The Power of Contrasts: a Cotswold Garden

Understanding the variety encompassed by the phase "English gardens" means fun adventures to explore formal gardens, cottage gardens, contemporary gardens and everything in between. It also means taking the road less traveled, visiting tiny suburban plots and wild hillside farms, historic estates and unassuming private gardens. As an English-born designer I'm always thrilled to share…

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Before & After: Slaying the Beast to Discover the Beauty

When a 20-year-old landscape became an overgrown, under-used eyesore, a local Sammamish couple called me in to help. The challenges were not insignificant. The Challenges A cute little deodar cedar, originally planted for privacy, had all but swallowed the garden. It was a beast! The raised beds for growing vegetables were no longer needed The…

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A Room with a Magical View

Arriving late afternoon at our AirBnb we were jet-lagged and weary having just flown from Seattle to Heathrow before then driving west for several hours. Yet, before I had even put the kettle on I grabbed my camera and dashed outside. The facade of this traditional Welsh farmhouse on the edge of the Brecon Beacons…

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A Fusion of Formal Design and Informal Abundance

Trebah is one of my favorite Cornish gardens and I've shared my previous visits on Facebook . The garden is perhaps best known for its breathtaking hydrangea valley, Gunnera Passage and a beautiful private beach which played a role in the preparation for the D-day landings, which explains why I included it in our recent…

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Caisson Gardens – a hidden gem

As our coach inched its way down the narrow country lane, the tall hedgerows of hawthorn and cow parsley on either side creating a leafy green tunnel, our sense of anticipation grew. When the coach could go no further, our adventurous tour guests hiked the last 0.2 miles on foot, before finally reaching the  driveway…

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