Monday, June 11, 2012
It may sound a bit counter intuitive, but the easiest way to maintain a garden is to put in the work first. As with countless other endeavours, a little research and a solid plan can go a long way towards averting future headaches. START WITH THE BONES. Structure is key. Not only will it help give your garden an orderly feel when you don’t have time to put into maintaining it at season’s peak, but a strong shape will give your garden an instant personality. Make sure to take into account the most logical spots for accommodating walking paths, planting beds, and how much space you’ll need for whatever furniture you have picked out. LET THE RIGHT PLANTS IN. How much sun does your garden get? Pick plants well…
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Wednesday, June 6, 2012
The RHS Chelsea Flower Show is probably the most iconic garden show in the entire world. Every year, thousands of people flock to West London in hopes of seeing the latest gardening trends, new flowers and plants and stunning gardens created by some of the most influential people in the industry. The scale of the gardens can sometimes be a little daunting if you’re looking for inspiration to take home, and with such detail and careful precision being seen in all of the exhibits, you may wonder how on earth you’d recreate such a look. However, rather than trying to replicate your favourite garden, you can instead take away important points to give your space a more professional and designed look. Colour palette It’s all too easy for plant lovers…
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Friday, April 20, 2012
Garden walls or 'vertical gardens' have gained a lot of notoriety over recent years with designers such as Patrick Blanc setting the standards. Vertical gardens can come in all shapes and sizes, some scaling entire buildings, whilst others sit in offices, gardens or private homes. Below I would like to show you how you can create your own vertical garden using a wooden pallet. This guide was inspired by Fern Richardson (Life on the Balcony) & Stephanie Lawrence (Design*Sponge), and the images are courtesy of Design*Sponge. To embed, copy and paste the code below: <p><img src="http://www.bridgman.co.uk/blog/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/DIY-Vertical-Garden-Wall.jpg" alt="Bridgman DIY Vertical Garden" border="0"></a></p><p>Source: <a href="http://www.bridgman.co.uk/blog/diy-vertical-garden-wall/">Bridgman.co.uk</a></p>
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Tuesday, April 10, 2012
Rooftop gardens have become increasingly popular, and for good reason too. Above all, rooftop gardens add beauty and leisure space to cities. They attract birds, butterflies, and other insects, making up for some of the wild habitat these critters have lost. Roof gardens even provide space for small-scale food production. Rooftop gardens also have practical benefits. By insulating the roof they keep the building cooler and lower costs for both heating and cooling. The plants improve air quality by filtering out air pollutants. By holding water in the plants and planting medium, the gardens reduce storm water runoff, an important issue in urban areas. A properly designed and maintained roof garden increases the life of a roof system and the value of the property. But rooftop garden design has special…
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Wednesday, April 4, 2012
Do you dream about expanding your living space? Having more room to relax, enjoy family activities or simply rejuvenate creates a comfortable home for every member of the family. Turn your garden into a spacious living room this spring, using clever garden design, stylish garden furniture and affordable structures that fit seamlessly into your lifestyle. Create the Framework Decide on the shape and layout of your outdoor living space first, including where you’ll set up the garden sofa, lounge chairs and coffee table. Would decking or a patio work well on your shady property, providing a flat, easy care surface for furniture and bare feet? Or would a conservatory suit your family’s needs better, supplying year round comfort and greater flexibility? Consider your budget, as well as the…
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Thursday, March 22, 2012
Are you looking to create a garden that invites, envelopes and impresses from the initial viewing? Visitors stand in awe of great gardens, and you’ll be hungry to spend more time in your outdoor space when it’s created with impressions in mind. A well thought out garden design combines good form, flowers and foliage and permanent features, presenting a space that reveals your character and leaves a fabulous first impression. Consider the Form of Your Garden No matter how large or small your garden, the space can be designed with good form in mind. Think about the flow of foot traffic and how sunlight travels across your property. Plan for a meandering pathway that takes you beside, through and into flowerbeds, herb gardens and flowering shrubs….
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Wednesday, March 14, 2012
A garden is much more than a collection of trees, shrubs, and flowers. A garden combines the dynamic energy of plants with walls, patios, and paths to create a well-designed and integrated landscape. Both functional and decorative, a garden path is the backbone of a home landscape. It can take you from the front garden to the back garden and it can also lend a sense of mystery and visual delight to the journey. Access and Design The most direct route from point A to point B is a straight line. If you just want your path to take you from here to there, a straight line is a good choice. But if you want your path to add to your garden as it guides you on…
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Friday, March 2, 2012
Living in a city or large town doesn’t mean giving up the pleasure of a garden. Indeed an urban garden can be just as pleasing as one situated deep in the countryside. You may have less space to work with, but it’s what you do with it that counts. Creating a haven in the city It doesn’t matter how big or small your plot is: you can always create a stunning and cosy space to retreat to. A patio paradise may sound like a dream but you can turn it into reality with clever use of materials. To be a true paradise it must be low maintenance, particularly if you work a lot and you want to enjoy your garden rather than maintaining it all the time. A good urban…
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Thursday, February 16, 2012
Although cottage gardens are often associated with plantings around a rustic cottage, they are appropriate around any home. There is no reason to deny yourself the pleasure and beauty of a cottage garden simply because you do not live in a cottage. The casual appearance of a cottage garden with its riot of colours and textures make this among the most attractive and inviting of any garden designs. Cottage garden design is not difficult as long as you remember that to capture the spirit of these gardens. You want to be sure to include flowers and plants that have a history of being used in a garden of this type. Also, leave all formality behind and don’t plan every minor detail, part of the charm of a cottage garden is…
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Thursday, January 26, 2012
For most people, having an outdoor space offers the opportunity to get some fresh air, enjoy warm weather and entertain guests. Whilst you may not be an enthusiastic gardener, having a patio area which looks inviting and vibrant is important for maximising the appeal of your garden. You can help lift your patio with the great range of luxurious outdoor furniture which is available, from modern table sets to rustic looking rattan loungers. But, if you really want to bring your outside patio space to life, incorporating a bit of garden design will add the finishing touches. Depending on your preferred style, you may want to create the ultimate chic and modern environment, or a more gentile and rustic appearing outlook. The scene can be set by your choice…
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