.

Modular Kitchens ∙ Garden Design ∙ Exeter

Kitchen units are available in discreet modular units. Stainless steel finishes are a firm favourite. Easy to clean, with a contemporary look and feel. Countertops can be granite or brushed steel.

Ovens ∙ Grills ∙ Garden Design ∙ Exeter

Gas or electric options are available. Grills are great for meat and fish dishes.

Sinks ∙ Preparation Area ∙ Garden Design ∙ Exeter

Sinks can be added to your outdoor kitchen. Incorporating a food preparation area. And storage areas. You will need an insulated water supply and a wastewater connection.

RECIPES ∙ RECIPES ∙ RECIPES∙ RECIPES ∙ GARDEN DESIGNER ⋅ DESIGN EXETER

TERIYAKI SALMON ∙ INGREDIENTS
2cm piece of fresh root ginger, finely sliced – finely chop…
2 garlic cloves, peeled and finely sliced add some flavour
3 tbsp soy sauce
2 tbsp maple syrup
1 tbsp mirin (rice wine)
Olive oil
4 salmon fillets (about 500g in total)
Sea salt and freshly ground pepper

Marinate salmon in the refrigerator for 2 hours. Pan fry fillets. Add a splash of water if the sauce is too thick. Serve with rice or noodles.

JERK CHICKEN ∙ INGREDIENTS

12 chicken thighs, bone-in
1 lime, halved

hot sauce, to serve (optional)

FOR THE MARINADE

1 big bunch of spring onions, roughly chopped
a thumb-sized piece of ginger, roughly chopped
3 garlic cloves
½ a small onion
3 scotch bonnet chillies, deseeded if you want less heat
½ tsp dried thyme, or 1 tbsp thyme leaves
1 lime, juiced
3 tbsp soy sauce
3tbsp vegetable oil
3 tbsp brown sugar
2 tbsp ground allspice

FOR THE RICE & PEAS

200g basmati rice
400g can coconut milk
1 large bunch of spring onions, sliced
2 large thyme sprigs
2 garlic cloves, finely chopped
1 tsp ground allspice
2 x 410g cans kidney beans, drained

Blend the marinade in a blender. And marinate the chicken for the last hours. BBQ the chicken on indirect heat for around 30 mins. Boiled up the rice and peas. And serve with a squeeze of lemon.

Installing a garden room is a great way of introducing extra space into your home. Great for a dedicated place for work or relaxation.

GARDEN ROOM USES ∙ GARDEN DESIGNER ⋅ DESIGN EXETER

Yoga Room ∙ Kids playroom∙ Man Cave ∙ Games Room ∙ Office Space ∙ Music Studio ∙ Bar ∙ Cinema Room ∙ GYM ∙ Guest Bed Room ∙ Utility Room

GARDEN ROOMS ∙ INSULATION ∙ ELECTRICS ∙ HEATING

Most garden rooms are insulated. Floors, walls and ceilings. Allowing all year use.

Electrics enable lighting and power for sockets. And heating to be added. Options include simple convection heaters. Or electric oil filled radiators. It’s also possible to install a wood burner. You will need to install a stainless-steel flue through the roof.

Irrigation ⋅ Landscape Gardeners Exeter ∙ Landscaping

Keeping your Bed Watered

I dry bed can be a killer for most plants. Lack of rain. Hot Temperatures. Direct sunlight. And poor-quality soil. Can this all lead, to your bed drying out? Over those long hot summer months.

Poor Soil ⋅ Landscape Gardeners Exeter ∙ Landscaping

Clay can be a problem. Your soil becomes waterlogged during those wet winter months. A Soggy mess. Plant roots become waterlogged. Causing the plants to rot.

Clay becomes dry as a bone. In those hot summer months. Cause plants to dry out. Clay limits root growth. And it’s generally low in nutrients. Most plants don’t do well in a clay environment. Options include removing it. Improve it. Avoid it.

Removing Clay ∙ can be an expensive option. It involves digging out the clay. Preferably with a mini digger. Getting rid of it. Skipping or grab hire. And replacing it with some better-quality soil. Topsoil is preferable. Especially screeded.

Improving Clay Soil ∙ is not for the faint-hearted. It involves adding some organic matter to your clay soil. To try to break it up. Composting from your bin will help. Make sure it’s well-rotted. And avoid adding any slimy part composted grass cuttings. Well-rotted manure is great. Rich in fibre and full of nutrients. Compost can also add. Clay breaker granules can add to individual planting holes.

Avoid the Clay ⋅ Landscape Gardeners Exeter ∙ Landscaping

Sometimes clay is found in pockets. Don’t plant there. If you want to. Consider adding a raised bed. This cuts out the effort of removing the offending clay. Create a timber structure out of sleepers. Softwood or new oak. And then fill topsoil. You can add some drainage materials before your soil. Rubble and bricks work well. Any excess water will drain out of the bottom of the sleepers. You don’t really need to add any drainage holes!

Bark ⋅ Landscape Gardeners Exeter ∙ Landscaping

The bark is great on two counts. It suppresses your weeds. And traps in moisture. Reducing evaporation from your beds. Preventing your bed from drying out. It does also rot down over time. Adding nutrients to your soil.

Feeding Your Beds ∙ Pots ∙Planters ∙ Plants

Finally. It’s a good idea to periodically feed your beds and pots. Liquid fertiliser is convenient for pots and individual plants. When planting a good hand full of blood, fish and bone. Will give each plant a good start. Great also for establishing new hedges. Chicken pellets are a cost-effective way of adding fertiliser to established plants. Add the pellets around the plant. Make sure the pellets aren’t swamping the base of the plant. They can scorch, the more delicate plants. As they are rich in ammonia.

Adding an Irrigation System ⋅ Landscape Gardeners Exeter ∙ Landscaping

Irrigation systems have become cost-effective. Over recent years. Well within the scope of DIY installations. They can be run off an outside tap. Battery operated timers can be used to control your zones. The dripper efficiently delivers water to each plant. They slowly saturate the soil. Reducing runoff. Prevent water loss from the bottom of plants.

Low Maintenance Gardens ∙ Garden designer ⋅ design exeter ∙ Designer ∙ Exmouth

Why not create a low maintenance garden. Allowing you more time to relax!

Raised Beds ∙ are a great way of adding planting to your garden space. Forget the kneeling and bending over! Great for gardens with poor soil, or clay conditions. Adding topsoil on top of some drainage material will create the perfect growing conditions. Forget digging that clay soil. Raised beds are free draining. And a great way of creating vertical greenery. They work well in town gardens. Where space is at a premium. Or can be used to create herb beds or vegetable beds in larger gardens.

Softwood sleepers are great value for money. Shapes include traditional L shapes or rectangles. Or contemporary hexagons. Which can be stacked together. Creating a honeycomb structure. New Old sleepers can also be used. And are extremely long-lasting.

Bark ∙ Garden designer ⋅ design exeter ∙ Designer ∙ Exmouth

The bark is great for mulching your beds. Barks are great for controlling weeds. It smothers them. Preventing them from taking hold in your garden design. It’s also great for trapping moisture. It also prevents water loss from evaporation. Keep your plants happy. And reducing your time spent watering. Better for you. Your water bill and the environment.

Artificial Grass ∙ Garden designer ⋅ design exeter ∙ Designer ∙ Exmouth

Artificial grass has been around for a long time. It recently got more realistic in appearance and texture. Great for smaller gardens or areas on slopes which are hard to mow.

Artificial grass looks great all year round. It’s not a soggy mess in winter. Or a dried out in those long hot summer months. Forget the constant mowing. The feed and weeding. It’s also child and pet friendly. The grass is installed with crushed concrete and grano dust. For a firm smooth base. Next is the weed membrane. And finally the realistic artificial grass! The grass can either be nailed into place. Or stuck down onto timber or concrete border. With exterior glue.

Irrigation Systems ∙ Garden designer ⋅ design exeter ∙ Designer ∙ Exmouth

Forget the constant watering. Install an irrigation system in your garden design. Irrigations are cost-effective and can easily be installed by any DIY enthusiast. They can be connected to your outdoor tap. And controlled by a battery-operated timer.

Irrigation systems deliver the water efficiently to each plant or planter. Drippers saturate the soil around each plant. Reducing water loss from runoff. Or water flowing out of the bottom of your planters. The leaky hose can be added to beds. To water groups of bedding plants or coiled around larger shrubs. Value can be added to create zones. Which can be manually turned off. It’s easy to add extra drippers or zones to existing systems.

Irrigation systems are a great way to supplement your water butt. Especially in those long hot summer months. And are a great way to ensure your plants are watered during holidays or weekends away.

ARTIFICIAl GRASS ∙ GARDEN DESIGNER ⋅ DESIGN EXETER

Why Artificial Grass ∙ Garden designer ⋅ design exeter

Artificial grass is a low-maintenance product. That is extremely child and pet friendly. And looks great in gardens. Where natural grass struggles to grow.

Is Artificial Grass Realistic ∙ Garden designer ⋅ design exeter

Artificial grass has come a long way in recent years. Forget the shiny plastic grass. Found on your local fruit or veg stores. Artificial grass is extremely realistic in appearance. It even has a built-in brown thatch. Found in natural grass.

Does it require any maintenance ∙ Artificial grass is extremely low maintenance? Forget the constant mowing. Water during those long hot summer months. Or the stress of those hose pipe bands.

Great Lawn 365 Days of the Year ∙ Garden designer ⋅ design exeter

Artificial grass enables you to use your lawn 365 days of the year. Forget those muddy wet winter lawns. Artificial grass drains well and won’t leave muddy footprints in the lounge.

Is Artificial Grass ∙ Child ∙ Pet Friendly ∙ Garden designer ⋅ design exeter

Artificial grass is great for families with children and pets. Is resistant to damage from kids. Including those football matches in the rain. It will enable the kids to use the garden in those wetting winter and spring months. Artificial grass is resistant to pet damage. And can be easily sanitised.

Is It Easy To Install ∙ Garden designer ⋅ design exeter

It’s relatively quick and easy to install. Depending on the garden project! A good layer or crushed concrete. Creates the base of the artificial grass. This creates great drainage. And prevents the grass from sinking over time. A weed membrane prevents any weeds. And a layer of grano dust. Enables the grass to a have a level and smooth finish. And final the artificial grass!

CONSTRUCTING RAISED BEDS ∙GARDEN DESIGNER ⋅ DESIGN EXETER

Raised Beds ∙ Terracing Your Garden Design ∙ Exeter

Raised beds are great for your garden design. Raised Beds are great for terracing a sloppy garden. Ideally, you would want to level your garden. This can be costly. Int requires a digger to move the soil and create a level.

Getting Rid of Soil ∙ Clay ∙ Garden Design ∙ Exeter

Scrap off the topsoil. And you are probably going to hit the clay. One option for your sloping garden is to create a flat terrace for entertainment. A patio or a deck. Retain the soil at the end of the patio using a retaining wall.

Skips ∙ Grab Hire ∙ It’s worth getting rid of the clay. Depending on the amount of clay. Will determine your method. Skips are a good option. Most skip companies put a limit on the skip size for soil. Usually a 6-yard skip. Due to weight considerations.

Grab Hire ∙ For larger amounts of soil. Grab hire is going to be your best option. They are not for the faint heart. You will need somewhere to stack the soil. And it’s a good idea to have a mini digger on hand. To stack up the pile!

Constructing Raise Beds ∙ Sleeper Retaining Walls ∙ Garden Design ∙ Exeter

How are you going to cut your sleeper is your first consideration. Chainsaws, circular saws, handsaws or chop saws. For safety. The chop saw is the bed option. It’s a good idea to have a trestle (also known as a bandstand) or a workmate. To rest your sleeper on.

Most chop saws won’t cut through the sleeper in one pass. One option, especially for softwood. Is to finish the cut with a handsaw. Alternatively, you can turn the sleeper and make another pass with the chop saw. It’s a good idea to mark around the entire sleeper. With a speed square!

Fixing Sleeper Together ∙ Garden Design ∙ Exeter

Timber lock screws are strong. However, they are hard to remove once in! Trouble some if you want to adjust your sleeper beds. Long timber screws work well. And can be carefully removed! Corner brackets are great for setting up your sleeper. Give your project extra strength. And steel window retaining straps. Are great for tying rows of sleepers together.

PROBLEM LAWNS ∙ GARDEN DESIGNER ⋅ DESIGN EXETER ∙ DESIGNER ∙ EXMOUTH

MOSSY LAWNS ∙ REMOVE THE SHADE ∙ REMOVE THE MOSS ∙ OVERSEED THE LAWN ∙ THIN LAWNS ∙ WET WATERLOGGED LAWNS (QUICK FIX) ∙ ADD LAWN SAND ∙ WORM CASTS

MOSSY LAWNS ∙ You have a close look at your lawn. And it’s full of moss. Typically, mossy lawns are found in shady wet lawns.

REMOVE THE SHADE ∙ GARDEN DESIGNER ⋅ DESIGN EXETER ∙ DESIGNER ∙ EXMOUTH

Try to remove the shade. If it is due to trees and vegetation. Tree to reduce your tree canopy. And reduce any hedges and vegetation.

REMOVE THE MOSS ∙ GARDEN DESIGNER ⋅ DESIGN EXETER ∙ DESIGNER ∙ EXMOUTH

For smaller patches. Rake out with a fine rake. For large areas. Use a mossy killer. Once the moss is removed. You are going to find you have a thin lawn. You can also use a commercial machine to scarify your lawn.

OVERSEED THE LAWN ∙ GARDEN DESIGNER ⋅ DESIGN EXETER ∙ DESIGNER ∙ EXMOUTH

Mix some good-quality grass seed with compost. And scatter other the thin patches. Water for the next couple of weeks.

DETTER THE BIRDS ∙ GARDEN DESIGNER ⋅ DESIGN EXETER ∙ DESIGNER ∙ EXMOUTH

Depending on the local weather conditions. You want to have to add some string and foil. To prevent the local birds from feasting on your new grass seed.

THIN LAWNS ∙ If your lawn is full of dead thatch. First, hire a machine and scarify the lawn. Next, overseed with a mix of grass seed and compost. Water the seed well over the next few weeks.

WET WATERLOGGED LAWNS (QUICK FIX) ∙ Spike the lawn with an aerator. Use a manual system for a smaller garden. And hire a large machine for a large lawn.

ADD LAWN SAND ∙ GARDEN DESIGNER ⋅ DESIGN EXETER ∙ DESIGNER ∙ EXMOUTH

Next spread a thin layer of lawn sand onto the surface of the lawn. And then brush in the sand. Using a stiff brush.

WORM CASTS ∙ GARDEN DESIGNER ⋅ DESIGN EXETER ∙ DESIGNER ∙ EXMOUTH

Worm cast can be a problem for pristine lawns. Especially If the cast are trodden into the lawn. Apply lawn sand. As described above. The large sand has FE or iron in the mix. Which irritates the worms. Driving them to lower down in the soil. Solving the problems.

YOUR SOIL ∙ GARDEN DESIGNER ⋅ DESIGN EXETER ∙ DESIGNER ∙ EXMOUTH

You cannot see it but the oil under your grass. Will determine the health of your turf. Newer gardens. Should have a good level of topsoil. Creating a healthy. Free draining lawn.

FINDING CLAY ∙ CLAY SOILS ∙ LOAM SOIL ∙ DEALING WITH CLAY ∙ CLAY WATER LOGGING ∙ CLAY DRY LAWNS ∙ CREATING BETTER DRAINAGE ∙ MOSS ∙ CLOVER ∙ PLANTAINS ∙ ADDING EXTRA TOPSOIL ∙ HIRING A MINI DIGGER ∙ DIG A SERIES OF CHANNELS

FINDING CLAY ∙ Digg a little down in your garden. And you are likely to hit clay.

CLAY SOILS ∙ GARDEN DESIGNER ⋅ DESIGN EXETER ∙ DESIGNER ∙ EXMOUTH

We have all heard of London clay. Most areas of the country suffer from the gardener’s misery of clay. Good topsoil is free draining and fertile.

LOAM SOIL ∙ GARDEN DESIGNER ⋅ DESIGN EXETER ∙ DESIGNER ∙ EXMOUTH

The idea of soil loam. It is great for planting. And great for your lawn. Most lawns will benefit from a good four” of good quality topsoil.

DEALING WITH CLAY ∙ LAWNS ∙ GARDEN DESIGN ∙ EXETER ∙ DESIGNER ∙ EXMOUTH

Heavy clay soil can be problematic for lawns.

CLAY WATER LOGGING ∙ GARDEN DESIGNER ⋅ DESIGN EXETER ∙ DESIGNER ∙ EXMOUTH

Clay soils can cause water logging. It is those wet winter months. Making the lawn unusable.

CLAY DRY LAWNS ∙ And bone dry in those long hot summer months.

CREATING BETTER DRAINAGE ∙ SLOPING GARDENS ∙ GARDEN DESIGNER ⋅ DESIGN EXETER ∙ DESIGNER ∙ EXMOUTH

An uneven garden can create drainage problems. Pooling water in dips. Or water logging on the bottoms of slopes.

MOSS ∙ CLOVER ∙ PLANTAINS ∙ GARDEN DESIGNER ⋅ DESIGN EXETER ∙ DESIGNER ∙ EXMOUTH

A wet lawn can lead to a mossy lawn. Encouraging clover and plantains. At the expense of your grass.

ADDING EXTRA TOPSOIL ∙ GARDEN DESIGNER ⋅ DESIGN EXETER ∙ DESIGNER ∙ EXMOUTH

Sometimes the clay layer is localised to one area of the garden. It is possible to dig up the clay and replace it with topsoil. Especially if you want to create a bed for planting. It’s hard work.

HIRING A MINI DIGGER ∙ And for larger areas it worth considering hiring a mini digger and a skip loader.

ADDING DRAINAGE PIPE AND A SOAK AWAY ∙ GARDEN DESIGNER ⋅ DESIGN EXETER ∙ DESIGNER ∙ EXMOUTH

This is really the last resort. For a waterlogged garden. The drainage pipe is made of ribbed plastic. And has perforations to let the water in and out.

DIG A SERIES OF CHANNELS ∙ GARDEN DESIGNER ⋅ DESIGN EXETER ∙ DESIGNER ∙ EXMOUTH

The idea is to dig a series of channels. These are connected. To draw the water away from the waterlogged area.

INSTALLING YOUR LAWN DRAINAGE PIPES ∙ GARDEN DESIGNER ⋅ DESIGN EXETER ∙ DESIGNER ∙ EXMOUTH

First, you need somewhere to direct the water too. This could be a soak away.

ADD A SOAK AWAY ∙ GARDEN DESIGNER ⋅ DESIGN EXETER ∙ DESIGNER ∙ EXMOUTH

A Soak away is a hole. At least 1 m cubed. Filled with brick and rubble. Ideally in a free-draining area of the garden.

CREATING FALLS ∙ There needs to be a fall between the drainage pipe and the soak away. Fill the channel first with shingle.

ADD SOME SHINGLE ∙ SOIL ∙ TURF ∙ Then add the drainage pipe. And another layer of shingle. Then reinstate the soil in the hole. Once you have added the soil. The excavated areas can be re-turfed.

ADD A RETAINING WALL ∙ GARDEN DESIGNER ⋅ DESIGN EXETER ∙ DESIGNER ∙ EXMOUTH

Retaining walls can be used to retain soil for beds, further down the garden. Or retain it at the edges. Allowing you to add a good layer of topsoil for turfing.

BLOCK RETAINING WALLS ∙ Block & Render Retaining Walls ∙ Garden designer ⋅ design exeter ∙ Designer ∙ Exmouth

SLEEPER RETAINING WALLS ∙ Options include an Oak hardwood sleeper. Or softwood sleepers.

ADDING AN OAK SLEEPER BED ∙ GARDEN DESIGNER ⋅ DESIGN EXETER ∙ DESIGNER ∙ EXMOUTH

Oak sleepers are hardwearing and will last a little longer. But are slightly harder to work with. And more expensive.

ADDING SOFTWOOD SLEEPERS ∙ GARDEN DESIGNER ⋅ DESIGN EXETER ∙ DESIGNER ∙ EXMOUTH

Softwood sleepers are of great value. They are easy to work with. You can even cut them with a saw.

ROUTING THE EDGE ∙ Adding a routed bevel to the top edge. Always finished them off.

POSTS ∙ CONCRETE ∙ RSJ STEELS ∙ GARDEN DESIGNER ⋅ DESIGN EXETER ∙ DESIGNER ∙ EXMOUTH

It is a good idea to add a post set in concrete. To give the sleeper walls a little more strength. To retain your soil.

STEEL AND RSJs ∙ Anything over 4 sleepers. It is going to require some RSJ steel to hold the sleepers.

STRUCTURAL ENGINEERS ∙ GARDEN DESIGNER ⋅ DESIGN EXETER ∙ DESIGNER ∙ EXMOUTH

Anything over 1.5m is going to need the advice of a structural engineer.

VERTICAL SLEEPER BEDS ∙ HORIZONTAL SLEEPER BEDS

Sleepers can be set either vertically or horizontally. Horizontal sleepers always look great in a traditional garden design, Exeter. Vertical sleepers look a little more contemporary. With curves and changes in height. And will fit in with your Contemporary Garden design, Exeter.

HORIZONTAL SLEEPERS ∙ GARDEN DESIGNER ⋅ DESIGN EXETER ∙ DESIGNER ∙ EXMOUTH

It’s quicker and more economic to lay sleepers horizontally. This method suits straight runs of sleepers. And. Create a more solid. Long-lasting sleeper bed.

VERTICAL SLEEPER BEDS ∙ GARDEN DESIGNER ⋅ DESIGN EXETER ∙ DESIGNER ∙ EXMOUTH

This method is great for creating curves and subtle changes in vertical height. The sleepers are cut down to the required length. And set in concrete. They look great. But it does take a little more skill, and labour and there is more wastage.

DO VERTICAL SLEEPERS LAST AS LONG ∙ Because you have exposed more end grain to the elements. This type of sleeper wall. Do not tend to last as long!

BLOCK AND RENDER WALL ∙ CONTEMPORARY GARDEN DESIGNER ⋅ DESIGN EXETER

BLOCK AND RENDER SLEEPER WALLS ∙ These walls work well in contemporary garden designs. Especially with built-in flower beds. There do require a little more work. Then the sleepers’ walls.

ADDING A FOOTING ∙ GARDEN DESIGNER ⋅ DESIGN EXETER ∙ DESIGNER ∙ EXMOUTH

First of you are going to have a footing. To support the wall. This needs to be set on form ground. Slightly below the surface of the wall. To protect the footing. From any frost damage.

FOOTING WIDTH ∙ The footing should be about 1/3 wider than the wall. On each side. The depth of the footing will depend on the actual height of the wall. The higher the wall. The deeper the footing.

STRUCTURAL ENGINEERS ∙ Walls over about 1.5 -1.8m. Should be designed by a structural engineer. Who will consider the soil conditions?

ADDING THE BLOCK WALLS ∙ Next is the block work.

FLAT BLOCKS ∙ Blocks can be laid flat. Gives you a width like a double-skinned block wall. This is a quick method. But you will use more blocks. And mortar.

DOUBLE SKINNED WALLS ∙ GARDEN DESIGNER ⋅ DESIGN EXETER ∙ DESIGNER ∙ EXMOUTH

Most retaining walls. Are laid as double-skinned walls. With a cavity between the blocks. For the belt and braces approach. Mortar can be added between. The double-skinned blocks.

HOLLOW BLOCKS ∙ GARDEN DESIGNER ⋅ DESIGN EXETER ∙ DESIGNER ∙ EXMOUTH

These blocks work out a little more expensive for a wall. They are heavier to handle. But potentially a little quicker to lay.

HOLLOW BLOCKS & STEELS ∙ GARDEN DESIGNER ⋅ DESIGN EXETER ∙ DESIGNER ∙ EXMOUTH

They are great for retaining walls. That needs a little extra strength. Steel rebar can be added between the blocks. And the hollow voids can be filled with concrete. Giving you a steel-reinforced retaining wall.

RENDERING YOUR BLOCK WALL ∙ And finally, the render.

STAINLESS STEEL BEADING ∙ You will need to add some beading for all the edges and corners of your block wall. Stainless steel beading is ideal. As it does not rust!

TWO COATS OF RENDER ∙ the render is usually applied in two coats. The first is a scratch coat. Designed to give you a rough level. And scratched surface. Ideal for the second coat to adhere to.

FINAL TOPCOAT ∙ The second coat gives you your finished level & Texture. It’s sponged smooth!

PAINING YOUR REDENDER ∙ You will need good quality masonry paint. And large masonry brush.

WATER BASE PAINTS ∙ Most masonry paint is water-based. It is easy to apply. It is easier to mop up spillages. And its easier to clean your brushes. Especially the acrylic ones!

WEATHER CONSIDERATIONS ∙ Dry warm weather is essential. Avoid cool damp days. The paint will not cure. And can ‘bleed’ everywhere.

SEALING THE RENDER BEFORE PAINTING ∙ GARDEN DESIGNER ⋅ DESIGN EXETER ∙ DESIGNER ∙ EXMOUTH

It is a good idea to ‘seal’ the rendered. This prevents the render from absorbing all your paint. And will give the paint a good surface. To bind to. Mix a watery solution of PVA and water. And liberally apply to the surface of the render.

K-RENDER NO PAINTING ∙ GARDEN DESIGNER ⋅ DESIGN EXETER ∙ DESIGNER ∙ EXMOUTH

Usually, the wall needs painting. However, you can use K-render. Which is impregnated with a coloured pigment. And so, you never need to paint your rendered walls.

STACKING YOUR TOPSOIL ∙ GARDEN DESIGNER ⋅ DESIGN EXETER

First off, the bat. You are going to hire a mini digger. Start by removing the turf. And scrap off any good topsoil and stack out the way! Be realistic about the amount of topsoil you are going to remove from your garden. It’s costly to remove and get rid of. Remember you need a minimum of about four inches of good-quality topsoil. For a successful lawn.

GETTING RID OF YOUR CLAY SOIL ∙ GARDEN DESIGNER ⋅ DESIGN EXETER

Creating Bank ∙ one way is to create a bank in your garden. This is ok for large gardens. But defeats the object of the project. In a smaller garden.

SKIP HIRE ∙ GARDEN DESIGNER ⋅ DESIGN EXETER ∙ DESIGNER ∙ EXMOUTH

for smaller projects. It is possible to hire a skip to get rid of your clay soil. It’s a two-man job to tip the barrow full of clay into the skip.

SKIPPER LOADERS ∙ GARDEN DESIGNER ⋅ DESIGN EXETER ∙ DESIGNER ∙ EXMOUTH

If you are on your own. It is a good idea to hire a skip loader! Most skip companies have 6 Yard skip maximum size. For soil. If you do not have a driveway. The skip will need to be left on the road. And you are going to need a skip licence. Which is an additional cost for the project.

GRAB HIRE ∙ MUCK AWAY ∙ GARDEN DESIGNER ⋅ DESIGN EXETER

For Large Loads. Grab hire is the most cost-effective method of getting rid of your clay. You are going to need somewhere to put the load of clay. Before the grab lorry arrives. This method is not for the fainted-hearted.

GRADING AND MOVING SOIL ∙ GARDEN DESIGNER ⋅ DESIGN EXETER

Using the digger. Fitted with a grading bucket. It is possible to move some of the soil from the top of the slope. And drag it to the bottom of the slope. Creating a better level for your lawn

ADDING BACK THE TOPSOIL ∙ GARDEN DESIGNER ⋅ DESIGN EXETER

Finally, it is time to add back the topsoil you saved. At the beginning of the process. Load up a barrow. Using the mini digger. And dot and dab the topsoil around the garden. Using a rake. Achieve a good level. For turfing.

FEEDING YOUR LAWN ∙ GOOD QUALITY SPORTS FEED ∙ ROTARY MOWERS

FEEDING YOUR LAWN ∙ most established lawns with benefit from a regular feed. A healthy lawn. Is a strong lawn. They are thicker. And less prone to invasion from weeds. Spring, summer, and winter feed.

GOOD QUALITY SPORTS FEED ∙ GARDEN DESIGNER ⋅ DESIGN EXETER ∙ DESIGNER ∙ EXMOUTH

Using a good quality sports feed with give you a healthy lawn. Try to apply on a wet day. Applying the feed with either a push or hand help spreader. Avoid walking on the lawn. Until the sports feed has been watered in. As the feed under foot. Can scorch your grass!

FLY MOWERS ∙ Mowing a lawn it straight forward. Fly mows are quick. And inexpensive. Some do not collect the clippings. Which can lead to a build-up of thatch. With if not periodically racked out. Will cause your lawn to become thin.

ROTARY MOWERS ∙ GARDEN DESIGNER ⋅ DESIGN EXETER ∙ DESIGNER ∙ EXMOUTH

These are the halfway house. They are quick to mower large areas. Depending on how quickly you push the mower. They do suck up the clips. And the cutting height fly adjustable.

ROTARY MOWERS WITH ROLLERS ∙ GARDEN DESIGNER ⋅ DESIGN EXETER ∙ DESIGNER ∙ EXMOUTH

These are usually belt drive. So, you do not have to push. The roller will give you the classic stripe. They are more expensive than standard rotary mowers. And the chain drives can easily get damaged. And they are slower than a push mower.

START HIGH ∙ GARDEN DESIGNER ⋅ DESIGN EXETER ∙ DESIGNER ∙ EXMOUTH

always start the season with a high cut. And over subsequent mows. Drop the mower down. This will be easier on the mower. And easier on the lawn!

DON’T SCALP THE LAWN ∙ GARDEN DESIGNER ⋅ DESIGN EXETER ∙ DESIGNER ∙ EXMOUTH

always check the height of the mower! Before you start. Always test a small area of the lawn. Cutting the lawn too short. Will scalp the lawn. Leading to bare patches.

MOWER MAINTENANCE ∙ Blades need to be kept Sharpe and balance.

OIL LEVELS ∙ At the beginning of the season. Give the moving parts. A quick oil with a 3 in 1 oil. Check the engine oil level. And top up. Always fit back the oil plug tightly. To prevent leaks. But be careful not to over tighten.

SPARK PLUGS ∙ GARDEN DESIGNER ⋅ DESIGN EXETER ∙ DESIGNER ∙ EXMOUTH

Over time the spart plug can get coated with carbon. Burnt fuel. Remove the spark plug with a spark plug socket. Clean with sandpaper or wet and dry. Check the gap. Which for most mowers is around 0.030 “. Using some feeler gauges. And refit.

CREATING A THEME ∙ GARDEN DESIGN ∙ EXETER

The first stage. It’s to decide on a garden design theme for your garden. This will help you tie all your garden design elements together.

COMMON GARDEN DESIGN THEMES ∙ DESIGN ELEMENTS ∙ MATERIALS EXETER

TRADITIONAL GARDEN DESIGN THEMES ∙EXETER

TRADITIONAL GARDEN DESIGN THEMES ∙ Work well with a period property. Georgian and Victorian Properties. A Traditional Garden design is easy on the eye. Quality materials will age well. And a great planting scheme. Will mature over time.

TRADITIONAL DESIGN FEATURES ∙ EXETER

PATHS ∙ PATHING ∙ paths and pathing always work well. In a traditional garden design. Sandstone Natural stone paving looks great. As does slate and limestone natural stone paving.

YOUR GARDEN DESIGN ELEMENTS ∙ Selecting a theme. Will help you design your garden design Elements. Paths, seating areas and focal points

SELECT YOUR HARD LANDSCAPING MATERIALS ∙ Choosing the right theme. Will help you to select the right hard landscaping materials.

CREATING A CONSISTENT PLANTING SCHEME ∙ Using your theme. Finally, create a planting scheme for your garden. Selecting the right plants. For the right growing conditions. Complimenting your garden design theme.

PLANTING ∙ GARDEN DESIGN ∙ EXETER ∙ DESIGNER ∙ EXMOUTH

PREPARING YOUR SOIL ∙ GARDEN DESIGNER ∙ DESIGN ∙ EXETER ∙ EXMOUTH

GETTING STARTED ∙ It’s a good idea to get organised before you start planting. Beds can be tidied. Remove any weeds. Give your bed a good ‘forking’. Over time beds dry and infertile. Give your plants a good start. By adding some ‘food’ for your plants.

DRY BEDS ∙ CLAY BEDS ∙ INFERTILE BEDS ∙ Most beds will benefit from the addition of organic matter. It will improve the drainage of the soil. Add nutrients to help with your plant’s health.

ADDING MANURE ∙ If you can get it. Manure is worth its weight in gold. If full of organic matter. Which will help with your soil structure. Makes sure it well rotten! It’s available as a loose load. Or can be bought in large bags from your local garden centre. It’s also full of nutrients. Including nitrates. Which will help with your plant growth. The manures need to be mixed in well. With your existing soil.

ADDING COMPOST ∙ You may have a compost bin. It’s a bit of an art to getting great compost. It needs to be kept moist. And needs to be regularly turned. Avoid adding conifer waste. And large branches. Make sure the compost is well rotted. Before incorporating it into your soil. Lawn clipping can take a will to full compost. Try adding some fibrous garden waste.

BUYING COMPOST ∙ for smaller areas and raised beds. Bags of compost can be added. It’s also possible to buy tons of bags of compost. Which will work out more economical for larger areas.

FEEDING YOUR SOIL ∙ GARDEN DESIGNER ∙ DESIGN ∙ EXETER ∙ EXMOUTH

BLOOD ∙ FISH ∙ BONE ∙ adding material rich in nitrates. Will really give your plants a good start. Blood, fish and bone can be blended into your raised bed. Or add to individual planting holes.

CHICKEN PELLETS ∙ Chicken pellets are extremely rich in a source of nitrates. And can be sprinkled around the base of your planting. Slowly releasing their nutrients. During rainfall or watering. Try to avoid it. Swamp your plants with the pellets. And avoid contact with delicate foliage. And the ammonia in the pellets. Can cause scorching.

ADDING PLANTS ∙ GARDEN DESIGNER ∙ DESIGN ∙ EXETER ∙ EXMOUTH

SOFTEN THE HARD LANDSCAPING ∙ Plant always looks great in any garden design. It adds interest. And is a great way to soften hard landscaping materials.

ADDING STRUCTURE ∙ it’s a good idea to add some shapes and structure to your planting scheme. Adding height and interest to your planting bed. Why not add plants with interesting foliage. And textures to your garden design.

PLANTS WITH TEXTURES & SHAPE ∙ phormiums, hebes, miscanthus grass, Stipa grasses, Pennisetum grasses, choisya and pittosporum.

ADDING FILLERS ∙ SHAPE AND STRUCTURE ∙ Cheaper plants can be added to your planting scheme. These plants can be thought as fillers. But they will an interesting backdrop to your garden design. Make your colours pop, in your garden design.

FILLERS ∙ VALUE ∙ PLANTS ∙ grasses, lavender, eulogiums, Elaeagnus and spirea.

ADDING COLOUR ∙ GARDEN DESIGNER ∙ DESIGN ∙ EXETER ∙ EXMOUTH

THINK ABOUT COLOURS ∙ Now it’s time to think about the colours. Reds, yellows, blues, purples, pinks. And don’t forget the white garden design.

CHOOSING YOUR COLOUR PALETTE ∙ GARDEN DESIGNER ∙ DESIGN ∙ EXETER ∙ EXMOUTH

KEY COLOURS ∙ Restrict yourself to two or three key colours. You will gain the most impact.

CREATE DRIFTS OF COLOURS ∙ By planting drifts of colours. Rather than planting individual plants. Always add colour and plants your like!

ADDING SPECIMEN PLANTS ∙ GARDEN DESIGNER ∙ DESIGN ∙ EXETER ∙ EXMOUTH

You have added some shape and structure. Adding some colour. Next are the specimen plants. These are interesting plants. Which can be used to create a focal point. In your planting scheme.

And are usually your most expensive plants.

SPECIMEN PLANTS ∙ TRADITIONAL GARDEN DESIGN ∙ EXETER

Traditional Specimen plants ∙ Box topiary balls ∙ Box topiary Spirals ∙ Box topiary pyramids ∙ Bay trees ∙ Magnolia ∙ Olives Trees ∙ Pleached Trees

SPECIMEN PLANTS ∙ CONTEMPORARY ∙ ZEN ∙ TROPICAL GARDEN DESIGN ∙ GARDEN DESIGN ∙ EXETER

Specimen plants ∙ Tree Ferns ∙ Bamboo ∙ Cloud Trees ∙ Olives ∙ Palms ∙ Silver Birch Trees

ACCESSORIES TO PLANTING SCHEMES

Adding planting accessories with always add interest to your planting scheme. Natural materials always work well. Boulders and aged timber. Can add interest to an urban zen garden design, Exeter. The decorative bark looks great. It reduces weeks. Prevent water loss. In those long hot summer months. Reducing the need for watering.

SCULPTURES ∙ GARDEN EXETER

Sculptures can look great in the right setting. Aged corten steel. Or stainless-steel water features.

WATER FEATURES ∙ GARDEN DESIGN

Water features can look great. In the right context. Adding a relaxing. Sound and movement elements to your garden design. Over those large koi ponds or a natural pond. They are expensive to install. And require a lot of effort to maintain. And they are not that child or pet friendly.

Small water features are great. For those smaller courtyard gardens.

WATER FEATURES ∙ drilled boulders ∙ Stainless steel blades ∙ Stone rills ∙ Wall mounted fountains ∙ Corten steel bowls

CREATING AREAS FOR ENTERTAINING ∙ GARDEN DESIGNER ⋅ DESIGN EXETER

Gardens are great areas for entertaining. Why not create a courtyard garden for a smaller inner-city garden? Or create a decking area. For a hot tub. It’s important to select the right materials for your garden design project.

PAVING ∙ SEATING ∙ CREATING ENTERTAINING AREAS

Paving is a great way to add an entertaining area to your garden design. Natural stone paving will always look better than concrete pavers. And it will age better.

NATURAL STONE PAVING ∙ Popular stones include ∙ sandstone paving ∙ granite paving ∙ Slate paving and granite natural stone paving.

PORCELAIN PAVING ∙ it’s a relatively new product for the UK markets. It has been popular in Europe and America for a lot longer. It’s hard-wearing. Extremely stain-resistant. And is available in a wide variety of colours and finishes.

PORCELAIN QUALITY ∙ You do really get what you pay for. The cheaper stones can be full of cheap fillers. And the stones don’t tend to age. And can develop holes in the finish. During cutting or through general wear and tear. These cheaper products tend to come from Asia. Whereas the better porcelain comes from Italy and Spain. It is double to ask your supplier to verify the country of manufacture.

CUTTING PORCELAIN TILES ∙ GARDEN DESIGNER ⋅ DESIGN EXETER

Porcelain. By its very natural. It’s a tough durable material. That’s extremely hard to cut. First off, the bat. You will need to invest a good quality. Dedicated porcelain blade. Forget the small angle grinder. And go for a Wet Stihl petrol cutter. Or a wet table tile cutter.

LAYING PORCELAIN PAVING ∙ GARDEN DESIGNER ⋅ DESIGN EXETER

BRIDGE BONDS ∙ SBR ∙ TRADITIONAL MORTAR BED

Installing a porcelain patio. Is slightly trickier than traditional. Concrete or natural stone patio. As the porcelain is impervious. You will have problems getting the mortar. To stick to the back of the porcelain slab. It’s important to use a bridging bond. To help the mortar to stick.

ADJUSTABLE PEDESTALS ∙ RUBBER FEET ∙ PLASTIC FEET

Other methods include plastic feet. To create a sort of suspended floor patio. This method tends to use on roof terraces. Where weight is an issue. You create a void under the paving. Enabling great drainage. Avoiding cables and pipes.

This method is used for large format paving slabs.

DECKING ∙ GARDEN DESIGN ∙ EXETER

DECKING ∙ DRAINAGE ∙ UNEVEN GROUND

Decking is a great way to add an entertaining area to your garden design project. It looks great. It’s great for areas where drainage can be an issue. Or areas of your garden. Where the ground is uneven.

SOFTWOOD DECKING ∙ CREATING ENTERTAINING AREAS

Softwood decking looks great. It’s long-lasting. And is tanalised. To prevent water damage. And attached by insects and rodents.

Ridged ∙ Smooth Boards ∙ Softwood decking is available in both. Ridge and smooth boards. Ridge boards are more slip-resistant. Especially on those cold frost mornings. Smooth boards generally look better. Gives your that boardwalk feel.

HARDWOOD DECKING ∙ GARDEN DESIGNER ⋅ DESIGN EXETER

LUXURIOUS ∙ HARDWEARING ∙ Hardwood decking looks great. It’s rich in colour and luxurious in appearance. Most boards are planned smooth. And the timber is fixed with stainless steel screws. The boards are usually left untreated. Although the hardwood boards can be periodically oiled. To enhance their colour. And protecting the boards from splitting over time. And UV damage.

INSTALLING A HARDWOOD DECK ∙ GARDEN DESIGNER ⋅ DESIGN EXETER

UNEVEN ∙ WATERLOGGED GROUND ∙ STILTED DECKS

Decks are great as they can easily cope with uneven ground. Or slightly waterlogged conditions. It’s possible to stilt your decking. Although it’s worth checking any local planning laws. Relating to raised decks.

STILTED DECKS ∙ timber or concrete post can be used. The posts are usually concerted into a hole. And tied into the decking frame. Using bolts, washers and nuts.

ADDING A WEED MEMBRANE

It’s a good idea to add a tough weed membrane. Before adding your timber base. This will prevent weed from growing up. Between your new decking boards.

DECKING FRAME ∙ CARCASSING ∙ GARDEN DESIGNER ⋅ DESIGN EXETER

The decking frame creates a strong. The structurally sound base for your decking. Its usually constructed out of tanalised 4 x2” or 5 x2” timber joists. Held together with screws. The base usually has a frame. And noggins can be added between joists. To give extra strength. And prevent the timber from twisting. The joists usually have 400mm or 500mm joist centres.

Creating Boxes ∙ For large decks. Or awkward decks. It’s possible to construct your base out of a series of boxes. Which can be constructed and lifted into position. With a little help. The ‘boxes’ can then be levelled. And screwed or bolted into position.

LEVELNG YOUR FRAME ∙ GARDEN DESIGNER ⋅ DESIGN EXETER

CHECKING THE PLUMB ∙ It’s a good idea to level your frame before attaching your boards. Using a long spirit level. Check the ‘plumb’ of your decking across. down the length of the deck. Start off by raising and lowering the corners of your base. And

Check for movement or flex – ‘Chop’ out any voids causing movement. With timber packers.

CUTTING ∙ ATTACHING YOUR BOARDS

TIMBER LENGTHS ∙ It’s a good idea to work out your board lengths before starting the project. Boards usually run across your garden. They look better. And it’s easier to construct your decking frame. You want the least amount of joints in your decking. And the least amount of wastage. Any joins need to be staggered between alternative decking boards!

SCREWS FOR DECKING ∙ The cheaper green screws can be used for softwood decking. Use the stronger stainless-steel screws for hardwood decking.

Home page

Ultimate plant guide ⋅ garden design ideas ⋅ plants for places ⋅ planting combinations

Decking ⋅ design ideas ⋅ products ⋅ construction ⋅ aftercare

Garden design guide ⋅ garden design themes

Paving guide ⋅ design ⋅ materials ⋅ drainage ⋅ suppliers

More paving ⋅ pointing ⋅ Sealing stone

How to plant ⋅ planting ⋅ watering

Ideas inspirations guide ⋅ includes images of past work

Garden make over guide ⋅ slatted fencing ⋅ low maintenance gardens

Lawn care guide ⋅ turfing ⋅ soil types ⋅ drainage

Courtyard ⋅ small garden design

Garden clearance guide ⋅ clay soils ⋅ levelling

Artificial grass ⋅ design ⋅ installing ⋅ clean