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| Heidi-Jo's prize winning garden |
The opportunity to design and build a show garden meant that Heidi-Jo Swain had the chance to fulfil a long held ambition on a practical and achievable level.
As well as being able to show people the standard of design that she can achieve it also provided her with the opportunity to talk to the public about what they want from their gardens.
The experience gained from designing and building the garden has been invaluable. Not only has she had the pleasure of designing the plot she has also sourced plants, hard landscaping materials and the 'props' needed to bring the plan to life.
Her inspiration for this year's garden came from John Brookes who, in his book Garden Planning says:
".... the design for an enclosed town garden should be simple, with the object of making an outside room furnished with permanent sculptural groupings of plants. Colourful annuals can be grouped and arranged in containers to provide contrast. You might also consider an overhead canopy, perhaps a pergola, to provide some seclusion...."
Heidi-Jo’s design is classic, simple and easy to maintain. Ideal for the busy town house owner who wants to relax rather than work in the garden.
The Royal Norfolk show gardens are only 15ft x 12ft and therefore the design needs to be simple and elegant in order to create the peaceful haven away from the stresses of modern living.
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| A different view of the same garden |
The plan shows that Heidi-Jo has incorporated a gazebo with seating for a sense of privacy and seclusion. Pea shingle is the main surface and has been chosen to emphasise the diverse array of foliage, form and texture of the planting.
Much of the planting is sculptural and permanent with the addition of colourful annuals which could be increased or decreased as desired. Keeping colour in containers allows the display to be changed throughout the seasons and even allows for a complete change of colour.
Dressing the garden personalises the space and the addition of lanterns and fairies gives the tiny space an enchanted feel that is enjoyed by both adults and children alike.
Heidi-Jo Swain Dip.GD (Inst.GD) is a graduate of the Institute of Garden Design.
The garden plan
The plant list
1. Cordyline Australis
2. Carex oshimensis evergold
3. Hemerocallis
4. Salvia x superba east friesland
5. Salvia x superba rose queen
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6. Heuchera palace purple
7. Carex muskingumeris
8. Calendula officinalis
9. Lavandula angustiflia vera
10. Lavandula angustifolia stoechas |
11. Lavandula angustifolia munstead
12. Lavandula angustifolia rosea
13. Primula vialii littoniana
14. Alchemilla mollis
15. Primula |
Under the gazebo, a selection of plants were displayed in the containers including:
- Alchemilla mollis
- Hendera helix
- Hosta
- Viola
- Sempervivum montanum
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For more information about Heidi-Jo's garden go to http://www.angelinmygarden.co.uk/
