Jayne Anthony

read moreI find that people often worry that plants won't grow in their soil. Don't! Whatever type of site you have whether it is dry, sunny, sandy, shady or damp etc, there will be a range of plants that will flourish there, it's just a matter of preparing the soil well and selecting the right plants for those conditions. Plants fall into the following categories and an interesting garden is one that uses a combination of all of the plant types below.

read moreOur experiences and attitude affect how we like the things around us to be and this is no different with a garden. You may want a garden to be a contemplative place to relax, or a vibrant area for outdoor parties. You may be inspired by the gardens of Italy or Japan and want to re-create a little piece of that outside your back door. Your garden is a part of who you are, so you should let your emotions do some of the work of deciding the style of the garden that you want. I have given some information about the most common styles to start your creative juices flowing.

read moreSo where do you start when you want to re-design or revitalize your garden? A good garden will come from a good design and careful planning, so don't be tempted to rush into this enterprise or get an idea built in a day. In fact, if you have just moved into a new property, it is worth living with the garden for a year to see what plants and bulbs are already there and to allow yourself time to experience the garden and establish how you naturally move around it. Whether you want to design the garden yourself or commission someone to design it for you, firstly you need to think about what you want to use the garden for, its function.

read moreAs well as the lawn, hard landscaping and planting, other elements can be added to provide interest and even an element of surprise. Three dimensional features in the garden can help to give a strong outline to the design, and can often make the garden more interesting in the Winter when shapes and forms become more dominant. Seating, sculpture or water features can be made into focal points that can transform a potentially dull corner into something much more interesting.

read moreYou may not want to have your whole garden designed, but may have beds and borders which need revitalizing. The Garden centres are full of interesting plants, but how do you know that the plant you like the look of will work in your soil conditions? Will it tolerate the shade under your tree, how big will it grow and does the colour work with the plants around it? If you want to create a new border or revitalize an old one but don't know where to start, or want to make sure you don't waste money on buying lots of plants that don't work in your garden, then why not let me help you.

read moreWhether you want to just sit and relax, or potter around tending to plants, gardens can make you feel good. Not only this, a well designed garden is a good investment, adding value to your property and making it more inviting to prospective buyers. The most difficult part of designing your own garden is often finding the ideas. You may know the sort of things that you want, maybe a reflecting pool, a new terrace, somewhere to sit in the shade, or some structural planting, but how do you put it all together to make a strong design where everything works in harmony and the garden looks good at any time of year?

read moreFrom graduating with a Biochemistry degree I started a career in management with a national food retailer, but after 17 years I realised that I wanted a change in direction more aligned to my aspirations. After qualifying for a Diploma in Garden Design with the KLC School of Design in London, I set up my practice in 2005 and now provide garden consultants, design and planting schemes for gardens, mainly in Bedfordshire, Hertfordshire and Buckinghamshire. I am a pre-registered member of the Society of Garden Designers, the professional association for garden designers in the UK, which means that the standard of design work I produce has been approved by the Society and I can work towards full registration.

read moreBefore re-training as a garden designer, I commuted to London for a long, tiring day in the city. What kept me sane was coming home to a garden. It did not matter that I did not have time to do everything in it I wanted to do, but to spend half an hour. Autumn is a wonderful time in the garden with the low sun lighting up leaves that are turning to stunning reds, oranges and buttery yellows. It is also a time when we start to think about tidying our gardens. People used to say 'putting the garden to.