The Brief

This unique and intriguing garden in Bloxham had all the structure you could possibly want, including beautiful marble urns, statuary, Acers and cloud pruned topiary. Sadly, the underplanting had not been as well thought through. The client, therefore, asked us to remove all the perennials, bulbs and small shrubs and come up with a planting scheme more appropriate for an oriental garden.

We selected plants that all had individual merit and would warrant their place in this environment. Striking grasses, such as Imperata ‘Red Baron’ and Hakonochloa macra give form and gently flow in the breeze, were used. We opted for shrubs that were compact and mound forming such as Hebe, whilst things like Hydrangea paniculata would give more punctuation and height. More Acers were added and larger shrubs such as Viburnum plicatum ‘Mariessii’ were positioned to create a real wow factor. Large boulders were then re-positioned around the planting to give a more authentic feel.