Client Projects
This page shows a selection of images from recent client projects completed by Busy Bee Garden Design. Planting is designed to allow the plants the correct amount of room to fill out over time.
Border Re-design Project
Two long borders with large hedges at the back were re-designed from a mass of overgrown plants into a stylish and colourful space. With the plants proximity to the hedges a drought-tolerant planting scheme was used featuring grasses. A limited colour palette of purple, white and pinks was used. The grasses will add interest over the winter. The plants that were in the border were dug up, potted and re-located in other areas of the garden. The clients did not want a symmetrical design so similar varieties of plants with different colour foliage and flowers were used on each side to give a less formal, but cohesive look.
Rockery
A rockery design and planting plan was created for an area of a back garden. The design was somewhat challenging as the area was in shade due to a large Willow tree. This tree also meant that drought-tolerant plants would be needed. The soil was acidic so a limited selection of plants were available that would be suitable for the conditions. A range of colourful alpine plants and small conifers was chosen to give interest throughout the year along with green slate.
Having completed the design, Emma received excellent feedback from the clients: "Emma was recommended to us and what a fabulous recommendation she was. We had an area underneath our Willow Tree that was crying out for some love and attention. We had thought about a rockery however were unsure if this would work. Emma talked us through options, tested our soil and gave us great ideas as to how the space could be transformed. The designs and plant recommendations were spot on and the finished result was beyond our expectations. We can’t recommend Emma highly enough, friendly and professional with a real passion for what she does."
Raised Border Project
A design and planting plan was created for a large, raised, L-shaped border to create a beautiful, low maintenance and wildlife-friendly space. Plants were sourced and planted by Emma. The area includes two rockeries and a pond. The final photos show how the project matured after a year and then after 18 months.
Pond Rockery Area Clearing and Planting
A formal pond surrounded by steep rockery areas on all four sides was overgrown with brambles, ground elder and many other weeds. The area was cleared to reveal some beautiful ferns. A planting plan was created for the addition of perennials and shrubs that would add colour and benefit wildlife. Additional aquatic plants were added to the pond.
Wall Troughs and Stone Planters
Wall troughs, a hanging basket, containers and a stone planter had annual plants replaced with heathers, violas, a small conifer and Ajuga with ivy to trail down. Stone planters on the patio were planted with alpine plants with slate pieces set into the compost. Larger stone planters on the patio were planted with perennials including grasses, heuchera, bee-friendly flowering plants and alpines.
Garden Borders
Planting plans for three garden borders were created. A part shade border with a large gap had a Fatsia japonica 'Spider's Web' shrub added along with Ajuga and Lamium for ground cover. Pollinator-friendly abelia, sedum and armeria were also added for colour. Next to the border, a large pot was planted up with a mini pampas grass.
In the back garden, borders were extended by removing some turf. On one side a feature tree, Acer davidii 'Viper' was planted surrounded by heuchera, ajuga and small grasses. On the opposite side of the garden the extension was planted with bee-friendly shrubs including Physocarpus and flowering perennials such as rudbeckia, aster, geraniums and sedums. Large miscanthus grasses were also planted. The planting was completed in November. The final two photos show the colourful borders the following August.
Front Garden Borders
Two front garden borders that were overgrown with weeds were transformed by adding colourful bee-friendly planting. The area was mulched with bark to keep the weeds down, keep moisture in the soil and to protect the plants from cold in the winter.
Border Transformation
A border was transformed by the planting of pollinator-friendly colourful perennials a yew and mugo pine.
Back Garden Border Creation and Planting
A border with a scalloped edge was created and planted with perennials and shrubs for acidic soil.
Border Edging and Weeding
A back garden was transformed by the creation of a scalloped border edge. The border was weeded ready for planting to be done soon.
Front Garden Project
A design and planting plan was created for a front garden border to create a beautiful, low maintenance and wildlife-friendly space. The area was cleared of weeds. Plants for acidic soil were sourced and planted by Emma. A small pond was added and the area mulched to keep down the weeds. More flowering perennials will be added in the Spring.
Rockery
An overgrown area was cleared of weeds. Topsoil was added along with large pieces of rustic slate . Alpine plants including sedums, Armeria and Helianthemum were planted along with ivy and a Mugo pine. Blue slate pieces and cobble stones were used to mulch the area.
Shade Planting
A bare, shady corner was transformed by the planting of shade-loving plants including foxgloves, hostas, heuchera and sweet box to add colour and texture. The sweet box shrubs are evergreen and have a beautiful scent in the winter.
