GARDENS & LANDSCAPES. Raised Beds WIN. a mystery box prize worth 100 TOP PICKS FOR 2018 WHY RAISED BEDS ARE GREAT FOR ALL TYPES OF GARDENS

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1 THE DESIGNER S GUIDE TO CREATING THE PERFECT GARDEN GARDENS & LANDSCAPES Monthly edition February VALENTINES DAY FLOWERS TOP PICKS FOR 2018 Raised Beds WHY RAISED BEDS ARE GREAT FOR ALL TYPES OF GARDENS THE VIEW FROM OUR WINDOW VALENTINES DAY FLOWERS TOP PICKS FOR 2018 WIN a mystery box prize worth 100 FEBRUARY GARDEN ADVICE WHAT TO DO THIS MONTH

Guest Editor s Letter CONTENTS Dear Readers, Firstly, what an amazing time of year we are coming into. We have all brushed off the new year cobwebs and are fully in the flow of 2018.

As garden people we love the spring here and February offers the perfect opportunity to prepare your garden for all the joys that the spring brings.

2 Guest Editor s Letter CONTENTS Dear Readers, Firstly, what an amazing time of year we are coming into. We have all brushed off the new year cobwebs and are fully in the flow of Not only that, but spring (the very best time of year, in my opinion) is just around the corner! As garden people we love the spring here and February offers the perfect opportunity to prepare your garden for all the joys that the spring brings. As you know, this month s edition features, an explanation of the benefits of using raised beds in any garden and another one of our fantastic garden transformations. However, we couldn t possibly create a February magazine without featuring the top picks for Valentine s day flowers (as we all know how important that can be!). We will give you a run down of all you need to know to find the perfect flowers for that special someone. I hope you enjoy the second magazine of Thank you for your continued support. And remember, call us on if you need any advice on your garden. On the cover - THE VIEW from our window - Valentines Day Flowers Top picks for February Garden Advice What to do this month Guest Editor s Letter - A few words from Ashley Case Study - The Pagendam family were delighted with the harmonious blend of new and old Recommendations - Jeff s recommendations - Valentines Page Day Flowers Raised Beds Fun - Why raised beds are great for all types of gardens Be Inspired 6. - February Garden Advice - THE VIEW from our window 7. - Word Search - Did you know? Kind regards Ashley Burnip 8. Love Page - Where to Visit in February - Last months winner - Gratitude GARDENS & LANDSCAPES

Feature garden THE PAGENDAM CASE STUDY Balcony Area Location: Warwick How long did it take? 25 days When was it built? October 2017 Want to know how to add the WOW factor?

.. Let s see their spacious, innovative and luxury garden, perfect for a period property Every great garden starts somewhere The owners of this beautiful period property in Warwick wanted us to

Our priority was to retain the charm and character of the building and come up with a design that would blend in and enhance the existing appearance of the house and garden.

It was essential that we used high-quality materials that would combine seamlessly with existing stonework. Next, we constructed a composite decking platform using mill-board coppered Oak.

3 Feature garden THE PAGENDAM CASE STUDY Balcony Area Location: Warwick How long did it take? 25 days When was it built? October 2017 Want to know how to add the WOW factor? Call us now on Before 3D Design Raised Beds The Pagendam Family were Delighted with the Harmonious Blend of New and Old... Let s see their spacious, innovative and luxury garden, perfect for a period property Every great garden starts somewhere The owners of this beautiful period property in Warwick wanted us to renovate the garden area by their swimming pool. However, as this was a listed building, there were restrictions around what we could do. Our priority was to retain the charm and character of the building and come up with a design that would blend in and enhance the existing appearance of the house and garden. The hard work begins The two key aspects in this design were the patio and terrace plus the swimming pool surround. It was essential that we used high-quality materials that would combine seamlessly with existing stonework. Next, we constructed a composite decking platform using mill-board coppered Oak. This had the effect of breaking up the mass of paving and providing a separate relaxation space. Over the decking area, we built a planed timber pergola to add height, interest and a focal point to the design. We used rendered walling to create new raised beds. Further white rendered walling will be used to form other raised beds, seating and fire-pit areas that will be located in a different section of the garden. Acid Wash An acid wash of all the stone and balustrade was carried out at the end of the project to enhance the vibrancy of the stone. Introducing low-level flowerbeds helps to break up the long expanses of paving and brings colour and interest to the garden. Top soil and compost were dug into other beds where our low maintenance planting scheme was installed to attract wildlife and give colour and scent. Another thrilled customer As with all our landscape garden designs, we wanted to create an environment completely suited to our client s lifestyle. Our clients were delighted that we had managed to transform this section of their garden while ensuring our design fitted in with the existing character of the property. Usually our designs stand out, but in this case, it was our intention to blend in harmoniously. We always start with the end in mind and every garden is built to stand the test of time. Thinking about it yourself? Great! Call us now on GARDENS & LANDSCAPES 3.

Thoughts of a GARDEN DESIGNER Valentines Day Flowers Top picks for 2018 Hey, it s Jeff here.

Clay is one of the most nutrient rich soils in the ground, the problem is it doesn t release the nutrients because it s so compact.

The most effective way to improve the garden drainage in clay soils (without removing it all and starting again) is to dig in compost and organic matter into the top 8 inches of clay and break it up.

You can speed the drainage solution up by adding an area drain that soaks into a soak away, you can then harvest this water for elsewhere in your garden.

I m very happy to send you some more information on clay soil drainage solutions if you re having problems with it yourself. Just send us an email at info@ leicestershiregardendesign.co.

4 Thoughts of a GARDEN DESIGNER Valentines Day Flowers Top picks for 2018 Hey, it s Jeff here. One of the biggest problems in a garden is drainage, especially if the garden has a strong clay soil presence. Clay is one of the most nutrient rich soils in the ground, the problem is it doesn t release the nutrients because it s so compact. The good news is with a pinch of knowledge and some determination you can begin to solve the problem. The most effective way to improve the garden drainage in clay soils (without removing it all and starting again) is to dig in compost and organic matter into the top 8 inches of clay and break it up. It s arduous and may take many years to truly solve the problem but by making a start you ll see instant improvements. You can speed the drainage solution up by adding an area drain that soaks into a soak away, you can then harvest this water for elsewhere in your garden. This is done with perforated pipe and gravels from a builders merchant or garden centre. I m very happy to send you some more information on clay soil drainage solutions if you re having problems with it yourself. Just send us an at info@ leicestershiregardendesign.co.uk with the subject line clay soil improvement Regards February 14th Valentine s Day! This is the day to show your other half how much they mean to you and flowers are the traditional way. Don t forget them! Giving flowers to your loved one on Valentine s Day comes from an old tradition of sending flower bouquets to pass messages secretly. The idea began in the 18th century when Charles II was on the Swedish throne. Each flower had a meaning attached to it so it was possible to have a conversation using only flowers. The rose, signifying romantic love, is the traditional Valentine s Day flower but, of course, people also send other flowers on special occasions to show the love and admiration they feel for important people in their lives. Our floristry friends at Designer Daisies in Syston have some great advice about which flowers your loved one will adore and floristry trends to look out for in The natural, rustic and cottage garden style is still very popular, whether it s a bouquet for a special occasion or lots of flowers for a wedding. As part of this, foliage is bang on trend for 2018, particularly an abundance of eucalyptus. We increasingly have requests for foliage only bouquets and bunches for Beautiful bouquet of roses the home and for photo shoots. With its subtle green-grey-blue colouring and great scent, it s a run-away winner. For Valentine s Day, you can t beat the traditional and romantic 6, 12 or 24 red roses, brought right upto-date when they are teamed with eucalyptus. We present them either in a vase or hand- tied in an aquacoloured box - making it so much easier for transporting to your loved one or hiding in the garage for Valentine s morning! There are a few men who stray away from the norm and choose a large cymbidium orchid arranged with foliage and wrapped in brown paper. Classic and beautiful! Our highly trained florists are here to help and to arrange the perfect bouquet. We see many gents in the shop around this time, all wanting to romance and impress their lady. With around red roses, and other roses and flowers to be arranged, it s a very busy time for us! Jeff Randall Hot Chocolate Warm Blanket Roses Roses 4. GARDENS & LANDSCAPES

Raised Beds Why raised beds are great for all types of gardens Our Clients Raised Beds Our Clients Raised Beds Our Clients Raised Beds Raised beds make it easy to cultivate a variety of different

This means you take maximum advantage of every inch of the garden as raised beds can be constructed to fit in any corner or narrow angle.

As well as being perfect for allowing disabled or elderly gardeners to still enjoy their gardens, there are a number of other benefits to using raised beds.

The protection of the walls and the higher level of the bed means the soil warms up faster in spring, and the gardening season can start earlier.

5 Raised Beds Why raised beds are great for all types of gardens Our Clients Raised Beds Our Clients Raised Beds Our Clients Raised Beds Raised beds make it easy to cultivate a variety of different plants, and are especially good for fruit and vegetables as the soil type can be controlled. As they require a solid frame, beds can be built much higher and in any shape. This means you take maximum advantage of every inch of the garden as raised beds can be constructed to fit in any corner or narrow angle. Also, waist-high raised beds are ideal for those with restricted mobility as they eliminate the need for strenuous bending down. As well as being perfect for allowing disabled or elderly gardeners to still enjoy their gardens, there are a number of other benefits to using raised beds. By introducing new types of soil it can create the ideal environment for all sorts of plants that wouldn t necessary flourish if they were grown directly into the ground. The protection of the walls and the higher level of the bed means the soil warms up faster in spring, and the gardening season can start earlier. With raised beds, you can bring in soil that will allow for free drainage an essential factor for the health of many plants, especially those that don t like having their roots waterlogged for long periods of time in wet climates. Plus, if the bed is high enough, it will be inaccessible to certain types of small mammals that routinely damage plants. Raised beds can be constructed from sleepers, pressure-treated timber, stone, brick, concrete blocks and other materials, as long as the structure is sturdy enough to hold the Our Clients Raised Beds amount of soil required to fill the bed. Once you decide how big you would like your raised bed to be, you can choose where to position it. A final point to remember. Plants in raised beds can become dehydrated more quickly due to better drainage, so make sure they re watered regularly in dry conditions. If you are considering adding a raised bed to your garden why not call our Soft Landscaping Deisgner Jodie Fedorko on She will be able to help you with planting arrangements and positioning so they can get just the right amount of sunlight and exposure. GARDENS & LANDSCAPES 5.

February Garden Advice What to do this month The Hottest

apples, pears, quinces, medlars, currants, raspberries

Firstly, this is the perfect time to plant bare-root

is frozen just wait a few more weeks for the warmer

Vegetables In terms of Vegetables it s time to sow broad

Things to do Place mice controls near stored vegetables.

the maintenance of your garden then call us now on 0116

6 February Garden Advice What to do this month The Hottest Trend Pruning and training Prune existing fruit such as apples, pears, quinces, medlars, currants, raspberries and gooseberries. Firstly, this is the perfect time to plant bare-root trees and bushes, as long as the soil isn t frozen, if it is frozen just wait a few more weeks for the warmer weather. Vegetables In terms of Vegetables it s time to sow broad beans in pots in mild areas, placing them in a cold frame or unheated greenhouse. Also sow seed indoors for early crops eg: lettuces, summer brassicas (e.g. cabbages and cauliflowers), spinach, salad onions and turnips. Additionally, sow onion seed in a heated propagator. Things to do Place mice controls near stored vegetables. Protect early seed sowings from slugs. Protect brassicas from pigeons. Remove all remaining plant debris from the vegetable plot. Check apples for canker and prune out. Veg Patch Alternatively if you would like us to take on the maintenance of your garden then call us now on and we will tell you more about our packages and how we can make your garden look as good as new all year round. THE VIEW from our window SEND IN YOUR GARDEN PHOTOS: us: subscribe@leicestershiregardendesign.co.uk Write to us: shire Garden Design Co., Unit 11, The Warren, East Goscote,, shire LE7 3XA 6. GARDENS & LANDSCAPES Fruit Tree

A T Z E G K A E R I A H Q E S I U T U L I P D G D S S D B T P S P A T S L A I O R I L E P S G O E S E R Y S T A Y M L E N Via Post: shire Garden Design Co Unit 11, The Warren, East Goscote shire LE7

7 WORD SEARCH A U K A C H E L R Y E F L C E C J S T I O I F T U T T Y H T B N O L W D P A H T D I L E S G G A S O F B L U E S W D R E H D T F D K G F D A F K A R T N Q F Z H A J K D Y Z L F Y U M A S Q B U T E L K L H Y B L D Q M S F V S C K S X Y S L T J A W A S I M R O S G J G O S U W T B R N S G F J G E W S F I H A I K Y E F K I A A B S T L C I E R A L P Y L O H L O E O Z T T U L I L I L Y W U M A T Z E G K A E R I A H Q E S I U T U L I P D G D S S D B T P S P A T S L A I O R I L E P S G O E S E R Y S T A Y M L E N Via Post: shire Garden Design Co Unit 11, The Warren, East Goscote shire LE7 3XA Winter Wonderland H P R I M R O S E R S X L O B J L A B L O S S Z E I B N N U K K N E B U T T E R C U P Y W D A D F F A S B J U B B E L L Can you find 10 flowers plus the 11th mystery flower? Rose Tulip Cherry Blossom Bluebell Buttercup Daffodil Primrose Iris Lily Lotus Win To be in with the chance of winning a mystery box prize worth 100 complete the word search. Fill in the form and submit your entry via one of the following options Your Name: Address: 11th: P _Y SUBSCRIBE NOW! US AT GARDENS & LANDSCAPES subscribe@leicestershiregardendesign.co.uk WRITE TO US AT shire Garden Design Co. Unit 11, The Warren, East Goscote,, shire LE7 3XA CALL US ON Subscribe to Gardens & Landscapes today and receive your copy every month, delivered direct to your door. Have your address and details ready and we ll add you to our mailing list. Did you know? You can change a hydrangea s color by altering the ph level of the soil. A more alkaline soil will result in pinker blooms, while more acidity will produce blue blooms. To coax your plant to the blue side, add more organic matter to your soil, like egg shells and coffee grounds (though the acidity in used coffee grounds can vary greatly, so you might try a high-acid fertilizer, too). The change won t happen overnight, but eventually you should succeed in manipulating your soil s ph level. Via s.mcginnes@leicestershiregardendesign.co.uk Phone Number: GARDENS & LANDSCAPES 7.

Congratulations to last months winner... Maureen Cox Where to Visit in February? Comedy Festival Show Jim Campbell - Work in Progress Saturday 24th February 2018 5.

15pm The Guildhall Guildhall Lane LE1 5FQ 12 100 National Garden Centre gift voucher Thank You for your continued support.

8 Congratulations to last months winner... Maureen Cox Where to Visit in February? Comedy Festival Show Jim Campbell - Work in Progress Saturday 24th February pm Kayal 153 Granby Street LE1 6FE 5 Jackie Oates Sunday 10th February pm The Guildhall Guildhall Lane LE1 5FQ National Garden Centre gift voucher Thank You for your continued support... Frosty Fun Day Thursday 15th February 2018 All day The Guildhall Guildhall Lane LE1 5FQ 3 Paul Chowdhry Friday 16th February pm De Montfort Hall Granville Road LE1 7RU To say thank you for referring us to a family member or friend we now offer tea for two as a reward. If you haven t already received your voucher, then call us now on to get yours. COMING UP IN THE NEXT ISSUE OF... GARDENS & LANDSCAPES Featured case study The view from our window GET IN TOUCH us at editor@leicestershiregardendesign.co.uk Write to us at shire Garden Design Co. Unit 11, The Warren, East Goscote,, shire LE7 3XA Call us on Follow us: Facebook & 8. GARDENS & LANDSCAPES

THE DESIGNER S GUIDE TO CREATING THE PERFECT GARDEN GARDENS. & LANDSCAPES Monthly edition April

THE DESIGNER S GUIDE TO CREATING THE PERFECT GARDEN GARDENS & LANDSCAPES Monthly edition April 2018 www.leicestershiregardendesign.co.uk Ideals vs Realism WHY YOU NEED A PROFESSIONAL GARDEN DESIGNER BEST