Garden Art Archives - Garden Design Sussex

Sandstone Paving- beautiful but troubling

Most of my clients love Indian Sandstone, with its rich varied colours, textures and ability to age gracefully. Historically in the UK we enjoyed York stone, also a sandstone, until it became too expensive for most people. Over the years I have become interested in where the sandstone we use comes from and how it is produced. Sandstone can be found across the globe in places where there once was high sand accumulation like riverbeds, deserts and coastal areas. There are many variations in colours from reds and yellows to golden browns as well as it being highly durable making [...]

By Andrew Staib|2025-02-11T14:09:24+00:00February 11th, 2025|Articles, Autumn, Blog, Garden Art, Places, Small Gardens|Comments Off

Designing with climbers

Using climbers in your garden design is a great way to utilize your space, particularly in a small garden, as well as bringing in design elements such as texture and colour to create a more three dimensional space. Also, by growing climbers up fences you can make your garden feel much bigger as the leaves of the climber will absorb light, rather than the light bouncing off fence panels which tend to make a garden feel smaller. Climbers are plants which grow vertically whether that be through trees or shrubs or up vertical surfaces like cliffs or walls. These plants [...]

By Andrew Staib|2025-02-11T14:08:29+00:00February 11th, 2025|Articles, Autumn, Blog, Climbers, Garden Art, Places|Comments Off

Elements and principles of garden design

When designing a new garden, or looking with fresh eyes at your old one, its useful to understand the key elements and principles that go into sculpting a beautiful and functional outside space. Even with limited experience using elements such as colour and texture, along with principles like proportion and balance can help the space feel harmonious as you consider all aspects and required functions of the land and what’s needed to make it look its best. As well as collecting images online of gardens that you like, you can begin to see the garden like a designer would, following [...]

By Andrew Staib|2025-01-20T10:21:48+00:00January 20th, 2025|Articles, Blog, Garden Art|Comments Off

Creating a Japanese-Style Garden in the UK: Embracing Tranquility and Harmony

Japanese gardens are renowned for their harmonious, playful blend of nature, spirituality, and artistry. They are designed to evoke tranquility, balance, and a deep connection to the natural world often in very small spaces. Although Japanese gardens are considered a complex art form and therefore closely tied to the culture and environment of Japan, there are aesthetic elements that can be embraced to create a Japanese-style garden in the UK. Garden design in Japan is considered an art form, and components are placed to mimic how artists will arrange scenery in a landscape painting. Therefore, a garden is viewed as [...]

By Andrew Staib|2024-01-26T11:05:01+00:00January 26th, 2024|Articles, Blog, Garden Art, Inspiration From Nature|Comments Off

Raised Beds In Your Garden Landscaping

Using raised beds when landscaping a garden is an ideal way to create a space to grow vegetables and herbs. Regardless of the size of a garden, raised beds allow for easy maintenance and can look visually attractive wherever they are located. As well as making gardening easier they also give you more say over what you can grow since you are less dependent on the natural soil type found in your garden. Choosing the Right Raised Bed Raised beds can vary in height, dimension and material. Before landscaping their design you should first consider the type and quantity of [...]

By Andrew Staib|2021-06-03T11:02:02+01:00August 4th, 2020|Articles, Blog, Garden Art, Plant Combinations, Pots, Small Gardens|Comments Off

Choosing the Best Herbs For Your Garden

Herbs are a wonderful addition to a garden. Whether growing them for culinary reasons, for attractive and fragrant borders, or to attract bees to the garden, herbs are often easy to grow and maintain. When landscaping a garden consider which herb is best suited for the function you want it to perform. Kitchen Gardens Using a freshly picked herb straight from your garden when cooking is hard to beat. There are many favourite varieties which are staples of a kitchen garden. Basil is a classic summer herb, easy to grow in pots and a lovely garnish to many dishes. A [...]

By Andrew Staib|2021-06-03T10:53:04+01:00July 20th, 2020|Blog, Flowers, Front Gardens, Garden Art, Grasses|Comments Off

Planting for a Butterfly Garden

Seeing butterflies flitting around is one of the joys during the summer months. If you are considering a butterfly garden when landscaping your outdoor space, the plants butterflies prefer tend to be ones which are easy to grow. Attracting butterflies in to your garden can be reassuring too, as they are good indicators of a healthy environment. They will also pollinate your flowers and help attract birds to your garden looking for food. Plants for a Butterfly Garden When landscaping a butterfly garden, you need to consider the larva stage of their life cycle as well as the adult stage. [...]

By Andrew Staib|2021-06-03T11:02:26+01:00July 13th, 2020|Flowers, Front Gardens, Garden Art, Insects|Comments Off

Planting for an Impressionist Garden

When landscaping a garden, by using plant and shrub varieties with different coloured blooms you can achieve a striking visual impact. By combining wildflowers and herbaceous perennials you can make a section of your garden resemble a beautiful painting from an impressionist master such as Claude Monet. His 1873 depiction of the Poppy Field immediately provokes images of the perfect summer scene. It is a scene which can be quite simple to replicate when landscaping your own garden. The Common Poppy It is hard to imagine this popular flower was once considered just a weed. Its vibrant red flowers are [...]

By Andrew Staib|2021-06-03T11:02:24+01:00July 2nd, 2020|Flowers, Garden Art, Transformations|Comments Off

The Sweetest-Smelling Flowers for the Garden

One of the pleasures of gardening is the accompanying scents from your flowers and shrubs. By taking in to consideration when different plants bloom while landscaping your borders, you can ensure your garden is filled with pleasant aromas the whole year round. Many plants will attract bees and butterflies, too. Border Plants Lavender is a garden favourite, a summer perennial ideal for borders and lining garden paths, releasing its gorgeous aroma when brushed. There are many varieties, but planted in the correct conditions lavender requires little maintenance. Wallflowers are another garden favourite which are easy to grow, providing lovely shades [...]

By Andrew Staib|2021-06-03T11:23:25+01:00June 22nd, 2020|Blog, Flowers, Garden Art|Comments Off

Choosing a Waterfall for Your Garden

Adding a waterfall to your garden is a great way to add character, a feature point which can transform your outdoor space. Not only do they look good, the sound of running water is soothing to many. By incorporating a water feature into your landscaping design it will also help oxygenate a pond and keep the water fresh and clean. There are many styles which can be used. The Natural Look A pond fed by a faux babbling brook provides a beautiful, natural looking water feature. The natural feel can be complemented by the surrounding planting, with leafy greens emphasising [...]

By Andrew Staib|2021-06-03T10:47:44+01:00May 13th, 2020|Articles, Blog, Flowers, Garden Art, Uncategorised|Comments Off