Planting plans for 2023

I’m always trying to evolve how we think about planting in the courtyard. It’s not as easy as it might seem: it’s windy and not particularly sunny …. and watering can be an issue if I go away. Although our big new rain butts (inspired by the hose pipe ban) have helped with this a lot. This year the courtyard has really benefitted from regular care and attention from Stephanie who visits every week - and is responsible for taking some of the lovely pictures we share on social media showing progress with plants.

Last week we had a visit from a neighbour of mine who has a new business helping people with small spaces create lovely gardens.. (You can get a feel for her work - and garden - on her website here: www.my-small-garden.com).

She’s had some lovely ideas for next year including silver planting with contrasting burgundy-purple, evergreen, low maintenance ideas and the addition of some trees. She thinks it’d be good to focus on a few plants in this colour scheme and simplify our planting for greater impact. I love all the plants she’s suggesting - Heucheras, lavenders, heathers with silver colouring, purple hue flowers and some structural grasses. And bulbs to bring ‘pops’ of colour at different times of the year. And we will still have our herb planters too.

It all sounds exciting and something nice to look forward to. We’re going to start slowly with our largest planter - the one that gets the most comments as our Angel Wing plants have been so successful in it. We can see how we like that (and what visitors say!) before rolling out ideas for other plants.