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.

2013 Gardens on the go

Here in Tuscany the seasons have had a strange uneven flow of late and many plants have gone into a state of confusion, to blossom or not to blossom this is the dilemma.  

The last few weeks have been taken up by planting thousands of spring bulbs, Narcissus, aliums, crocus, iris, tulips you name them we've dug the holes for them.  The nursery garden is full of trays and pots and we are awaiting the arrival of our new poly tunnel.

In December our latest garden design project in Tuscany kicked off with a flurry of activity.  We are now in mid flow of creating a relaxed family garden designed to deter wasps, bees and other stingers as the family are extremely allergic.  We are introducing meandering gravel paths, hidden corners in which to sit and relax, flower borders beneath the trees and a covered eating area.  A large semi circle of neutral toned gravel has given the old Tuscan Farmhouse a welcoming entrance and we are introducing raised beds for veggis and herbs which have been handcrafted from chestnut timber poles.

The garden is taking on a whole new identity one that draws you in to different spaces and entices you to explore.

Our wonderful tree surgeon Oscar and his assistant Stefano have just completed a chestnut pergola for a woodland cottage in Pescia and also created a bespoke handcrafted wrought iron balustrade.  We love including artisan or one-off designs in our garden projects as they give the outside space a unique quality.  Next up on the list is a 'Alice in Wonderland' style tree-house constructed from natural timber, no straight lines here!  We are building this tree house with the idea that it will last for generations and still appeal to teenagers and adults alike.

When not working in a client's garden I'm pouring over seed catalogues for a little indulgence as I have just started an orto in our own garden here near Siena.  I also hope to create a small formal kitchen/herb garden or 'witches' garden as they are known here.

A few images from Bella Terra's gardens this winter...

 

 

Little By Little

Gardens in Tuscany have never been so beautiful, in my eyes at least.  With the cooler air and the changing of the seasons the landscapes take on a whole new vibrancy.  Lately at Bella Terra we have been dividing our time between serious ground moving and hands on gardening.  Fences have been crafted from Chestnut poles in the traditional Tuscan style.  Hillside gardens have been shored up and secured using a no cement environmentally friendly system and a monastic inspired culinary herb garden designed and planted.

Over the Autumn our to-do lists are positively overflowing but all with good stuff.  Our sheds are full to the brim with 1000s of bulbs and corms and we are chomping at the bit to start on an adventure playground and tree-house fort for a family near Pescia.

For now though we are continuing our work on two wonderful gardens near Arezzo and Montespertoli both of which will in time grow to be truly beautiful.  We have planted climbing roses, aromatic herbs, lavender beds, Russian sage borders, banks and banks of iris, Box Hedging and now we are working on wild flower meadows.

Whilst I truly love working outside I am also looking forward to getting back to the drawing board this Autumn.  I have been inspired by a good friend to work on a collection of 'one stop pots' where we can provide 'instant' garden solutions for rooftop and patio gardens.  Lightweight, low maintenance and hassle free, so watch this space.

Below are a few in progress shots of projects on the go...

This garden was sliding down the hill

Chestnut uprights and horizontal metal supports secure the bank

This Eco method uses 'zero' cement

Terraces are manageable and ready for planting

Classic Tuscan fencing

The timber fence sits gently amongst the woodland setting

3 months old, the early stages of a formal kitchen garden

Dry Stone Walls, Herbs, Lemons, Apples and a quiet space to relax

Rules and Regs Tuscan Style

Working in Tuscany is a joy but there are elements of this work that can prove tricky.  Take permissions for example, what might seem like a simple gardening job can turn into a legal nightmare if you don't seek the legal permissions and conduct a survey.

Whilst we have worked on projects in several different regions of Tuscany there are no set rules, each Commune will have its own structure for obtaining permissions therefore we always advise seeking the help of an experienced local Geometra.

Things to consider when planning a garden and checking for permissions include:

• Boundaries
• Rights of Way
• Access
• Heights of Garden Structures
• Ground Moving activities
• Pergola Designs - with or without a covers
• Materials - local suppliers
• Water Courses - above and below ground
• Protected environments
• Communal Use
• Visibility from other Communes and Churches

Phew, yes it is a bit of a minefield and well worth checking out all queries with an expert before undertaking larger landscaping work.  I always work with nature rather than against her and this is vital in Tuscany with such wildly variable climates and I try create harmonious gardens that sit well within the environment.  Taking this approach and using locally sourced natural materials will always prove beneficial when seeking legal permissions for gardening work.

For more info on planning a Tuscan Garden call Sharon on: 334 599 5702