Buxus
I adore all varieties of box, with
glorious Buxus sempervirens as
a desert island plant choice –  I just couldn’t imagine a garden without it. 
Dale & Heybrook Garden Designers
plant many varieties and forms of
Buxus regularly in their gardens. 

Box blight (a fungal disease resulting
in bare patches and die-back of box)
is an ever prevalent threat.  In order
to plant Buxus confidently in our
client’s gardens, we recommend a
twice annual spray of fungicide at the
beginning of March and August.

We have been doing this for many
years and with almost complete success. 
Here is our wonderful Russell spraying
130cm diametre box balls in a client’s
front garden last week.

Some varieties, such as the larger
leaved Buxus rotundifolia or narrow
leaved Buxus salicifolia, seem resistant
to the disease but their application
is not always suitable to the create
the effect required.

Laura, 14 March 2017

Quercus robur
Our fabulous native oak, c. 130 years old with zingy bronze-lime spring foliage emerging.  Ravishing everyday at any age.  The king of British trees.

Laura, 17 April 2017, Suffolk

Perch Hill
Lunch last week was with Sarah Raven. Gosh she is brilliant and so generous with her knowledge and time.   Her bunches,
all picked from the garden,  usually contain
“6 ingredients”.   This one includes Tulipa ‘Victoria’s Secret’, T. ‘Helmar’ and
T. ‘Royal Acres’  with Viburnum opulus roseum, Cerinthe major 'Purpurascens' and Euphorbia palustris.  A sumptuous, late season tulip arrangement that sings
to my Dutch roots.

Laura, 4 May 2017

Making an Entrance!
Grand or simple, flamboyant or subtle,
a considered dress to all entrances, particularly to the front door, is vital to making a beautiful, welcoming and alluring home. 

Depending on our client’s style and location, we design all entrances to
set the scene for what’s to come; creating both appeal and a sense of anticipation. 

Here are some wonderful entranceways that I have enjoyed recently.  All are considered and capture the spirit
of the place. 

Laura, 17 April 2017

Wonderful Arne Maynard’s bejewelled front garden in very early spring.

Recently created stone arch at
Hanham Court.

Entrance to artisan tile makers home,
near Chettinad, southern India.

One of a fabulous series of entrances to 11th century Big Temple, Tanjore,
southern India

Traditional terracing
Traditional terracing using local stone
sits effortlessly on the steep hills behind Portofino.

And the air was alive with glorious fragrance and birdsong.  

We love working with craftsmen to help
create timeless designs in the garden.
 
Laura, 21 May 2017