A CUT ABOVE

Elly West explains the exponential benefits to dedicating part of your garden to growing cut flowers...

There aren’t many people who don’t enjoy a vase of fresh flowers providing colour, fragrance and a slice of summer. One of the many joys of this time of year is the opportunity to pick armfuls of flowers to brighten up the home. These ‘free’ pickings are so much more satisfying than choosing a bunch of often imported, over-priced blooms wrapped in cellophane from the supermarket. A visit to any allotment site is proof in point. Alongside the rows of beans and potatoes, there will be multitudes of blowsy dahlias, sunflowers, sweet peas and more, grown for cutting.

The concept of growing flowers amongst the vegetables is nothing new. Traditional cottage gardens from the 18th century onwards used every inch of space to grow flowers, food crops, fruits and herbs, all jostling for space in a happy medley of colour. The emphasis was on practicality and space was at a premium in terms of providing sustenance to support a family. These were essentially gardens of self-sufficiency for the rural poor.

But it’s a romantic ideal that persists today. Many of my clients asking for a new garden design aspire to the cottage garden, albeit a modern version –an informal, apparently artless style, with traditional planting that includes roses, lavender, foxgloves and peonies. Borders can include space for cutting material, but I’ve also found more and more clients are asking for areas that can specifically be used to grow flowers for cutting, often in raised beds or tucked away with the produce, and I’m always happy to oblige.

If you have the space, there are big advantages to dedicating part of your garden just to growing cut flowers. You’ll avoid depleting your flower beds, and you don’t need to think too hard about what will go well with what in terms of shapes, colours and sizes. Treat your flower patch like you would a vegetable plot and plant or sow in rows or blocks. Taller plants will need support, and if you’re not worried about the appearance of the bed, simple canes and string will probably suffice to stop plants flopping.

Choose a spot that gets plenty of sun, and improve the soil if necessary so that it’s fertile and weed free. Organic compost or well-rotted horse manure will improve the structure and help to retain moisture. Raised beds are a good option as you can fill them with quality topsoil improved with organic matter, and they’re easy to maintain.

When choosing plants to grow, there aren’t really any limits. Evergreen shrubs and those grown for their interesting stems, such as corkscrew hazel and colourful dogwood, will provide invaluable pickings in winter and early spring. Pittosporum and Eucalyptus

gunnii produce ornamental foliage all year round. Bulbs will also extend the season with daffodils, hyacinths and tulips in spring, followed by lilies, crocosmias, gladioli and dahlias through summer and into autumn.

The bulk of your cutting garden though, is likely to be annuals sown from seed. These require the least financial outlay and many can be sown directly into the soil where you want them to flower. Look out for those labelled as ‘hardy annuals’, which include sunflowers, nigella, cornflowers, poppies, marigolds and sweet peas. ‘Half-hardy annuals’ require a little more work as they’ll need starting off under cover in early spring in a greenhouse or on a sunny window-sill. Nicotiana, cosmos, snapdragons, phlox and zinnias fall into this category. Then there are perennials that die back in winter and re-emerge in spring each year, such as peonies, delphiniums, aquilegia, echinops and asters.

Take time to plan, and you can have constant colour to bring indoors for the best part of a year. Maximise your space by taking the time to work out how many plants you can squeeze into each row or block. Successional sowings of seed, planting every two or three weeks, will keep the flowers coming, and cutting your flowers will also keep them producing more and more blooms. Never leave dead flowers on the plants as this will halt their flower production and they’ll shut down for the season as they turn to seed. Dead flowers will also attract pests and diseases, so cutting also increases the health of your plot. It’s a win-win situation.

When harvesting your flowers, you can increase their vase life by taking them in the morning or evening and avoiding the heat of the day. Have a clean bucket of cool water ready to put them in. Cut the flower stems at an angle to increase the water uptake. Put your flowers in a cool shaded place until you’re ready to arrange them, and keep the water topped up once they are indoors. A tablespoon of sugar added will also make your flowers last longer, while a spoonful of white wine vinegar will inhibit bacteria growth and help stop the water turning green. Change the water regularly and recut the stems each time. n

• ellyswellies.co.uk

Plant of the month: Dahlias

These showy, exuberant flowers have had a relatively recent resurgence in popularity, and will light up the late-summer border. They are perfect for cutting, with flowers in all different colours, sizes and shapes held on long stems. The more you cut them, the more flowers they’ll produce. Many have a hot, tropical vibe that combines well with lush foliage plants such as cannas and ornamental grasses. They’ll also look great alongside other late-flowering, daisy-headed blooms such as rudbeckias and heleniums. Dahlias grow from bulb-like structures known as tubers that are not fully hardy, so will generally need lifting and storing over winter to protect them from frost, unless they are in a very sheltered position. They can then be potted back up in April and planted back out in the ground in May when no more frosts are forecast. Most prefer rich, well-drained soil in full sun, but the more compact varieties are also well suited to pots, which can then be placed in a greenhouse over winter.

Skirting around

Rupert Oliver of Rupert Oliver Property Agents looks back at the history of skirting boards, dadoes and picture rails and explains how to accentuate these features in our homes today...

Queen Victoria came to the throne in 1837 and her reign of 63 years encompassed the tail end of Georgian building styles right through to the advent of the Arts and Crafts Movement. Census data shows that between 1831 and 1901, the year of Victoria’s death, the number of people living in England and Wales grew from 13.89 million to 32.51 million, a rise of 134 per cent. This naturally saw the volume of housing grow dramatically, including an increasing number of high terraces.

The proportions, ornamentation and detailing of these homes is now a big part of their modern appeal. Even the most modest terraces came with elaborate ceiling roses and moulded cornices as well as embellished cast iron or marble fireplaces. The era also saw the widespread adoption of skirting boards, dadoes and picture rails. In the 1950s and 60s these features were seen by many as old-fashioned and were ripped out or partitioned off, but lovers of modern Victorian homes now see these architectural elements as essential in order to follow the design perspectives of the era, and maintain the period balance of a room.

So where did the standard use of wall divisions introduced in the Victorian era – skirting, dadoes and picture rails – come from? Well there were both practical and aesthetic reasons. At that time walls were made from bricks, heat insulation was not effective, rising damp was a constant problem and many couldn’t afford a radiator. It’s also true that plaster finishes at the base of walls were often poorly finished, and they needed covering up. The skirting board helped deal with these issues.

A skirting board also helped to make a large house look grander, with some skirtings achieving a height of 30cm plus, which would make high ceilings more obvious. Smaller houses, however, could not take such height and so smaller wooden skirting took its place.

The dado rail is a section of architrave that sits about 90cm from the floor, although they can be lower or higher, in proportion to the ceiling height. Dado rails are used throughout halls, landings and stairs, reception rooms and sometimes in kitchens and bathrooms. The word ‘dado’ is drawn from the die (also known as a dado) in classical architecture, which sits above the base of a pedestal. During the Georgian period it was standard for dining chairs to be leant up against the walls, and the dado rails protected the décor – such as wallhangings or wallpaper – from damage by the chair backs. In the Victorian era, these rails began to disappear, but returned at the beginning of the 20th century as a decorative statement.

The picture rail, which had in fact been around since the 15th century, has a more obvious practical application, enabling the hanging of pictures from a moveable hook that didn’t damage the wall surface. The plain fact was that banging a metal nail into a plaster wall in the Victorian period (and before) was likely to have damaged the wall. Introduced as a standard feature around the 1840s, the metal hooks suspended over the rails created a display area above the dado rail. The wooden trim made from architrave generally frames the top 30cm of wall. The picture rail also supported the trend of buying pictures as the newly affluent demonstrated their buying power and immaculate taste by covering the walls with paintings, mirrors, and plates using picture rails. In terms of the perception of a room a picture rail also serves to balance out the height of the ceiling to give a room a better sense of proportion.

Skirting boards have survived as a standard feature and have become an essential part of designing a room, no matter what the period of a house. Dadoes and picture rails are no longer used as a default, but are often seen in authentic Georgian and Victorian properties where they honour the period charm and proportions of a room.

So how should we deal with these decorative elements in the modern period home? During the early 18th century, the panelled walls and the dado rail were often painted in one colour, increasing the perceived size of a room, and many modern designers use this technique of painting a wall from skirting to the cornice below the ceiling in the same colour. During the Victorian era, the frieze area between rail and ceiling would get decorative embellishment, but nowadays we tend prefer more streamlined, unfussy decoration.

So when decorating, pay attention to the linear decorative elements in a room, which can have a massive impact on the way that the room is perceived and as the box here outlines, they can be decorated in a number of ways to fit with your own design scheme.

• rupertoliver.co.uk; 14 Waterloo Street, Clifton, Bristol, BS8 4BT

Top tips:

• Gowhiteabove: Paint both the picture rail and the space above it in the same colour as the ceiling. This highlights the architectural feature, and brings the ceiling height down visually. • Usecontrast: Draw attention to dado or picture rails by painting them a contrasting colour to the walls. • Godark: An effective modern statement in a period house (while keeping the original features intact) is to paint an entire wall, including the picture or dado rail, skirting board a dark, atmospheric tone. • Sticktooneshade: Painting a picture rail the same colour as the walls above and below allows the rail to add subtle detail without making it stand out too much.

FANTASTIC COMMERCIAL INVESTMENT OPPORTUNITY WITH FUTURE DEVELOPMENT POTENTIAL

Boreham Mill is nestled within the Wiltshire countryside with stunning rural views and a river frontage setting. The property is situated within close proximity to the thriving market town of Warminster, approximately 35 minutes from Bath, 45 minutes from Salisbury and the M4 Motorway, and within 1 hour of Bristol. The property comprises a beautiful former mill dating back to 1866 which is currently fitted out to provide approximately 7,810 sq ft of office accomodation over four floors. The property is set within a site of approximately 0.4 Acres with a large parking area for 22 cars and gardens fronting onto the river Wylye. The property is fully let to Wessex College Ltd under two separate effectively full repairing and insuring leases by way of a service charge. Full details of the lease agreements can be provided upon request. The property has the potential for future redevelopment and could suit residential or hospitality uses, subject to the necessary planning consents. 7-8 acres of adjacent grazing land and fishing rights can be made available by separate negotiation. Price available on application.

For further information or to arrange a viewing, please contact Charlie Kershaw 0117 934 9977 / Charlie@burstoncook.co.uk

DUE TO RELOCATION

25 St John’s Road, Clifton, BS8 2HD FREEHOLD FOR SALE (MAY LET) A fine, period property with front and rear gardens comprising approximately 4,500 sq ft GIA.

Currently a language school but could suit a range of uses to include offices, day nursery, consulting rooms, medical uses, and various other commercial uses STP.

Quayside, BS8 TO LET - POA 2,375 sq ft An open plan, newly refurbished office suite in a waterfront location benefitting stunning views across Bristol Harbourside. On-site shower, secure car parking and bike storage.

WESTFIELD PARK, BS21 FOR SALE £160,000+VAT 997 SQ FT

A first-floor office within an established business park on the outskirts of Clevedon, being within approx. 2 miles of J20 of the M5. The suite benefits air conditioning and car parking.

Backwell, North Somerset FOR SALE – POA

Stunning Georgian property set in 15 acres of parkland. Currently a luxury country hotel with the ability to substantially increase the number of bedrooms or could be adapted to create a superb family home. EDEN OFFICE PARK, BS20 2,777 SQ FT - TO LET – POA

A high quality, self-contained office building within an attractive business park. Eden Lodge benefits generous car parking and is strategically located between Clifton and the M5 Motorway.

CUMBERLAND ROAD, BS1 TO LET £17.50 PSF PAX 593 – 2,303 SQ FT An impressive HQ office building which is due to be refurbished throughout to a contemporary standard. The site benefits secure bike storage, showers, and courtyard garden.

Number One Bristol, BS1 TO LET - POA 743 sq ft Only one suite remaining! Newly refurbished and benefiting a/c, LED lighting and parking, and which forms part of the prestigious Number One Bristol development. Could suit a range of uses (STP).

Rennison’s Yard, BS6 FOR SALE – Separately or combined - POA

A unique opportunity to purchase within this thriving new development. There are 6 commercial units available totaling approx. 3,000 sq ft, which can be purchased separately or combined. Sheene Road, BS3 TO LET – POA 3,758 sq ft The accommodation comprises well-presented first floor offices with air conditioning. There is excellent on-site car parking, and the property is situated within 1 mile of Temple Meads Station.

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REDLAND OIEO £1,300,000 CENTRAL

GUIDE PRICE £295,000

A detached family house set well back, with driveway and mature front garden and substantial rear gardens, an extensive interior, with additional self-contained annex. Excellent location for Cotham Park and Redland schools, Redland Railway Station through to Bristol Temple Meads. Highly recommend appointment to view. An exceptional 5th floor apartment with south facing balcony. One double bedroom, bathroom, open plan kitchen/living/dining room. Situated in the heart of the city with its cafes, restaurants, pubs, shops, theaters and the harbour side on your doorstep. Close to Temple Meads and Cabot Circus. Viewing highly recommended.

COTHAM

GUIDE PRICE £599,000 CLIFTON

GUIDE PRICE £1,500,000

An exquisite three-bedroom garden flat offers an extensive interior. Spacious kitchen/dining room and sitting room with bay window. Private front garden and allocated off street parking space. Ample storage space, utility, bathroom, and en-suite. Superb central location on the boarder of Clifton, Redland & Cotham. No onward chain. Viewing comes highly recommend. Of interest to investors and speculators. A Grade II listed period building comprising of 5 X flats (4 X 1 Bedroom and 1 X 2 Bedroom). All five flats are currently let each with a six-month shorthold tenancy agreement. Details of current rents are available upon request. Prime Clifton location. Extensive Communal Gardens to the front and rear of the terrace. Basement, balcony, and Courtyard Gardens.

Clifton, Bristol | Guide Price £1,695,000

An effortlessly grand and elegant Grade II Listed townhouse with income generating self-contained accommodation, a south facing balcony and a private rear garden.

Stunning Grade II Listed family home | Beautifully refurbished by the current owners | Superb retained period features throughout | Fabulous full-depth open plan kitchen, breakfast and dining room | Full-depth first floor drawing and sitting room with south facing balcony and stunning views | “Whole of floor” luxury master bedroom suite | Three further double bedrooms and family bathroom | Lower ground floor self-contained one-bedroom flat | Versatile cellar and further vaulted storage | Deep rear gardens with private lane access | Clifton Village residents parking permit

In all circa 3300 sq. ft (306.5 sq. m)