1 NATURAL SWIMMING POND
Many swimming pools spend most of the year under cover whereas a natural swim pond sits comfortably within a garden landscape – marginal planting provides valuable habitat for wildlife, too. ‘I believe it’s crucial that our gardens are in harmony, allowing people and wildlife to live side by side and be mutually beneficial,’ says garden designer Matthew Childs. If you’re thinking about adding one, he recommends consulting a specialist. ‘This is part science project, part art form and getting the best results requires careful planning,’ he says. Aim to locate your pond at the lowest point in your garden as this is where water would naturally accumulate. A sunny spot away from trees and falling leaves is also important.
2 PLANTING PLAN
Maximising the space you have is key, using a predominance of plant types that give value for money through the seasons so you maintain continuity. ‘Plants that flower a second time after an end-of-summer cut back, like many of the salvia cultivars, or that flower for a long period of time, like Verbena bonariensis, will give colour and structure through to the first frosts,’ says landscape designer Alistair Baldwin.
Combine these with plants that hold their shape into the winter, whether evergreen shrubs, grasses, or even deciduous ‘Amethyst’ in the foreground and white ‘Schneehugel’ in the background are in their second flush of flower,’ says Alistair, ‘while stems of fennel are still standing and plumes of provide a soft foil.’
