This week we're celebrating the renowned plants-woman, Beth Chatto, who sadly died this week at the age of 94. We've featured Beth's wonderful garden near Colchester in Essex several times on the SGD blog. Her inspirational planting style (which won her 10 gold medals at the presitigious Chelsea Flower Show in London) is loved and admired the world over. The Key to … [Read more...] about Plantswoman extraordinaire – Beth Chatto
About Rachel Mathews
Awkward Triangular Shaped Garden Case Study – SGD Student Ana, Madrid
A triangular shaped garden is a daunting prospect to design. And this is one heck of an awkward garden... Small Garden Formula student Ana from Spain was up for the challenge... The garden is around 130m2, wider and with an awkward shape. In has two sides with 20 years old, more than 5 meters high Cupressus arizonica planted every 30-50cm. I do not like that … [Read more...] about Awkward Triangular Shaped Garden Case Study – SGD Student Ana, Madrid
Tiny space garden ideas – SGD student Rebeca
Last time we featured an awkward shaped garden, that Successful Garden Design student Rebeca from Costa Rica had turned into a beautiful space after completing the Great Garden Formula course. Not content with tacking one tricky garden, she's now done another one. This time it's the size more than shape that's hard to deal with. Designing a tiny space garden Rebeca … [Read more...] about Tiny space garden ideas – SGD student Rebeca
Odd shaped garden – how to design an awkward shaped garden
What can you do with such an awkward shaped garden? This garden belongs to Rebeca Brenes a forestry engineer from Costa Rica. While Rebeca knew about plants, there isn't currently training in her country in garden design. This is a really tough garden to design. Make no mistake, even professional designers would find this one challenging... With no experience and … [Read more...] about Odd shaped garden – how to design an awkward shaped garden
Awkward shaped garden design solutions – Case study
Having a garden that is an unusual or awkward shape can often feel like a nightmare to deal with. Actually though, an awkward shape garden often as not is a blessing because it enables you to come up with a design that is very unique, that you wouldn't have been able to do in a regular rectangular shape garden. So how do you transform an awkward shape … [Read more...] about Awkward shaped garden design solutions – Case study
A back front garden! An unusual garden – Case study
The garden in this month's case study is a little bit unusual. This is because the driveway ran down the side of it to the garage and parking area at the top. So it was a bit like having a front and back garden combined as one. So how do you overcome an awkward or unusual garden layout? Step 1 Your main job is to disguise the part that is unusual, or try to at least … [Read more...] about A back front garden! An unusual garden – Case study
Trellis screening tips for the garden
Trellis screening not only has practical uses in the garden, they can be very attractive focal points too. If you are looking for an accent piece for your garden or even a privacy screen, a trellis does a fine job, particularly when well covered with plants, woven through its lattice framework. Trellis screening construction If you’d like to add interest and practicality to … [Read more...] about Trellis screening tips for the garden
Online garden design course student – Zakes’ garden
Great Garden Formula online course student Zakes, an airline attendant from South Africa, shares his garden journey. His story, as you'll see in the videos, is a remarkable one... Zakes lives in Johannesburg. Working as a flight attendant enabled him to visit gardens all over the world. Inspired by all the amazing gardens he saw on his travels, Zakes went about … [Read more...] about Online garden design course student – Zakes’ garden
Successful Garden Design Tips – Evergreen Plants – Winter Wonders
Evergreen planting tips for your garden Evergreen plants can often be overlooked and underused. In this week's quick tips video Rachel demonstrates just how amazing they can be... Plant Design Principles When designing any planting scheme it's important to consider the following: Garden growing conditions eg. sun, shade, rainfall, soil type, temperatures Heights … [Read more...] about Successful Garden Design Tips – Evergreen Plants – Winter Wonders
[DESIGN SHOW 24] Sensational Autumn & Winter Border Planting Tips
![[DESIGN SHOW 24] Sensational Autumn & Winter Border Planting Tips](https://h7dq7dky24hjs1q-zippykid.netdna-ssl.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/11/DESIGNSHOW24acov-150x150.jpg)
In this Successful Garden Design Show episode... Rachel visits Marks Hall Garden and Arboretum in Essex for inspiration on how to create modern and natural planting schemes with autumn and winter interest... We look at how the addition of grasses and key plants into a border can prolong the length of time the garden looks good. The purple flowered Asters and … [Read more...] about [DESIGN SHOW 24] Sensational Autumn & Winter Border Planting Tips
