Samantha Willis Garden Design

Samantha Willis Garden Design

Garden inspiration for Easter

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Garden Inspiration for Easter

Spring brings us the odd warm day and with it of delicous scents when we walk around the garden and often from unsung heros.

Daphne Aumarginata

Spring flower from Daphne Aumarginata


These plants are our evergreen heros providing us colour throught the winter. Then in the Spring food for insects and lovely aromas.

Daphe aumarginata has small lovely pink flowers and a delicious perfumed scent. It is relatively easy to grow liking a sheltered spot. If you can plant it close to your house to enjoy the early Spring scent you’re in for a treat. The shrub grows to approx 1.5 tall by 1.5 wide.

The easiest daphne with the strongest, lily-like fragrance from blue-pink waxy flowers. One bush in afternoon sun will fragrance an entire area in late spring
Val Bourne – Garden Writer Thankyou Crosus for the quote and you can find them at Crocus too. Crocus

Osmanthus hetrophyllus is a large evergreen shrub with dark holly like leaves and tiny white flowers that have a heavently scent. I do have this one in my garden and enjoy picking the odd sprig for a vase.

Berberis darwinii can be a large shrub but is used as a hedging plant. It has tiny holly shaped dark green leaves, smaller that the Osmanthus and very prickly. It has clusters of tiny orange flowers. Be careful not to plant it near Spring flowering shrubs that can clash. Burncoose Nursery supplies this Burnoose Nursery

Looking for more garden inspiration in Oxford and surrounding counties please contact us

Plant of the Month

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Plant of the Month

There are a number of beautiful plants coming into flower in March removing the gloom from the winter days.

I love the Camellias, many areas in Oxford do not have the ericaceous soil for Camellias but you can still enjoy them in a pot. Northamptonshire has places of acidic soil and are therefore perfect for planting these plants.

Image of white flowering Camellia Shrub

Camellia japonica ‘Jovey Carlyon’

The Camellias come in all sorts of colours and sizes from single flowers to double blooms.
One I discovered the other day was Camellia japnoica ‘Jovey Carlyon’ with its double white flower. Burncoose nursery in Cornwall supplies this plant Burncose nursery

Camellia japnica ‘Adelina Patti’ is a stunning single flower with soft pink veined petals and framed with white edging. If you want to find out more about it have a look at Burncose Nusery Burncose nursery

Camellia williamsii hybrid Anticipation is a beautiful red double flower and whilst it can grow to 4m hight it is also good one for container planting Ashwood nurseries can supply this plant

Planting Camellias

When planting your Camellia it needs neutral to acidic soil remember to plant them in a sheltered position so late frosts don’t get the flowers.

They enjoy being in dappled shade with their roots kept damp. When not in flower their dark green glossy leaf adds an excellent backdrop to other shrubs in the garden border

If you’re going to plant them in a pot remember its ericaceous compost you need and then a regular feed to keep the soil neutral.

If you’re looking for a little more garden inspiration for your garden as summer approaches please call for an informal chat to discuss your garden design needs

Contact Contact 0771 858 6105

How Do I Find A Garden Designer

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How Do I Find A Garden Designer

Spring is nearly here and warmer days are approaching. With warmer days comes the desire to be outside in the garden.
If you’ve just moved into a new build house you are probably looking at a lawn and a fence or wall.

The lawn may seem a little daunting where do you start to create a garden. To a garden designer it’s a blank canvas, an opportunity to help you get the garden you want.

How Do You Find A Garden Designer

Look at their website, do you like their images.
Garden Designers all have styles whether is it a small courtyard garden or large country garden we have our stamp.
Have an informal meeting, do you like the designer? It is a partnership to achieve your garden.
Ask about the pricing structure of the garden designer
In some cases you may need a Landscaper not garden designer
Also some landscapers will deliver design services.

Look for a designer with history, with awards.

The Society of Garden designers can help you find a designer or the association of professional landscapers.Society of Garden Designers

I’m a garden designer in Deddington and work in the surounding areas; Adderbury, Bicester, Banbury, Chipping Norton, Woodstock and more.

If you’re looking for a garden designer in Oxfordshire please call. Contact 0771 858 6105 and lets create your garden to enjoy this summer.

Plant of the Month

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Plant of the Month

If your looking for garden inspiration try the Hellebore lenten. Aptly named the Lenten Rose as they flower round Easter time.
Now don’t go out and buy the Helleborus niger as that one actually flowers around Christmas time and if you were given one at Christmas go and plant it. It will be happy in the garden.

The Helleborus foetidus is one that is perfect for a woodland garden but pay attention to its name. It is not called foetidus because it smells gorgeous, it actually means ‘bad-smelling’. Some say the smell is a cabbage like smell, maybe not what you want close to your house.

Helleborus lenten
If you have a shady corner or semi shade this is the perfect location for your Hellebores. They come in all colours from white, pink to deep burgundy.
They are great for the pollinators as there are so few flowering plants at this time of year and as they are rich in nectar they are good for hungry bees.

You will find them in most nurseries near you and if not try Crocus

If you would ike some help with your border design in Oxfordshire please contact us.

New Build Garden Design Ideas

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New Build Garden Design Ideas

Spring is arriving and thoughts of sitting in the garden are getting closer. Your garden may not be that inspiring if it is a New Build.
The green lawn is not that interesting. How to make your garden more inspiring might seem daunting.

Take some time to look at the garden now and consider what you want.

What is the aspect of your garden. Where are the sunny locations in your garden. Remember plants like certain conditions choose plants to fit the location for example Lavender plants are not shade loving.

Designing your Garden Borders think about what colours you like, what will the plants look like in the winter.

Are you a chef and want herbs in the garden? If you want herbs that you might not find in your local garden centre try Jekka’s. A nursery that provides herbs, seeds and masterclasses

Is there a space you need for vegetables
Think about the quality of the soil if you’re having problems digging into the soil you’ll need raised beds. Don’t want those carrots growing all crooked!

The quality of your soil will probably be poor as must developers scrape off the topsoil and sell it. Gardeners World gives great details on how to improve your soil.

As a garden designer in Oxford serving surrounding counties from Henley to Cheltenham we can create your garden. If you need help designing borders for your garden please contact us

Red Roses

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Red Rose and Valentines

Roses are the flower symbolising love and perfect for Valentines Day.

Red Rose

Rose Black Baccara[

If you want a gift for a garden lover how about a Rose Bush. The Rose Black Baccara is a beautiful rose and a perfect style for Valentines. The deep maroon and the velvet petals are divine.

The picture is from a garden in Henley one dewy morning when our garden design was completed It really was looking gorgeous.

This rose is a beautiful Tea Rose and will do well in a pot or in the soil.

A word of warning it is bare root time so the rose will not be in flower or leaf now. However for a garden enthusiast this will be a fabulous gift and one that you’ll be remembered for every year. Try contacting
Harkness Roses

If you’re looking for garden inspiration from a garden designer near Oxford please contact us.

Garden Inspiration for a New Garden

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New House New Garden

Spring is coming and if you’ve got a new house your garden might be a bit bare. Do you need some garden inspiration? Spring is the perfect time for planning your garden.

If you need a little help for ideas I love this article from the RHS. RHS Inspiration

If you need some professional help contact Samantha Willis Garden Design. We’re based in Oxfordshire and provide border and garden design for all types of gardens from small courtyard gardens to large country houses.

Did you know that a garden design can increase the value of your property by on average 20%

Garden Design in Oxford

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Garden Design in Oxford

Turning an overgrown garden into a beautiful space in Oxford to enjoy with the children or simply sit out and dine.

This house was having an extensive redesign and extension by BLA-architects.

The garden was very overgrown with mature trees and shrubs that hadn’t been looked after in years. With our hoticultural knowledge we were able to identify shrubs and maintain many with correct pruning to ensure the garden kept its mature look, providing privacy and interest. We also included tree surveys as there were alot of mature trees in the garden that we needed to protect.

Working at the early stage of a project with the architect and builders was ideal.

We designed and landscaped the garden working with the architects and the clients every step of the way.

Garden Design in Henley

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Henley and Garden Design

Henley on Thames is one of the most beautiful towns in England dating as far back as 1179. With the Chiltern hills surrounding it and the river Thames flowing through it. It is full of character and interest, wonderful festivals and amazing shops.

I love the mixed architecture, the red brick and the granite. If you your looking for some garden inspiration What features do you have to that a garden designer can use?

Here we used the red brick and grantie in the wall as the garden path and the patio endge for the landscape. If you need some garden design ideas for your garden contact Samantha Willis garden design

Garden Path in Henley

Flint and Brick Garden Path in Henley

Garden Designer In Upper Heyford

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Garden Designer in Upper Heyford

Upper Heyford was an aircraft site as early as 1918 and then became the Royal Airforce site in 1928 for a little more history see the conservation resources. Whilst the airforce left long ago the area is being developed into beautiful housing estate with a village feel, the mature trees adding longevity and instant beauty to the area.

Heyford Park has some beautiful houses in the area to suite many lifestyles. If you want your garden created in Upper Heyford and youre not a garden designer yourself contact Samantha Willis. A true expert garden designer, she can bring live to new builds. We’ve worked on everything from small urban retreats to large country houses.

Small Courtyard Garden

Small Courtyard Garden Design ideas


Located on the outskirts of the Cotswolds, Banbury is a beautiful place to live and work. Whether you want a family garden, a garden to attract birds and wildlife, our garden designer listens closely to all your requirements to design the garden for you
https://conservation-resources.co.uk/pages/heyford-park-history

About

My love for gardening started with my Nan where she nurtured her Cornish garden often rising at 5 to set to before the heat of the summer… MORE

How does it work?

My practice is based in Oxford. I work with small professional teams to develop everything from the tiniest urban hideaway to large country gardens... MORE

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