CREATING A DRY GARDEN Expert advice on how to design a Mediterranean-style plot

CREATING A DRY GARDEN

THIS ON-TREND DESIGN APPROACH IS BOTH LOW-MAINTENANCE AND ECO-FRIENDLY. HERE, LEADING EXPERTS SHARE THEIR KNOW-HOW

A dry garden is easy to construct, and it looks good and requires little maintenance. You’ll want to choose plants that occur naturally together in hot, dry regions, so that you can be confident they’ll look right in your garden. ‘Broadly speaking, they are the more short-lived species, so embrace this,’ says garden designer Jane Brockbank. ‘Have fun with annuals and self-seeders.’ As for the eco benefits, these include less watering, feeding, weeding and mowing. A dry garden also provides a long season of nectar-rich flowers, beneficial to a vast range of insects. ‘It creates an ecosystem that encourages biodiversity,’ says garden designer James Basson.

PLANNING YOUR PROJECT ‘Analyse

your plot,’ says garden designer Tom Hoblyn. ‘What’s the annual rainfall? What type of soil do you have? How much sun does it get? Try to work with what you’ve got rather than making drastic changes.’ Pick plants that are suited to your garden’s conditions. ‘Observe where the sunlight falls as it can help you decide where to place certain plants, such as grasses, which look fabulous backlit by the sun,’ adds designer Sue Townsend.

CHOOSING PLANTS Emphasis should be on contrasting shapes and textures, rather than flower colour. Repetition of shape or form creates a rhythm and guides the eye through the garden. ‘Start with a backbone of shrubs for year-round structure and select trees that won’t cast dense shade,’ says Åsa Gregers-Warg, head gardener at Beth Chatto’s Plants & Gardens. For softness, plant ornamental grasses like Stipa gigantea and Stipa tenuissima and let ground-cover plants, such as thyme and Stachys byzantina, weave in between the taller plants.

Aim for a mix of longer-lived species for structure and shorter-lived perennials and annuals. Grow them ‘lean’ without enriching the soil and water sparingly once plants are established. Then leave them to their own devices. ‘If you’re planting into deep gravel, make sure the roots get contact with the subsoil,’ says Tom Hoblyn. ‘Ideally plant in autumn or spring to allow plants to establish well,’ adds Sue Townsend.

WHAT ABOUT SITE SUITABILITY?

Sloping sites need to be terraced if you want to use gravel, and fairly open and sunny, although some shade can work well to expand the range of plants. ‘I have successfully made gravel gardens in urban areas where there is the inevitable mixture of sun and shade,’ says Jane Brockbank. ‘You need a small amount of plants that can tolerate both aspects and repeat them to bring the scheme all together.’ Work with your site not against it. ‘The site must be free-draining, so avoid or improve areas where water naturally sits, in particular, clay soils,’ adds Tom Hoblyn.

AND LANDSCAPING MATERIALS?

‘First, a huge amount of material, such as gravel, sand, crushed hard core or concrete, worked into the ground to improve drainage,’ suggests James Basson. ‘Then a graded gravel mulch to prevent weeds.’ Pick a local loose stone or gravel for a mulch so it fits in with the local environment; it’s also good for reducing the carbon footprint of transport. ‘I would stick to natural durable materials – textured stone, rock, gravel and hardwoods,’ adds Jane Brockbank. →

“A DRY GARDEN IS A SPACE THAT BREATHES. IT IS ALL ABOUT DRAINAGE, GIVING PLANTS LITTLE OPPORTUNITY TO ABSORB WATER”

JAMES BASSON, garden designer

S OLIVIER FILIPPI, ÅSA GREGERS-WARG,

PHOTOGRAPH

FEATURE SARAH WILSON JANE BROCKBANK, JAMES BASSON, TOM HOBLYN, SUE TOWNSEND

Set out layers of airy planting in a subtle colour palette that will thrive growing through gravel

ACHIEVING MEDITERRANEAN STYLE

Nurseryman Olivier Filippi explains how his quintessentially Med ideas can be brought into your own garden

BE INSPIRED BY NATURE In some areas

of the garden why not give free rein to the dynamic evolution of the landscape? Instead of trying to create a fixed picture, take your lead from the soil, climate and planting, and leave the ground cover to evolve from year to year. Your garden will become suited to the local conditions and easy to maintain.

GO FOR GRAVEL Poor, stony soil is a bonus for creating a Mediterranean-style garden. Weeds grow less easily than they would in rich soil and ground-cover plants can spread comfortably without being swamped by competitors. A gravel garden is a good option, suppressing the germination of weeds almost entirely. This balance between plant and stone is characteristic of Mediterranean landscapes.

REDUCE LAWN SIZE Consider how much lawn you actually need. Why should a 21st-century gardener follow a landscape ideal developed in the 18th century? When it’s not an aesthetic choice, the need for a surface to walk on is often used to justify a large area of lawn; however, areas required for regular foot traffic are often overestimated.

OPT FOR GROUND COVER What

should we put in place of a lawn? Consider different ground-cover solutions to suit each area, such as mat-forming plants for green carpets that can be walked on. In areas where there is no foot traffic, create large beds of perennials and shrubs for shade. &

Olivier Filippi is the author of Planting Design for Dry Gardens (£35, Filbert Press)

Predominantly evergreen shrubs create structure, with perennials emerging in other layers

“LAWNS RISK MAKING OUR GARDENS BLAND. FINDING WAYS TO REPLACE THEM IS A MOVE AGAINST UNIFORMITY”

OLIVER FILIPPI, nurseryman

THE SOURCEBOOK: WEBSITES TO BOOKMARK

BETH CHATTO’S PLANTS & GARDENS

A comprehensive A-Z guide to plants for dry gardens from the renowned plantswoman. bethchatto.co.uk

KNOLL GARDENS

The experts on ornamental grasses and flowering perennials if you want to achieve that airy Mediterranean planting style. knollgardens.co.uk

SOCIETY OF GARDEN DESIGNERS

For professional help to design a dry garden, make this your starting point. Plus gardening courses and online articles. sgd.org.uk

GRAVEL MASTER

Every type for your landscaping needs, in a range of styles and colours including apricot, gold, cream, grey, black basalt and red granite. gravelmaster.co.uk

A mix of unstructured planting and stone landscaping (above) is perfect for a dry garden Instead of covering the garden with a uniform carpet of lawn, use a variety of ground-cover plants to create layers of vegetation and flowers that emerge at different heights (above right)

When it comes to hard landscaping (right), try to stay in the vernacular and use stone that is commonly found in your local area

KITCHENS& BATHROOMS

THIS DEDICATED SECTION SHOWCASES STYLISH LAUNCHES, INNOVATIVE IDEAS AND INSPIRATIONAL DESIGN

FEATURE BUSOLA EVANS

TURN UP THE HEAT

The weather is warming up and so is our kitchen cabinetry colour of choice. Neptune’s new shade Burnt Sienna taps into the current trend for earthy, nature-inspired tones but evokes old-world charm. Incorporate the rich hue in a number of ways – try it as a focal point for an island, the back panel of cupboards for a pop of surprise, or combine with muted grey or soft blue units for a two-toned scheme. Suffolk glazed dresser hand-painted in Ink and Burnt Sienna, £3,245, Neptune →

BACK TO EARTH Rangemaster has launched three earth-inspired colours, a nod to the current trend of embracing the outdoors. The new shades – Stone Blue, Charcoal Black and Mineral Green – are available across 12 cooker styles and the dual fuel design of the Elise range is complemented by sturdy cast iron pan supports, a multi-ring burner and a wok cradle. Elise 90cm dual fuel in Mineral Green, £2,999, Rangemaster.

THE TOUCH-FREE ATLAS NEO SENSOR KITCHEN TAP BY FRANKE WORKS WITH A SIMPLE WAVE OF THE HAND – PERFECT FOR THESE HYGIENE-AWARE TIMES. FROM £540.

SWEET ROSES

Bert & May is a master of reimagining tiles as the latest addition to its Antique Collection proves. The Roses tile (on floor) was originally a reclaimed pattern, but has been given a modern twist with a pastel palette. Traditional manufacturing techniques ensure the patina and colours remain true to the original design, while the subtle variations in the tone give it depth. Roses tile, £8.40 per tile, Bert & May.

SUMMER REFRESH

The ever-popular Boat bath by BC Designs has had an uplifting paint refresh with the California Collection, by Kelly Wearstler and Farrow & Ball. The palette may well be the easiest way to transport yourself to sunnier climes this summer... Boat bath in Faded Terracotta, from £1,480, BC Designs.

FINISHING TOUCH Mixed materials are not just for worktops, if the latest offering from Waterworks is anything to go by. The Canteen One Hole High Profile kitchen tap, which boasts a handheld spray, is made from weighty brass with an oak lever and copper accents. An investment buy, its timeless design is inspired by vintage water pumps and the combination of materials makes it versatile enough to work in any scheme. £4,008, Waterworks.

FEATURE BUSOLA EVANS

3 OF THE BEST... STYLISH SHOWERHEADS

The right design can elevate your experience and give you that spa-like feeling at home. Drummonds’ Grand shower rose in brass adds unadulterated luxury. Drench offers contemporary matt black at a bank-friendly price, while C. P. Hart’s Hansgrohe Raindance promises to reduce the amount of water used by mixing it with air, which makes droplets plumper and softer. Grand shower rose in brass, £1,068, Drummonds; Harbour Status 300mm fixed showerhead, £99.99, Drench; Hansgrohe Raindance 240mm Round Air Ecosmart showerhead, £600, C. P. Hart.

SURFACE GOLD

Caesarstone has launched its fifth quartz surface over the past year with the Calacatta Maximus, which cleverly captures a genuine natural form. Created with a white backdrop, it has striking grey veining and a closer look reveals highlighted details in copper and gold. It’s durable, low-maintenance and stain resistant. Calacatta Maximus, from £550sq m, Caesarstone.

Q&A

MARTIN FLANAGAN, NEW PRODUCT DEVELOPMENT MANAGER, MEREWAY KITCHENS Which kitchen designs are most popular with

your clients at the moment? We are seeing a strong renaissance in the Shaker style but with a modern twist; slimmer framing with simpler, cleaner designs (no visible joints in framing) and schemes which offer something a little different in terms of storage.

How has the pandemic affected what people

want from their kitchens? Definitely more multi-functionality. The kitchen has had to have many different faces – school, boardroom, entertainment venue and restaurant… so clever use of space and storage, strategic power supply and lots of work surface are key.

What are the most popular colours for

cabinets? We are still seeing greys as hugely popular but more earthy, tonal colours are increasingly sought after. Over 30% of our sales are from grey cabinets. Solid colours such as white, cashmere and light grey are very popular – they are easier to clean and offer more visibility.

What new finishes are gaining popularity?

Glass and ceramic are definitely the new go-tos with their myriad of colour choices and their easy-clean practicality. These finishes are often in bolder colours such as midnight green and indigo blues – consumers are becoming braver with their kitchen choices!

The key consideration when designing a new

kitchen? Functionality. Who is going to use it, for what and how. We always advise to spend the most you can afford, as replacing a kitchen is a huge investment. Good quality, well installed kitchens can last over 20 years, so choose the best your budget will allow. It is more likely to stand the test of time and give you above and beyond your practical requirements. &

mereway.co.uk