Wisley - July 2012

Inspiring planting in all three photos Nicky!

I love this part of Wisley Karen. I'm a huge fan of Tom Stuart-Smith - he designed it.

Ah yes, I like him too :) Love his Chelsea gardens very much :) Mind you, have to say, I was very impressed with Joe Swift's this year...what did you think of it? Did you go? I didn't make it this year, but I've been three times now and might go again next year. Love Chelsea Physic Garden too!

I adore this garden by Tom:

http://www.tomstuartsmith.co.uk/projects/show-gardens/chelsea-2008/

I attended a lecture given by him in February and at the end asked him what advice he had for a newby garden designer like me. I told him I had a degree in art, so he said that I should use my ability to draw to differentiate myself from the others. I've done nothing but practise my drawing since then. Maybe I should stick some on GOY? :-)

This year was my first year at Chelsea and yes, I saw Joe's garden. Wonderful it was. Really loved his Iris Quechee next to the water and those Cedar frames were amazing. As a result I'm using Iris Quechee as well as Pittosporum tobira (good substitute for blight-ridden Box) in the garden I'm currently designing.

I also loved Arne Maynard's romantic garden, Chris Beardshaw's woodland wonderland and of course Cleve's creation. I also must mention Diarmuid's pyramid. As showy as it was - I really felt he was addressing a growing problem for inner-city folk who don't have much space - i.e. balconies if they're lucky. Actually I loved all the gardens!!!

That Laurent Perrier garden is a total 'meditation' space isn't it! Lovely! I'm glad you liked Joe's garden, I was really surprised how good it was. The Iris was perfect. Did you also see the Cornus Mas trees? Apparently he is a fan of them which is interesting as I love mine! Art and gardening seem to go together so easily don't they? I think it would be great to see some of your drawings on here. I must say, I feel I use my garden as a living 'painting' space, although it doesn't tie together like a designer space would, I enjoy shapes and colours and the garden is continually evolving, which makes it so interesting. As the larger plants mature it changes the opportunities to grow other plants. It's totally unrecognisable now from what I first envisaged when I moved here six years ago! :) I suppose the other thing about being able to draw is you can produce really lovely creative garden plans that are a thing of beauty in themselves, and that must really 'grab' clients....

...oh, and your website could be really wonderful too if you use your art to enhance that....do you have a website Nicky? I should go now, stop my waffling, and have a look! :)

No, this is my website for now :-). I finished my RHS level 2 in June and have just been accepted on to the KLC garden design course at Hampton Court Palace in January. So by the end of December 2013 I'll be properly prepared. in the meantime, I thought I'd have a go at a second garden commission while I recover from a major foot op. Can't garden or hop without crutches at the mo. Thankfully this commission involves just paperwork and no dirt. I'll now stick up a couple of drawings for you Karen :-).....

:) off to look now Nicky! :) Good luck with the Hampton Court course...what a wonderful opportunity..I am positively envious! :)