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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 |2025-02-11T14:09:24+00:00February 11th, 2025|Articles, Autumn, Blog, Garden Art, Places, Small Gardens|Comments Off on Sandstone Paving- beautiful but troubling

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 |2025-02-11T14:08:29+00:00February 11th, 2025|Articles, Autumn, Blog, Climbers, Garden Art, Places|Comments Off on Designing with climbers

Arundel Castle: A Journey Through Its Enchanting Gardens

Nestled in a broad valley of West Sussex, Arundel Castle stands as a testament to centuries of history and architectural grandeur. Founded in 1067 by Roger de Montgomery the castle has a rich past with elements of the medieval gatehouse and Norman keep that is still intact today. This was added to in the gothic architecture style that was applied when the 15th Duke of Norfolk refurbished the main house in the late 19th century. The castle isn’t the only part of the grounds which have been restored as the gardens are designed to mirror the complexity of the castle’s [...]

By |2025-01-20T10:23:46+00:00January 20th, 2025|Articles, Blog, Places|Comments Off on Arundel Castle: A Journey Through Its Enchanting Gardens

The World of William the Woodlice

  As Winter deepens, little creatures in our gardens curl up and go to sleep.   They are the woodlice, maligned by many, appreciated by few, even though they have been harmlessly, importantly munching on decayed wood and leaves for 110 million years.   They exist in every continent apart from Antarctica, with over 3500 species worldwide, some even have 7 pairs of lungs. Despite common misconceptions of woodlice being insects, they are actually more related to crabs and lobsters. They’re classified as isopods, which means ‘equal feet’, and they’re the only creature of their type to have successfully colonised [...]

By |2025-01-20T10:22:42+00:00January 20th, 2025|Articles, Blog, Places|Comments Off on The World of William the Woodlice

Creating a Contemporary Garden Design

If your home has the clean and minimalist design of the modern home, you’ll be looking for a garden that reflects that style.  After all, the garden is an outdoor space connecting us to nature, but also providing an extension of the home in which to relax and entertain. It should be personal yet connect with the surrounding landscape -- while offering a level of gardening maintenance that suits your lifestyle. With thoughtful use in planting and garden fixtures, you can include colour and warmth to a contemporary garden design.   Planting to Add Warmth Modern design often employs stone [...]

By |2021-06-03T11:35:58+01:00March 18th, 2020|Blog, Garden Art, Places, Small Gardens|Comments Off on Creating a Contemporary Garden Design

The Japanese Garden

This classic garden provides a calm refuge with natural elements that encourage contemplation and symbolize renewal, wonder, and beauty.  Stones are symbols of longevity and the ever-present forces of nature, providing the garden with an anchor. With stones, we can create a landscape for cascading water, with small hills, a stream, and a pond. Image by Drobek226 from Pixabay Water symbolizes continuity with the hereafter. Cascading water, streams and ponds with koi or carp fish providing a flash of gold colour. The cascades also have a practical purpose, as clear, circulating water helps keep the air fresh during summer months. [...]

By |2021-06-03T11:34:48+01:00March 10th, 2020|Blog, Garden Art, Places, Small Gardens|Comments Off on The Japanese Garden

Designing Your Dream Cottage Garden

For many of us, the image of the cottage garden with its warm colours, its links to a time gone by, and its self-sufficiency is idyllic. Yet this style of garden is in reach of us all, however small or large the plot. While the romantic image of the cottage garden may have certain defining features, the beauty within the design is there are no rules. With a little planning and minimal upkeep you can create the garden of your dreams. Features of a Cottage Garden This traditional style of garden was born out of practicality and most people will [...]

By |2021-06-03T11:35:39+01:00February 20th, 2020|Blog, Garden Art, Places, Small Gardens|Comments Off on Designing Your Dream Cottage Garden

Leonardslee Gardens to Open this April

This April, Leonarslee Gardens will open after a year's closure. For acid plant lovers it is akin to Willy Wonka flinging open his gates. To find my full article please read after the photos. Leonardslee Gardens To Open Again The greatest woodland garden in the UK is set to reopen in West Sussex with an excitement for nature lovers akin to Willy Wonka opening up his doors. With spectacular displays of Azaleas and Rhododendrons, Leonardslee is world famous. Andrew Staib, principle garden designer for Glorious Gardens Sussex, goes on a tour of the gardens with Head Gardener, Ray Abrahams. For [...]

By |2020-06-29T13:57:41+01:00March 4th, 2019|Bark, Blog, Flowers, Places, Spring|Comments Off on Leonardslee Gardens to Open this April

Arundel Castle Gardens

Arundel Castle Gardens are wonderful not just for their varied levels, winding paths and formal follies but also because there is so much tender care in the way things are looked after. Below are some of the highlights including a golden crown suspended by a simple jet of water which a colleague informed me was a technique they used in italy 500 years ago.  

By |2020-07-08T14:38:21+01:00May 24th, 2015|Blog, Places|Comments Off on Arundel Castle Gardens