Wellbeing and Water

Whenever I hear the sound of water in a garden I stop and breathe, the effect this has on me is instant.  Whether it be a fountain, stream, waterfall, rippling pond or tiny table top water feature, the sense of restfulness is the same.  In Tuscany water is an issue it most likely will remain so, therefore the use of water in the garden has to be carefully considered.  However with a little bit of wizardry water can be channeled and reused in the garden and need not become a drain on precious resources.  I always try and incorporate an element of water within a garden, classic Tuscan gardens often include a grand statuesque fountain whereas simple more contemporary gardens take a modern twist with simple metal or stone water features. Water connects spaces in the garden and can also act as a focal point or resting space.  Sitting alongside a flowing stream or cascade of water will naturally calm and refresh bringing a sense of well-being to the space.

I recently stumbled upon this amazing artist and am in love with his work.  I will be asking for his input on any larger garden designs as his sculptures are truly breathtaking.  http://www.gilesrayner.com/sculpture-portfolio.php

Rose Gardens Tuscan Style

I never grow tired of taking time to smell the scent of the roses, it comes naturally to pause at climbing roses, rose bushes, wild hedgerows and formal rose beds to take in the form of the blooms, the sheen of the leaves and the scent of the rose petals.  In Tuscany roses are grown in vineyards in vegetable gardens, on wild verges and on balconies, a timeless statement of natural beauty.  The climbing rose in particular works wonderfully in both informal and classic Tuscan Gardens.  I have some personal favorites such as Banksiae with its clusters of petit white or yellow blooms, this climber is robust and fast growing and will spread across walls and pergolas swiftly achieving a mature look in the first year of planting.  New Dawn is a delicate looking rose with pale pinky blooms often merging with a peach hue, this too is robust and hardy and will tolerate changeable weather conditions.  Constance Spry is personal friend and a firm favorite of mine and if you are looking for a stunning bush plant then you can't beat Jude The Obscure.  Another very good all-rounder is the Iceberg which needs little maintenance and will establish well in most situations.


In my nursery garden I have over 30 types of rose cuttings which I am watching over with baited breath I have had great success with Iceburg, Banksiae and many others so watch this space.  For details on roses that will thrive in Tuscany contact Sharon on 334 599 5702 or email bellaterra@arthouse-pr.com For research check out David Austin Roses at www.davidaustinroses.com

Banskiae

Constance Spry

Jude the Obscure

Iceburg

New Dawn

Bed 4

When we moved in to this house 25 years ago, I made a lot of perennial beds but had no hardscape structures or mature trees. Over the years we have renovated sections of the garden and of course the plants have matured and grown. I am pleased that each bed seems to have taken on its own personality lately. I have "names" for each bed so I know where I am planting what but even those have changed. Originally they were Beds 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5 whereas now they are nicknamed the Front, the Elaine bed, the Gnome bed, Bed 4, The Oak tree bed and the Vortex bed. (!!)
Bed 4 is halfway down the southwest side of the yard beside the pool pump. It's the only one that has retained its original name. Certain plants such as the spruce tree and the shrub rose have exploded in size. Many of the perennials are the originals, others are new. But there is great camaraderie among them so I thought I would show these successful combinations to you.

I have attempted to keep the gentle curved shape by edging sharply in the spring. I actually need to carve it out wider under the spruce because it's so hard to mow the grass under there. The main large plants are (from right to left) a spruce tree that was brought as a sapling from Northern Ontario, a shrub rose that's gone berserk this year in size, a graceful weeping Norway Spruce that still retains its elegant shape, a very ordinary do-nothing Rose of Sharon ( but it was a gift so I keep it) and a common lilac shrub, that bloomed its head off this spring!

The lilac in bloom

A close-up of the Weeping Norway Spruce

In the spring came a lovely group of bright red Darwin tulips. The stone fish wasn't yet being smothered by the Coreopsis 'Moonbeam' so it's still deeper in. I had already planted 3 of the succulents: Sedum and Sempervivum.

When the tulips and muscari faded, in came the Siberian Iris and small yellow Allium moly.

As the Hosta emerged ( 3 clumps of Blue Wedgewood and a transplanted chunk of 'Great Expectations') and the Coreopsis 'Moonbeam' filled out, I moved the Fish to a more prominent position. I also bought several more drought tolerant plants. They are now starting to bloom.

This is a new one that caught my eye: Sempervivum x hybrid 'Commander Hay'. It was big, interesting and cheap. I bought 3 in total. Extremely drought tolerant once established. They are easy to propagate - just remove the small baby rosettes and replant in a new location.

I thought this neon yellow sedum would fit nicely with a bed that is mostly green, stone blue and fall hues. This is Sedum rupestre (reflexum) 'Angelina'. It has a long, lanky habit.

Once I became totally enamoured with these succulents, I just ran right out and bought another one! Above is Sempervivum arachnoideum - Spider Web Hens and Chicks. Before it started to bloom, the rosettes seemed to be covered in spiderwebs.

Here are a few more shots of how well they blend together.

The daylilies are ready to bloom and the huge shrub rose will start to develop hips.

Helianthus are starting to bloom and in August the Red and Gold Fall Helenium will emerge (new this year).

Bed 4 has turned into a great 4 seasons show that has unusual plants that somehow co-exist well and even show each other off really brilliantly.

Please check my food blog - the latest recipe posted is Spinach Cavatappi Gratin.

Tuscan Gardens, In love with aliums x

This spring has simply whizzed by even though the weather has been somewhat confused.  For gardeners here in Tuscany the season is horribly late and we have only had one week of real heat since the winter months.  However, things are now really taking off.  Olives are still being cut, grass lawns are being mowed under control and the weeds are seriously taking hold of the flower beds.  We are spending much time up trees and on our knees which gives us time to think about new ideas for gardens and planting schemes.

Today I ate a delicious alpine strawberry fresh with dew at 6am whilst looking around the garden - fantastic, then I and picked a large bowl of sugar snap peas which we are growing up an ugly dividing fence, a great way of making use of it.  So in all corners the gardens are busy.

The courtyard garden is being developed to give a mix and match effect of English Cottage Garden and Tuscan Farmhouse, we are growing on borage and comfrey, hollyhocks, peonies, jasmines, wysterias, roses and herbs, a jumble of colours, textures and scents.  The vegetable garden is messy but productive and we have in many rare and interesting types of aubergines, just for fun and for our clients.  Also round courgettes, long courgettes verigated and yellow zuchinni, we hope to use the kitchen garden a an example of permaculture gardening once established.

On the drawing boards are plans for a Monastic Garden based around classic elements such as kitchen, herb and medicinal beds.  Also a hot red border featuring lots of texture and mexican grasses.  On love of ours is the trusty alium, whether ornamental, edible or simply architectural, these plants work in flower beds, veg gardens, borders, wild flower meadows and in pots for balconies and terraces.  Here are a few of our favourites, enjoy...

 

Garden Design 1

Between the years 1994 - 2001, I used to run a hobby business that I called Astrid's Garden Design. Local landscape contractors would contact me about doing a design for clients who wanted their front or backyard landscaped. I would plan out the overall design and suggest planting material, and then the contractor would install it.

I combined my love of drawing with horticultural knowledge and had a grand time designing gardens!
Let me show you one of my projects from the year 2000 and I'll explain what I did and why.

This customer had a brand new house that had a blank palette front yard and backyard - there was nothing there but grass. He and his wife wanted a large patio off the back kitchen sliding doors where they could sit and entertain. They also requested relatively low maintenance plants because they were new to gardening and often away a lot in the summer.

Here is what I designed for them. I apologize for the lack of focus especially with the print and names on the first diagram but I wanted you to be able to see the overall design and how I tried to create a flow using curved lines. I will blow up a portion of the design to discuss it - then you should be able to see the plant names more clearly.

The residence is the large blank in the middle. I tried to balance the backyard by making the patio a large curve, whose shape was echoed in the large sugar maple on the other side of the yard. Both circular shapes were balanced by a large evergreen in the opposite corner.
Shrubs, perennials and vines filled the space across the back fence as well as small pond in the upper right corner. The backyard faced north so I chose the plants that could tolerate shade - hostas, daylilies, and hydrangeas.

Viburnum opulus (Cranberry bush)  tolerates sunny or shady conditions

Daylilies and Hostas are good in partial shade

I always tried to mix trees and shrubs in with perennials to add structure. (I'm using my yard as an example - I rarely got to see the finished product of what I had designed).

I liked to add boulders and rocks to a border as well, but remember - do it only in proportion to the whole picture. Don't add too many or they look unnatural and lose their focal impact.

My Dad's garden is a great example of how curved garden beds enhance a square yard.

And evergreens in a corner add a strong sense of stability as well as year round colour and structure

Please visit my recipe blog : the latest post is Warm Fennel Salad with Olives, Pine nuts and Orange.

Ideas for summer 2013

Taking inspiration from others and learning something new everyday is so important when gardening.  Letting your skills and knowledge evolve each season will arm you with a mental reference library of facts, techniques and practical ideas.  I love studying other people's gardens and draw inspiration from other gardener's and their wisdom and vision.  At Bella Terra we have a wonderful collection of images and ideas for our clients to ponder over and our portfolio is expanding each year but nothing beats keeping your own mood board or scrapbook of garden ideas or dreams, one unique to you.  Here are some of my favorite garden images that fill me with inspiration.

 

Gardener's I would like to credit include Jean Horton who is my mentor and ongoing inspiration and Hugo Bugg who's work brings a fresh innovotive approach to garden design.