I have always felt that I am dressing a film or theatre set when I create areas in my garden. I conjure up these images in my head of how I want a corner or area of the garden to look and then set about recreating what is in my head! The net result always resembles the snapshot I had imagined. I’m pleased to say that the feedback received from visitors reflects the attention to detail that I try to impose across the plot.
Positive feedback
Following visits to Driftwood last June, these 2 reviews were posted to Trip Advisor: “Visually and artistically stunning. Wow what an amazing garden. Set over various levels, so much interest and inspirational ideas. We had to go round the garden more than once and we were still discovering new plants and artwork.”
“The brilliant use of bric a brac, ceramics and other objects Trouvé with inspired plants and planting.”
I have to say it is so rewarding for me to read these, as they encapsulate the essence of what I set out to achieve in the garden!
An extension of my home
In the garden talks I provide through the winter months, along with the talks I provide to visitors in the summer, I always describe my style of gardening the same way!
I believe a garden is an extension of the home, another room or rooms to the house. A few years ago, I was gifted an old typewriter that was going to be discarded. I immediately knew what I was going to do with it! I placed it on an old metal table in a corner of the patio, surrounded it with pots of brimming colour, even had a telephone on the table and an old wire rack with books at the back! Last summer I used it on the new patio with the railways sleepers and surrounded it with succulents.
Outdoor Fireplace
Another idea that has worked really well is the concept of an old fireplace fixed to the wall or fence. I used to have an old wooden one I had been given, which lasted about 5 years and then last year I bought an old metal one. Both looked spectacular set against the fence and dressed with flowers and other bits and pieces. You can even use an old dining room chair with the cushion section removed, to create a planter to sit next to the fireplace, along with placing an outdoor mirror above the mantel.
Objets trouvé
In the beach garden at the front of the house, I have created a marine tableau, using a large old rowing boat as a centre piece completely surrounded with plants and marine objects. It looks just like a setting for a marine adventure.
I have a large collection of objets Trouvé which are put away for the winter months. Each spring they all come out of storage and are carefully placed around the garden. Each year I try and place them in different positions, which in turn creates varying vistas across the plot. Some of the larger objects are quite unusual to find in a garden.
Two such examples are the 2 vintage children’s rocking horses, one on all fours and one that I have a frame for, allowing it to vault the hedge! You can see it in front of the Cox’s Orange Pippin. They certainly draw a lot of comments from visitors.
Another favourite is the large metal cow planter, made from old Vietnamese oil cans. It too draws lots of interesting comments from visitors and it looks different every summer, planted up with a variety of plants.
In addition to the collection of bigger objects, I have an even larger collection of smaller pieces that can be placed around the garden to augment the planting. Some of my favourites include a ceramic butterfly on a stake, two small blue birds on stakes, a rather gorgeous mosaic blackbird and a recycled metal dachshund! It never ceases to amaze me how the careful placing of these pieces can create nuances that change the whole look across the garden.
Only last summer I visited a garden open for the National Garden Scheme, whose owners had recently been to Driftwood, only to find a horse regaling their rather large garden too. I have to say it was in better condition than mine as it had been owned by the family and spent all its life in the nursery!
So, guys, go check what you’ve got hidden away and see if it will work as a fixture in your garden this summer and captivate friends and family who visit.
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