Patricia Fox of Aralia  Design based in Sawbridgeworth was our guest speaker this evening.

Her talk centred on small garden designs and what NOT to do!

Examples of her work using a selection of her recent innovative designs took us on a tour of a series of high end properties in London including Knightsbridge and Regents Park.  Chelsea Creek on the River Thames too!

The roof terrace gardens were quite stunning. Using an array of dramatic glass art, creative lighting, striking pergolas and bespoke garden furniture blending in to the space available. Unlikely the items could  be purcased in B&Q or Homebase!

With several ‘before and after’ shots , many small spaces were long and narrow but with careful design and judicious planting schemes and landscaping created a totally different and pleasing look.

In small spaces it is important to blur the edges to make the garden seem larger than it actually is. Fences must be hidden with  hedging, climbers or trees. It is important when using different materials like tiles, stones, planters or wooden frames to maintain the same colour palette throughout.

Bright flowers , reds/orange /yellow should be placed nearer to the house and less vibrant paler colours should be planted further away to create  spaciousness.

Aralia have won many awards for innovative and creative gardens from small urban gardens, modern contemporary gardens as well as traditional gardens in the country.

For further information (and you don’t have to own a penthouse with a roof terrace!) contact : info @aralia.org.uk or telephone 01279 721461

The next meeting of the Society is on the 9th of April when Graham Austin of Home Farm Plants will be talking about delphiniums. He will be bringing along plants for sale.