Samantha Willis Garden Design

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Tree Planting

January 12, 2022 by Samantha Willis

The benefits of planting trees and trees for gardens

The Benefits

Trees help to combat global warming by absorbing carbon dioxide, removing and storing carbon while releasing oxygen back into the air.
They provide us with welcome shade from the sun and shelter from the rain.
Trees provide shelter for wildlife for birds, mammals, butterflies, moths and insects

Trees for Gardens
There are trees for every garden and it’s worth taking some time to explore the right tree for the right space go and ask you’re local nursery for some advice.
The Prunus amanogawa – this is a small upright cherry that is perfect for a small garden. Birds can happily come and sit on the branches, you can admire the beautiful pink blossoms and the autumn colour. This tree will not dominate your garden in years to come if you’re lacking space.
Pryus chanticleer – is an upright tree and is an ornamental pear with lovely white blossoms in the Spring. It holds it’s shape well and can be used for a medium sized garden
Amelanchier lamerckii – is one of my favourites and I have this in my garden. It has lovely white blossoms, black berries that are unseen but the birds suddenly come in June and amazing autumn colour. For a garden with limited space this is a lovely tree to possess.
The Magnolia x soulangeana is a beautiful tree with it’s saucer shaped large blooms in the Spring but this tree will grow so find a spot that will enable it to come to its full glory

When considering a tree

When thinking about what tree you’d like in your garden consider. Do you want it to keep it’s leave in the winter? Do you want flowers or fruit? Are you hoping to attract wildlife?

Good luck

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World of Interiors and The Great Outdoors

December 2, 2019 by Samantha Willis

The World of Interiors provided inspiration for gardens in their September Issue. The winter months is the perfect opportunity to plan your garden with a garden designer for the Spring and Summer planting. There are a number of companies seen in the September World of Interiors Magazine providing inspiration for the Great Outdoors including myself for Garden Design.

The Outdoors
I designed this garden from a building site. I worked with the Client on designs in October and landscaped the garden in April. This particular garden had a house with large windows that looked over the garden and beyond to a golf course so the open vista creates the illusion of an extended garden.

The garden has the benefit of views that really open up to the great outdoors and we took advantage of that in the garden design. The garden also features some ponds that are able to capture reflections the clouds above.

Garden Design
So if you’re looking for inspiration for the The Great Outdoors please don’t hesitate to call 0771 858 6105 to create your Great Outdoors.

World of Interiors and the Great Outdoors

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Spring Flowering Bulbs

September 7, 2019 by Samantha Willis

Spring Flowering Bulbs

Catalogues have been dropping on my doorstep for a few months now and I’ve been enjoying browsing the options. If you haven’t yet ordered your Spring flowering bulbs get on with it, planting bulbs is between October and November. Bulbs need the nice cold weather to get them started.

Bulbs in winter
It is the cold winter that is needed to stimulate stem growth, a temperature of 10c or below is required. Ideally these bulbs need at least 10 weeks.

Planting your Spring Flowering Bulbs
Follow the instructions on the package for your bulbs for planting but the majority of bulbs need 3 times the depth of the bulb for planting. I often plant my bulbs in amongst the herbaceous border then when the flowers have died back the new herbaceous growth hides the leaves.

This is a great trick for the big Alliums as their leaves are ungainly when they are in flower.

One of my favourite little Spring flowering bulbs is Scilla siberica, this dainty bulb produces a lovely blue flower that reaches 10cms high or if you prefer you can have the the Scilla siberica Alba for a white flower head. I also always have a Galanthus nivalis (Snowdrop) in my garden, it’s always a pleasure to see them.

J Parkers and Sarah Raven for lots of inspiration

A company have know for years is Fentongollan Flower Farm in Cornwall, fondly known as the Fentongollan finishing school for those of us that wanted summer jobs. Many of us spent a convivial summer on the flower farm in the bulb sorting and packaging sheds. After a few weeks we were all able to identify different daffodil bulbs.

So enjoy the catalogue trawl, the planting and then sit back and enjoy the winter waiting for your Spring Flowers.

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How to protect your plants in the snow and frosts

February 1, 2019 by Samantha Willis

Lavender in frost

How to protect your plants in the snow and frosts

Today it’s white outside, yesterday was -5.5 in Oxfordshire at 6am. I took some pictures of lavenders with crystals on their branches.

Frosts
Frosts can harm plants and the more Mediterranean plants are not terribly keen on frosts but they do survive, although you may loose some. If you’re particularly worried cover them with horticultural fleece this can be found in most nurseries. There are also pull over jackets that you can use on your Olive Trees and Bay Trees.

The biggest problem with frosts is plants in pots as these plants roots are above ground and will also be freezing, they are not able to snuggle their toes into the earth and carry on snoozing until the warmer weather. So wrap up your pots, bubble wrap and hessian are a great way to add a little protection to you plants roots.

Snow
So today we have the added interest of snow. Whilst the first flush of snow is beautiful you may notice your evergreen trees and shrubs and bowing with the weight of the plants. As the branches will be frozen and brittle give them a hand and remove some of the snow. Simply wrap up warm and go out with a broom and just gently shake off the snow. The plants will leap back into shape unburdened from the snow and you wont get any disappointing snaps from a beloved shrub or tree.

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Garden Sculpture for Ponds

February 1, 2019 by Samantha Willis

Garden Sculptures for the Garden

Choosing the right garden sculpture for your pond or water feature.

There are a number of things to consider before you purchase your garden sculpture for your water feature for instance too big and it can dominate the garden, too small and it’s lost.

Another important feature is the aspect as this can also have an impact on your water feature. You’ll need a large pond for a garden sculpture with a large fountain to ensure you don’t get a soaking on a windy day. We all know it’s fun to watch our children running through water fountains on hot sunny days but this is possibly not the gauntlet you want to run each day in your own garden.

Sound of Water in the Garden

Sound is very important too you need to consider what you are trying to achieve with your garden sculpture. Do you want to hide the sound of traffic or aeroplanes above? It doesn’t take much to muffle sounds or rather distract the hear with an alternative sound. If the water dances into a pool it will make music to the ear.

In this particular garden the Client wanted a garden sculpture that they could enjoy from all angles naturally around the garden and also from the house. We chose copper as we wanted to reflect on a sculpture the client had had in a previous garden.

Plants in my pond

Do you want plants in your pond? If so what type as this will also impact the type of garden sculpture you choose as there are plants that don’t like to be disturbed by too much moving water such as the Water Lily.

The garden sculpture was commissioned from Gary Pickles

Gary Pickles Metallic Garden blog

Water Feature

Copper Water Feature

The morning glory sculpture is delightful as it catches the sunlight and it is a pleasure to sit by the pond and watch the water delicately tumbling from the flowers and leaves.

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Plant of the Month

May 28, 2018 by Samantha Willis

A plant of the Month
As a garden designer ensuring a garden has all year round interest so important. One shrub that is one of my plants of the month for a country garden is the Philadelphus. The ones I have in my garden are just coming into blossom. I know I’m in for a treat for the next few months.

The Philadelphus comes in many varities and if you have the space for one to grow I would strongly recommend ‘Virginal’ this will grow to 2.5m high smothered in double pure white flowers in June and July. When you catch the white flowers on a hot summers day gleam with a freshness against an azure blue sky it is something to behold. Not only that but the plant has a beautiful orange scent, hence the name Mock Orange.

If you are lacking in space the Philadelphus ‘Belle Etoile’ has a single flower with a great scent and only reaches 1.2m in height or even smaller is the ‘Manteau d’Hermine which reaches .75m in height. I have one that has a clipped box hedge in front of it, the dark leaf of the box contrasts with the fresh vibrant leaf of the Philadelphus. If you’re looking for a bit of interest later in the year you can plant a later flowering Clematis such as Taylors Clematis Margaret Hunt can then twist and curl over the shrub giving an extra interest to the garden.

Aspect
The Philadelphus likes sun or partial shade

Nurseries
This is a plant that is easily sourced from nurseries, I’m sure your local nursery will have a Philadelphus for your needs but if not try Crocus

If you’re looking for all year round interest in your garden and need some inspiration contact Samantha Willis Garden Designer in Oxford

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RHS Chelsea

May 22, 2018 by Samantha Willis

Chelsea Flower Show May 2018

This year was another inspiring year for people and Garden Designers.  As a Garden Designer in Oxford I was impressed by the amazing diversity of gardens this year which was thoroughly enjoyable. Equally the flowers in the gardens this year were a great selection of plants and pallets.

VTP Capital Garden

I would not normally like a concrete garden and it is not often required for garden designers in Oxford but smooth concrete was greatly admired in the VTB Capital Garden – Spirit of Cornwall. Whilst not a traditional garden for this time of year with the Rhododendrons and Magnollias or even granite it did portray Cornwall.  As a Cornish person I was quizzed by my friends before I knew the story of the garden as to it’s location and I did guess correctly.

The lush sub tropical planting is an element of Cornwall and it was depicting the Hepworth Garden.  The metal path leading from one concrete seating platform to the pavilion was inspired and reflects the sound wave of music.  This was a beautiful garden where less certainly is more.

Skin Deep

I also loved Skin Deep Garden.  Each concrete block was designed to represent people with various skin conditions.  The more you looked at the blocks the more you noticed different textures, with the added influence of the sun and the shadows of the plants dancing on the blocks this garden was a constant source of wonder.  Whilst quite structured this garden was surprisingly relaxing, inviting you to sit on the blocks and enjoy the plants that were billowing around the blocks.  But there is no sitting in the gardens at Chelsea no matter how inviting.  So well cone Robert Barker for the design.

Garden Designer in Oxford

If you too are inspired for Chelsea and need a little help from a garden designer in Oxford please don’t hesitate to give me a call Samantha Willis 0771 858 6105

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Beth Chatto

May 16, 2018 by Samantha Willis

Beth Chatto – someone I admired

It is with great sadness that I heard that Beth Chatto has passed away.  She was an incredible lady, an inspiration to many garden designers.  I myself have her book The Shade Garden and also the Dry Garden. My books are  greatly thumbed through, a must have for garden designers.

I had the pleasure of walking around one of Beth Chatto’s  show gardens.  It was designed to demonstate a low water usage garden for The Prince of Wales Start Garden Party in 2010, encouraging sustainability.  It was an enormous treat for me to walk around such an inspiring garden.

I also treasure a hand written note I received form Beth Chatto.  She encouraged us garden designers and plant enthusiasts.

I have not made it to Beth Chatto’s gardens yet but as a garden designer in Oxford I have to make the journey.  I recently purchased some plants from the nursery to add to the shade garden I created recently so if you are looking for inspiration go to their nursery and plant something to remember a great lady of horticulture.

 

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Peony Plants in your Garden Design

May 8, 2018 by Samantha Willis

Peony Plants in your Garden 

Peony lactiflora ‘Boule de Neige’

A Peony is a great plant for the garden it is happy in sun and semi shade.  I cannot exclude a Peony from my garden. I know people say that they don’t flower for very long six to eight weeks but they are worth it.  Once the flower has passed away I also enjoy it’s leaf structure in garden. They work well in cottage style garden design or equally planted en mass in a more formal garden design.

As a perennial plant the Peony lies dormant in the ground over winter but the moment the Peony starts to show it’s lovely red leaf stems in the garden in Spring they provide excitement.  Now the leaves have turned green and the buds are fattening up and promising a show.

 

Which Double Peonies in a Garden Design

Paeonia lactiflora was originally brought to Europe in mid 18th century and it’s from this first white cultivar that the other varieties have been cultivated.  I like the double petalled ones who’s stamens also look like petals.  Paeonia lactiflora ‘Boule de Neige’, has large broad white flowers growing to about 100cm while ‘Duchesse de Nemours’ is a double white that grows to 80cm and has been awarded an RHS AGM.  These white ones look fantastic in a border that has dappled shade.

 

The Paeonia lactiflora ‘Sarah Bernhardt’ is a soft double pink.  However if you’re looking for something a bit more vibrant Peonia lactiflora ‘Karl Rosenfield’ has beautiful crimson red flowers giving a fantastic splash of colour.  If there is one  wow factor Peony plant it has to be Paeonia lactiflora ‘Bowl of Beauty’.  This one makes you stop and stare, it a double with bright pink petals with a creamy centre.  Whilst it might not suit everyone’s garden I do love to see it as it’s confident showmanship, it makes me smile.

Nurseries for Peonies

Kelways nursery is one of the oldest nurseries growing Peonies for over 100years

Kelways Plants Ltd

Picts Hill, Langport, Somerset TA10 9EZ

Telephone:01458 250 521

Email:sales@kelways.co.uk

I’m sure you’re local nurseries will also sell them.

 

If you’re looking for a garden design around Oxford, don’t hesitate to give Samantha Willis 0771 858 6105

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Honesty for a Cottage Garden Design

May 5, 2018 by Samantha Willis

Prepared by Samantha Willis garden designer near Chipping Norton.

The first signs of summer are here, birds are singing their hearts out and I’m looking at my vase of Honesty ‘Lunnaria annua’ picked on a walk this week.  The result of a seed that escaped the confines of a garden. ‘Lunnaria annua’ is a lovely plant that should be considered for a cottage garden design .   It has a lovely purple flower with white in the center and deep purple veins glowing to the outer petal. Unfortunately it has no smell but this doesn’t deter the insect’s interest.

I have the Lunnaria ‘Alba Variegata’ which has a white flower and variegated leaves, it’s something I inherited in my garden and I’m always delighted when it starts glowing in it slightly shady spot, enticing me out into the garden.

If you want something a little more dramatic there is Lunnaria ‘Chedglow’ which has a dark purple flower and a dark purple leaf.

Bi-annuals
These plants are bi-annuals, so after 2 years they will die once they’ve flowered.  So you can either collect and propagate their seeds and plant them where you want them or let them self seed around your garden. This year I have some appearing along my path. The beautiful round paper thin silvery seed heads follow and add extra interest to the garden in the winter.

Perennials in your Garden Design
If you’d rather have something a little more permanent for your garden design there is the lovely perennial Lunnaria rediviva.  This flowers from May right through to July and does have a lovely scent. As a perennial this will die back each winter but reappear where you planted it. You can purchase these on line either as seeds or plants through various specialist plant nurseries.

If you need help with your garden design in Chipping Norton or around Oxford  please don’t hesitate to contact me

Nursery suppliers
The Beth Chatto Gardens Ltd, Elmstead Market, Colchester, Essex CO7 7DB (01206 822007).

Special Plants, Greenways Lane, Cold Ashton, Chippenham, Wiltshire UK
SN14 8LA (01225) 891686

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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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