yardz

OLD FASHIONED TRENDS

 

Astrantias

Having always been a firm favourite with flowers arrangers due to their unusual flowers, Astrantias have now found their way into the palette of top garden designers. Some of the Chelsea display gardens including the award winning Laurent Perrier garden, include some of the darker flowered varieties. These included Astrantia Claret and Astrantia Hadspen Blood which along with lighter flowered varieties are available at www.crocus.com

Astrantias are herbaceous perennials that die down in winter. They prefer full sun or semi-shade and like amoist soil. They are happy growing in containers and will flower from June to August.

BBQ EVA SOLO STYLE

 

Another really stylish product from the designer Eva Solo.

'Eva Solo Table Top Ceramic BBQ. Gather around this handy table grill so everyone can join in grilling their favourite food. The bowl is made of porcelain, while the grill, and the insert which hold the coals, are made of stainless steel. The BBQ is portable when cool and stands securely on a table guard when in use. After use the bowl, grill and insert can be put in the dishwasher. When not being used as a barbecue the porcelain bowl can be used for salads.'

Available from www.heals.co.uk  £175.00

http://www.heals.co.uk/BBQs/Eva-Solo-Table-Top-Ceramic-BBQ/invt/896349

OUTDOOR KITCHEN BY JOE COLOMBO

Saw this iconic mini-kitchan that can be used outside on Anne Roberts blog www.myurbangardendecoguide.com.

Looks just the thing us yard dwellers have been looking for!

http://www.myurbangardendecoguide.com/2009/05/iconic-mobile-outdoor-kitchen-by-joe-colombo.html

CONES WITH AN ACCENT ON COLOUR

 

The planting of my cone hanging baskets this year is a little more minimalist than it has been in the previous years. Last year was a very 'baroque' theme with a mixture of pinks, purples, blues and lime green.

I've used just Impatiens (bizzie lizzie) Accent salmon on its own which should give a massed effect of bright salmon pink flowers. Impatiens Accent flowers very early with really large flowers. It is available in a wide range of colours and will flower all summer in baskets, window boxes and containers.

A TOUCH OF SUN........

 

A touch of sun in the yard last weekend.

Blue skys and bright sun lit up the planting growing beneath the front of the deck. The luxuriant planting includes aquilegeas, chives, Lonicera nitida, box and mint. The reflecting metallic leaf is from a range from www.tinklingtoadstools.co.uk

STYLISH CHAIRS FOR A STYLISH GARDEN

 

The Witan Wisdom garden at last weeks Chelsea Show was stunning but also the furniture used was also stunning.

Bold, modern garden furniture from IOTA was showcased in The Witan Wisdom Garden at Chelsea Flower show 2009.    
 'The sculptural Sponeck Chair and matching tablewere chosen as furniture for the garden, from IOTA’s Boulavard range. Made from high-performance Fibre Reinforced Cement [FRC], the Sponeck Chair is a sinuous, folded form more commonly seen in furniture crafted from steam-bent plywood. The chair is both strong and comfortable, with its shape gently cradling the body. The material is a minimalist and architectural light grey colour, which looks striking against boldly-coloured cushions which are available in Anthracite, Red and Lemon Grass.'

http://commercial.iotagarden.com/news/78/Chelsea_Flower_Show_2009

A KITCHEN GARDEN WITH A DIFFERENCE

 

One of this years best small show gardens at Chelsea was Freshly Prepped by Patricia Fox that won a Silver Medal.

'A very contemporary version of a kitchen garden, somewhere to entertain, chill, grow and prepare food - but all within a new kind of space - an outdoor kitchen with a twist.'

The small garden is cleverly designed as a outdoor kitchen that has vegetables at arms reach. Salads and greens are planted in raised beds as well as a on a 'green wall' above the work surfaces. I am sure that this type of layout on an even smaller scale would be perfect as the core of a yard design

POTATOES IN CONTAINERS UPDATE

 

The warmer weather of the last few days combined with plentiful watering has seen tremendous growth on the potatoes in containers. They are standing next to a south west facing wall which acts as a storage heater taking in heat throughout the day and releasing it at night. The weather changed yesterday and we now have sunshine and showers which will suit them.

I must say the foliage is very attractive though they are begining to take over the small lower deck!

CHELSEA PITCHER PLANTS

 

Sarracenias, Pitcher Plants, are all the rage at Chelsea this year being used in several of the show gardens.

All sarracenias can be grown outside in most areas of Britain. They are carniverous pitcher plants that catch insects and will feed themselves when growing outside.

 

http://www.easycarnivores.co.uk/site/content/view/17/31/

A NEW TAKE ON HARDWOOD FURNITURE

 

The Corona Set from www.swanhattersley.co.uk breaks the trend from traditionally designed hardwood garden furniture. Wood furniture has in the last few years losts sales against granite and metal furniture due to the cost and the perception of the amount of upkeep required.

The set consists of a Corona Table with a bench and three stools. 'The thick timber sections of the Corona range are complemented by the elegant curve of the table edge, a truly unique set for the style conscious gardener'

www.tgfc.co.uk  £999.99