Garden Designers & Landscapers

With memories of the RHS. Chelsea Flower Show dimming and RHS. Hampton Court show not until July, we can recommend the idea of visiting the Jacksons Show Gardens, based at their Head Office site near Ashford.
The gardens are the result of a very different type of garden design competition, one for environmentally friendly and sustainable gardens. These are open to the public all year round and not dismantled after a week, obviously allowing the gardens to grow and develop.

Sandstone was very happy to have been asked to construct two of the show gardens and refurbish the existing gardens, (2010 competition winners). The longevity of the Jacksons project appealed to Sandstone, believing as we do in the importance sustainability and adapting to the needs of our environment.

Three hectic weeks of building culminated in the unveiling of the gardens by
celebrity gardener Joe Swift. He opened the three 2011, winning gardens and the four revamped gardens from last year. Joe commented on how the unique Jacksons show garden project is important for the industry highlighting the use of design, quality products and accessibility.
To view the gardens online and obtain details of the winners please visit:

www.jacksons-fencing.co.uk/pages/multimedia/images.aspx?gid=766

Tip: Think beyond the hard landscaping too

Much more seasonal now but there still hasn’t been any rain worth speaking of in the Tunbridge Wells and Sevenoaks area, (as I write). Although a return to more ‘normal’ seasonal conditions is predicted in the next few weeks, for now we have to continue watering our recently planted trees and shrubs; by recent I mean anything planted since last October. How much water is needed?

Obviously this depends on many factors, the size of the tree or plant, where it is in relation to the sun and surrounding foliage, and the type of soil it is planted in.

Only by looking closely at your newly planted tree or shrub will you know how it is coping with the dry conditions. A stressed plant will have wilted leaves. As the condition worsens they will turn crispy and eventually drop off. So ensure that the plant is checked every couple of days and watered at the first sign of stress. The signs of over watering are the leaves turning yellow and spotted, rapid leaf drop and poor growth.

Tip – A hose perforated with holes, placed around the base of newly planted trees and along borders of shrubs and flowers, takes out a lot of the hard work.

With the unpredictable British weather it’s hard to know when and if warm weather will arrive. Not wanting to be caught out, our Tunbridge Wells clients had foresight and requested Sandstone to carry out much of the work on their stylish, new garden during the winter months. The correct decision, as happily our clients are now ready to get pleasure from long, Sunday lunches with friends and family in their new garden, during the BBQ summer ahead of us!

In order to introduce light into this contemporary garden and after obtaining the necessary permission from the local tree officer, the crowns of two rather large trees were lifted during the non growing months. They are now not only resplendent in new leaf but also in the fact that the garden is now clear enough for them to be appreciated in their own right. The sunlight can now stream through to the benefit of the lawn and budding flowers.

To take full advantage of the garden’s more open feel Sandstone designed and made a bespoke, stainless and bilau pergola, providing a defined seating area. A picture of this can be seen at http://www.sandstonedesign.co.uk/pergolas-gazebos.html pic.2

Another interesting idea was to make a bespoke, slatted screen in bilau hardwood to run down the side of the garden in front of bamboo, (Phyllostachys aurea). This leads down to the end of the garden where it meets a terrace of black slate; creating a united space of modernist tranquillity!

Tip - It’s time to sort out your lawn. The RHS Gardening Advice for lawns gives step by step instructions to follow.

Out of hibernation?

Well, needless to say, Sandstone’s wonderful team of Landscapers have battled on through regardless. All we need to do now is to pander to sayings such as, ‘in like a lion, out like a lamb.’ And this very cold start to March will soon be a memory.
What have we been managing to create? Something beautiful of course; here is a brief description of one of our recent projects in a village near Tunbridge Wells.

Clients brief -To refurbish the driveway and entrance to the house.

What started as a project to replace a crumbling, front garden, sandstone wall has grown has into one of completely redesigning and landscaping the front garden.
The splendid new, natural sandstone walling incorporates subtle lighting and borders the edge of the newly laid, bonded, aggregate driveway. The planting is a mixture of evergreen and deciduous shrubs, summer perennials and spring flowering bulbs. All ready for the warmer weather.

Much to the gratification of the landscaping team their work has given rise to many deserved, admiring, comments and glances from those passing, while spawning 3 further work enquiries!

Tip – Clean and clear out the green house now in readiness for the imminent sowing of seeds etc. Any unwanted occupants, for example Red Spider Mites have enjoyed its protection through the winter so it’s a good time for them to go!

Having recently completed a fantastic garden in Tunbridge Wells, I would like to share some elements of it with you.

Client’s brief - A low maintenance area in which to relax at the weekend after a hectic week.

It can be quite surprising how a relatively small garden can be transformed into an oasis in the middle of a busy town, providing a retreat that can be enjoyed all year round.

In order to achieve the desired tranquillity, Ali chose bubbling water through a stainless steel rill with granite pebbles. This compliments the surrounding hardwood decks on which a bespoke pergola, (designed and built by Sandstone), sits providing cover from inclement weather. With modern Westminster garden furniture, supplied by Sussex Country Gardener, Mark Cross, used to create a comfortable and stylish outdoor dining room, weekend guests can be entertained at leisure.

Finally, we feel this garden is successful because a contemporary and peaceful feel has been created by using clean lines, a subtle combination of colours and natural materials. All this is accentuated by the contrasting and exciting Mediterranean / tropical planting!

Tip - Remember to wrap up your mild climate, loving plants for the winter!

In our experience very few people don’t have some opinion, however vague, on the way they wish their completed garden to look. Having gone through the design process with Allister Dempster, Sandstone’s designer, you will hopefully feel confident that the vague and muddled thoughts in your head have been successfully interpreted and all is well.

You may or may not be able to visualise your completed design in advance, but once your garden is beginning to emerge from the soil heaps and piles of paving you will begin to get a sense of what it is going to look like.

It is of course possible, at this point, that you decide you want to change the odd thing. No problem – let’s face it if you don’t like Hydrangeas don’t have Hydrangeas!

Tip How much input should you have in the process? As much as you want!

Although the seasonality of the British year seems to be in a bit of a pickle at the moment, Sandstone’s 12 years experience of landscaping gardens suggests that it is indeed possible to work all year round. In fact, as you are probably aware, some jobs eg. planting and turfing, flourish in the autumn and spring months. With the exception of last winter, the trend also seems to be for milder winters allowing for hard landscaping jobs to be completed; so your new patio can be ready to be used by you come early summer, rather than there being landscapers all over it.

Returning to your garden project, once it has started continue to communicate with your designer and project manager and have faith that although your garden may look a mess very quickly our landscapers know what they’re doing and it will come together again soon.

Tip - Landscapers (and any other people working outdoors), never turn down the offer of a hot drink. Timing!

When starting any process we all like to know what to expect so we can physically and mentally prepare ourselves, a landscaping project is no different. Thus the first few blogs concentrate on Sandstone Design Solutions’ approach to creating a beautiful new garden and also highlight some potential pitfalls.

Communication in all areas is of paramount importance. Obviously when choosing who you want to complete your work you’ll ensure that you €œspeak the same language, in order to successfully communicate your ideas and feel confident they know what you want. Less obviously, make sure all those involved in the project on the home front, are also communicating; share the decision making process and take on the responsibility of knowing what is going to happen at each stage. Having to undo completed work costs more than twice the amount!

Tip - Take time at every stage to think and make decisions, engage with your designer, the result will be worth it.