Design MASTERCLASS
Do things the Denmans way, with garden design ideas inspired by the late John Brookes
Plant as nature intended Take a close look at the positioning of plants next time you go for a walk. Try photographing your favourite planting in black and white: this will let you see its form and structure.
Use gravel At Denmans, the gravel is firm underfoot with a reassuring crunch. Consolidate the soil first with a roller, roll 10mm of pea shingle into the soil and finish with a loose 10mm layer. Think twice before using a weed-suppressing membrane if you want a natural self-seeded look. A quick brush with a sti broom every few weeks will flatten any footprints and knock away unwanted seedlings.
Create curves The flowing lines of Denmans’ pathways and lawns are dicult to recreate, but take inspiration from looking at the shape of natural streams from above. Using a hosepipe works well, since you can stand back and adjust the line until it is perfect.
Add bold topiary Brookes always stressed that it is important to have fun within a garden. Out of scale topiary can look brilliant and you don’t have to plant large expensive specimens. Are there existing shrubs that can be pruned into exciting and humorous shapes?
Up-prune! Breathe life into your overgrown shrubs. Start by slowly removing some of the lower branches to a height of roughly 50cm. Stand back and take more away if needed. Then begin to thin out what is left so that you end up with a tree-like formation of cleared branches with the dappled weight of the foliage above.