As London plans for a grand Garden Bridge across the Thames, we look at the garden landscape future on a slightly smaller, although not necessarily any less grand, scale. Ffion Llwyd-Jones talked to landscapers across the land about what they see as new trends and ideas for 2014.
Modern sculptures, water features, wildlife, furniture and lighting are all dominant elements in landscaping ideas for 2014/5. However, whether those are ‘trends’ or not is like asking which came first, the chicken or the egg. As Angelique Lawless Robb from Aberdeen-based Papillon Designs & Landscaping explains: “It’s hard to know if ‘trends’ are influenced by landscapers designing and building a certain ‘look’, which people then want to emulate – or whether people get the idea first, and then ask the landscapers to complete the idea.”
Whichever the case, it seems sleek, modern design is one look that’s increasingly popular in gardens across the UK. Angelique remarks that the majority of her clients ask for crisp lines and a modern design. “Only about one in twenty gardens are traditional or rustic; the big surge seems to be for more sleek, modern, smooth rendered designs,” she says.
That modern garden may also need constant maintenance, depending on the design, comments Claudia de Yong of
Claudia de Yong Garden Design,
based in London and West Sussex. “Many people like the idea of things such as a herb garden,” she says. “Trouble is, they then tend not to maintain it. The main issue is that it can take a lot of money and lots of maintenance to keep it up to the standard.”
“Vegetable and herb gardens are popular,” agrees Anthony, owner of Anthony Paul Landscape Design in Surrey. “However, people tend not to make full use of it,” he adds.
Ian Price, of Ian Price Landscape & Garden Design, which is based in County Antrim, Northern Ireland, takes a slightly different approach to the modern look. “You don’t want it to be ‘old hat’ next year. It needs to be made to last, be relevant and timeless – if it’s too much of the moment it won’t last,” he says.
“It’s almost a decluttered-garden look,” he explains of his take on modern design. “White-rendered walls, minimal with clean lines – it almost looks like there’s nothing to it. The design depends on cost, ease of maintenance and longevity – a bit like an efficient garden for the time-constricted gardener.”
Using traditional materials in modern ways is also becoming a popular design element, says Angelique. “Lots of natural stone, and trees such as the Scottish oak and larch, as were shown at the Scottish Home Show 2013. We also like create an unusual look – such as railway sleepers used upright among the plants. At the show, people were waiting to buy them off the stand.”
Claudia agrees that when people go to a show – such as the RHS Chelsea Flower show – they need to see beyond the basic design, and see the possibilities for adapting it for their own garden space. “It all depends on figuring out where to fit in the wildlife and water features,” she says. “Including the size and location of wildlife ponds.”
Anthony believes sculptures also contribute to a garden’ design. “I design from my studio based at the Hannah Peschar Sculpture Garden, run by my wife. We try to integrate sculpture into each design, and show clients how much a garden benefits from incorporating a piece of art and water feature,” he says.
Anthony adds that there is also increased design regard for using native plants, especially in water features, along with the types of materials used, and creating wildlife habitats.
“Native biodiversity is important,” he says. “Especially with water features, and bog garden/planting, we use native plants, and we’re always interested in using trees and plants that encourage wildlife.”
He adds that drainage is also important. “We look at permeable materials, such as decking, and build on sand rather than mortar/concrete. We’ve always respected the environment, and have been doing this for a couple of years now,” he says.
Anthony adds that as lighting products have improved, they are also an increasingly trend. “Low-output LED lighting has much less impact on wildlife.”
Also always aware of sustainability, Ian believes in ‘building it once, and building it for the long-term.” He hates to throw out plants, is always aware of the possibilities for recycling, and tries to incorporate elements that are ‘green’.
Papillon Designs & Landscaping
“Concrete isn’t ‘green’, but it can be sustainable,” he says. “Depending on the type of concrete, it can be partially recycled, and used as aggregate. I try to use whatever I have available. Onsite recycling can include using the ground for drainage, and plants for fill – because it costs more to take it out and then bring in new.”
He adds that cost is an important factor. “Bringing stuff in and taking it out is the most expensive part. It’s best to use whatever is in the garden if possible. The important thing is the relationship of space and key use.”
Angelique also enjoys using colour as decoration in her garden designs, whether with flowers or furniture. “I enjoy creating curves with walls and dykes,” she says. “And gabions are very underused, as they can be very decorative. Metal, slate, colourful fine furniture – it can all add interest, fashion and colour, even in Scottish gardens that may not get used as much as some of the ones in the warmer south.”
Ultimately, it seems that future landscape trends will continue to depend on clients’ lifestyles.
As Ian remarks, “I look at the kitchen in the house, because the kitchen is the single most expensive investment, and that tells me the level of style they’re going for. Basically, I then apply the same principles to outdoor space, dependent of course on money, product and plant availability – but the main thing is style. I set out the structure, and use specific plants, then the rest is decoration – better to redecorate the garden, rather than rebuild it.”
Perhaps, in looking at future gardens and landscaping trends, it would be wise to consider the words of Alice M. Coats: “It is apparent that no lifetime is long enough in which to explore the resources of a few square yards of ground.”
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