Hyde Hall

Anemone blanda

Verbascums self sow through rocks

Rock wall

Eringium - photo doesn't do justice

Oak seats

Sedums still standing on a sw hill

Fresh Bergenias

Hyde Hall dry garden is on a south facing slope with winding paths and rises and falls in level which I think I may emulate in my 1:50 as the design so far is quite angular and controlled. I also loved the wall with self sowers..

Plants of note at Hyde Hall

Eringium agavifolium - last years seed heads still stood, leaves spiny and agave-like, perfect for my defence concept

Origanum vulgare - lush looking mat of tiny leaves, nice scent

Bergenia strachey Alba Group - Carpet of big leaves with fresh white flower

Anemone blanda 'White Splendor' - Magical drifts of ice white flowers

Polysticum setiferum 'Divisiobum Group' Really nice rustic fern

Starting the 1:50

The 1:50 area has at least 40% planting so I've been thinking through the planting plan concepts which will be taken from the overall concept of Sea Defence. Defence, Movement, Light and Rhythm will dictate the planting. Julia asked us to think about a description that makes the area special:
Architectural plants create mystical shapes while feathery grasses and perennials sway in the wind and catch the light. Repetition creates a rhythm that links the spaces and draws the eye to create a sense of cohesion.
Walks through the planting make this space quiet and contemplative, movement and light relax the senses and strong architectural shapes introduce the surreal.

Interim crit

I spent too much time this week trying to change my style of presentation and ended presenting unfinished work which I hate doing. I have always hand drawn plan, sections and sketches mainly because my photoshop skills are not the best. I tried to improve these in the week but ended up going back to my original hand drawings with a touch of photoshop embellishment. feedback was that this style was 'interesting so I think I will persue it.

CAD

Got reacquainted with CAD this weekend and after taking several hours to re-register and load up the software, I then took another few uploading my base plan and trying to scale it (which I have given up on). I got into the flow after a while and managed to draw up the base, fill with hatching and build 3 A1's; hardworks, softworks and structural planting.

1:200 and sections

Did some sections today to try and understand where the design isn't working. I think it lacks scale so I have added more grids of Quercus ilex. I'm pleased with the bit around the Martello Tower but the granite walls that are meant to be impressive look a bit lost. I might increase the size of these massively and make them really stand out.

Drainage and Lighting

Lighting: I've kept this quite rough and used ink and pastels. The lighting is used to highlight the concept, it runs up walls and hedges, showing the grid, picks out the quercus ilex and the change in granite colour. It highlights the main boardwalk as the primary route and down lighters pick out the granite sea defences

Drainage: I think I have done this correctly, tomorrow will tell. Urgh, levels seem to be on that side of my brain that just doesn't work along with adding up and joining things together. I have managed at least to drain everything off the hard surfaces and into a drain but where does it go then? Into the sea and bushes for my scheme, lets see what comes back tomorrow.

Exhibition

Day 1 today and a small crowd of us went to see. It still looked great, Dom's model excellent and people were browsing around and actually spending some time at mine!

1:200

Julia said to me on Monday 'MAKE SOME DECISIONS JULIA' so I have today and once I stopped faffing and started drawing, the ideas that were all floating around in my brain went quickly onto paper. Possible a little too quickly and now it looks a little busy but bear in mind that this is planting and materials in one. Tomorrow lighting and drainage which again is in there, just needs blurting out onto paper...

Setting up the Exhibition

My work

Dom showing off

Knole yesterday for the exhibition set up. The easels and plinths run down each side of the orangery and after much intense debating on how far they should be over the line of the tiles, a conclusion was finally reached and they all line up perfectly, phew! The sun was streaming in, beautiful day and the exhibition looked really fantastic. From a personal perspective, it was a great day for me as I've gone above and beyond the call of duty on this project and plus it was great to see my work exhibited; lots of people on this course take their talent for granted (and get more support as a result I think. Are hard workers considered more self-sufficient and therefore less worthy of support?) but I've had to work hard for mine so I am dead chuffed to be exhibiting. A highlight of this year for me and a well needed confidence boost after 'Lillegate'.

This is me branding

Designed this little emblem to go on my stationary for the branding project. Its a rough sketch of cannas and dahlias that I planted at Dixter. I wanted to bring the Dixter and gardening thing through to my brand but without being too obvious. At Dixter they plant by contrast; similar colour/contrasting texture or similar texture/constrasting colour. Thats how they achieve the harmonious and the bold at once. I like the way these plants have two opposing forms.

Dahlia: Feminine, delicate, dainty, colourful flowers, cottage

Canna: Masculine, bold, rich foliage, exotic

Dynamic - like me! Ahem..