EXPERT VIEW
Given the seaside conditions of this garden – pure sand instead of soil, exposure to strong, salt-laden winds and the very low rainfall in our region – it was imperative to choose plants that could cope well and are adapted to these conditions.
I first looked at the native plants growing on the beach below and to see if I could use them in the garden, for example, Armeria maritima
(sea thrift), Silene maritima (sea campion) and Crambe maritima (sea kale). I knew that they would be low-maintenance survivors and would create the relaxed, beachy feel that Sophie and Nick were after.
Before deciding what to plant in your garden, it is always worth looking at which plants are thriving in your local area, as well as working out the type of soil you have, the amount of light/shade and issues such as drainage, strong winds and frost pockets that can affect how plants will grow.
As Sophie and Nick have a young family, I wanted to add a sense of play and movement by using grasses like Stipa tenuissima, Calamagrostis ‘Karl Foerster’ and
Stipa gigantea, along with droughttolerant and nectar-rich plants like achillea, lavender and Verbena bonariensis to bring colour and wildlife into the garden.
When I design gardens, I consider the environmental impact of the landscaping. Why not take a look at the materials being used in your local area and use them as the starting point for your own garden? For example, depending on the region you live in you can find limestone, sandstone, slate, granite, or you could also look out for reclaimed stone so it gets a second lease of life. In this garden, I opted for locally quarried pebbles and stones to echo the beach below.
See more of Sue’s work at suetownsendgardendesign.co.uk