Over the last seventeen years , we have always found something worthwhile and interesting to discuss over our gardening coffee breaks . Last Saturday was no exception – our conversation centred on the benefits of low maintenance gardening, and how important it is to fill your garden with as many plants as is possible.

Our conversation went something along the lines of …

” Do you know , If you think about it Judy , on average your garden takes me around three hours a month to work through. I would consider that to be pretty low maintenance. We actually have succeeded in creating a beautiful and super low maintenance in less than two years “

” I would agree with that, Martin and I really don’t do any more gardening between your visits . We just thoroughly enjoy spending our time sitting in the garden, or just looking out onto the garden from the lounge windows. But I really would like to be more involved with the garden this year “ said Judy.

At this point , I thought , what actually is there ( maintenance wise ) for Martin and Judy to do in the garden in between my visits ? The answer – not a great deal really – well, apart from dead heading the roses in summer. My conclusion was just to carry on enjoying the garden and use the planting and garden structures as ideas for new art projects . And I know Judy loves an art project, so that’s a simple solution , on how to be more involved . Basically , just use the garden as inspiration for art .

Eighteen months ago, when we designed, and then constructed this garden , all the turf was taken up , and replaced by hard paving and raised beds. It all looked so harsh, as there was so much hard landscaping. In all essence , it looked like a great deal of pathways with a collection of raised beds full of top soil, and a timber perimeter fencing. It really didn’t feel like a space where you would want to spend a great deal of time.

First day of planting September 2022.

It is so true, the more hard landscaping that there is in a garden space ( or any external space , come to think of it ) the greater the focus should be on softening the harshness with planting . So in autumn 2022 we set about planting with great gusto , and we also let plants self seed . Martin and Judy’s garden is now definitely a verdant garden space, where you really want to spend time .

Last year , I really enjoyed the shadows provided by plants on the paving and raised beds. This definitely helped to soften the harshness of the newly planted garden in 2023.

Plant shadows on the timber edges, it really provided an extra visual dimension in 2023.
Last year, I really enjoyed the pathway shadow planting effect , which softened the harshness of the paving in the first year .

Due to all the planting we have undertaken in the last eighteen months , the hard surfaces of the perimeter fencing, the raised beds, and the pavers are fading into the background , and you find yourself looking at all the vegetation . There are bulbs emerging, herbaceous perennials are sending up fresh shoots. There is so much to see, we have created a dynamic living garden space to be enjoyed all year round.

All the remaining images were taken mid February 2024. There is definitely so much more going on and growing on in the garden. This has become a garden of endless all year round art projects .

The harsh edges of the paving are softening
I really like how the vegetative shadows on the paving start to visually soften the hard landscaping.
Vivid crocus colours could form the basis of a great contrasting colour collage.
The leek like plant is the giant allium Summer drummer. We have about 20 planted – definitely a statement vegetative art piece for any garden.
narcissus , are providing early colour, I think a few could be taken indoors to sketch and paint.
Fantastic late winter colour, a perfect collection to paint
Umbellifer seed heads were broadcast through the garden.
We could always paint in the garden using stems as our brushes .
The perimeter fencing will be wired next month to enable the climbers to climb, and fill the garden perimeter with roses.
It was great to see Rudbeckia Prairie Glow , has made it through winter.
The timber raised beds , will provide a perfect place to sit and sketch from .
It might not look too exciting at the moment, but the stems of the echinacea pallida are on their way – this is definitely one perennial that should be part of sketch .

If you are interested in the history of the design and development of this garden, why not check out the link – Martin and Judy’s new garden. which is the catalogue of all the visits I have written since September 2022.

I will be back at Martin and Judy’s in a couple of weeks. If the weather is good, we will sit outside and sketch on our coffee break. I am really looking forward to a year of art inspired by this garden .