Oliver Borrow: Latest plants…
Garden Designer and horticulturalist Oliver Borrow takes a look at the different uses of plants from a designer’s point of view
Plants are my love and passion. I see them as a way to enhance spaces and evoke different atmospheres and concepts. I use them in the gardens I create alongside hard landscaping such as paving and decking to make special places that have interest all year round. Here are a few of the factors I consider when thinking about the planting in my designs.
Structure
It is important to put in the correct hard landscaping to form a backbone to your garden but the planting must also have structure to hold it together and keep interest throughout the seasons.
The Box hedging (Buxus sempervirens) in the picture (pictured) forms the traditional and somewhat nostalgic structure in this garden. Filled with herbaceous plants that come and go with bursts of vibrant colours; Box hedging takes pride of place in many of the most famous gardens, not just from the past but of the present day too. I have used it in gardens to create a very modern feel by laying it out in a non-traditional way.
Box is relatively easy to grow but it is quite slow growing. If you want something to form green shapes in the garden but are not prepared to wait then Lonicera pileata is a good substitute, it is faster growing and much more resilient to pests and diseases.
Colour
Few plants that we grow in our gardens in England produce such large and colourful flowers as the Dahlia. They come in hundreds of different varieties and colours and can produce giant, decorative flowers over 25cm across or miniature and dainty single flowers of less than 10cm.
Dahlias do need a bit of care but will give you big rewards in return. They grow from tubers which will need to be lifted in late autumn when the first frosts come, dried out and stored somewhere cool but not freezing. They will also benefit from good compost and feeding whilst in the ground.
Atmosphere
Plants can create different feelings and moods in your garden. Placing a seat in the dappled shade under a beautiful tree such as this Acer (pictured) will form a relaxing area for contemplation and reflection. Bright and vibrant plants set around a patio used for entertaining will help the party go with some added interest and form a talking point for your guests.
Fashion
Even plants go in and out of fashion. I make sure I attend the RHS Chelsea Flower Show every year to keep up-to-date with the different plants available and to see how other designers are using them in new and exciting ways.
One plant that has definitely been ‘in vogue’ for the past couple of years is the Allium (pictured). They form such striking and structured flowers (with only a few leaves to mess up your minimal and modern layout) and push up perfectly round globes of purples or blues (two colours which have also been fashionable recently).
If you would like Oliver Borrow to enhance your space using plants or hard materials then please visit the website www.oliverborrow.co.uk
