Top Garden Trends for 2015

A new year often prompts us to think about the changes we’d like to make in our life and our gardens. Here we give you the top garden trends for 2015 that we think will have an impact on our green spaces.

Up-cycling and recycling

We’ve been into this for years and we don’t see the trend stopping.  It’s all about sourcing old materials and using them in unique ways to add focal points and functional pieces to your garden. In 2015, rather than waiting for materials to be processed into a new form in the traditional meaning of re-cycling, more of a focus will be on immediate re-cycling.  This means the use of existing structures in new ways, such as old sinks as planters and old machinery turned into water features.

A great way to prevent old tyres ending up in landfill

Shrubs

Shrubs are having a renaissance. Planting them alongside small trees or grasses gives interest year round rather than just a shot of colour when perennials are in season. Variable winters over recent years have meant that trends imported from overseas have not fulfilled their promise. Phormiums and cordylines often don’t flourish as hoped. In 2015 heathland planting incorporating shrubs such as the common gorse will be more popular. Indeed golden yellows are a colour trend in garden in 2015 with sunflowers also seeing their popularity increase.  Dusty reds are another main colour trend for the coming year.

Outside rooms

With many of us choosing to extend our homes rather than move (including us at Vialii Towers!), an outside office or garden room becomes a real option. Vialii clients have embraced this trend for a couple of years – we always like to have our finger on the pulse!Budgets can vary enormously from custom built to designer ready made so there is sure to be one to suit you, your budget and your garden.

Be it a space to relax or work in, garden rooms can be an effective additional to any home

Intricate pathways

Functional driveways and paths are being giving a more intricate edge by a revival of older techniques, such as Portuguese pavement. This technique uses smaller blocks to create mosaic-like patterns or grids. It has the bonus of being great for drainage too. For more on intricate paving click here.

Small square paving blocks and gravel contrast well in these curving paths

Grow your own

Being able to produce your own fruit and veg will always be popular.  However the bad weather in recent years has also affected that. This year easier to grow, low maintenance crops such as rhubarb and hardier patio suitable tomatoes (we recommend Losetto) will be popular. Another trend we see becoming more popular is straw bale planting which is ideal if you have a bad back and can’t bend easily, plus you don’t have to dig over the earth.  The plants are incorporated into bales that you pre-treat with water and fertiliser.  We’re hoping to be having a go…

Growing your own flowers for cutting is also on the increase. We were lucky enough to inherit a lovely iris bed within our garden and watching The Big Allotment Challenge has inspired us to grow other cut flowers too. It’s not only much better for the environment than buying imported flowers but a whole lot more satisfying too.

Getting younger generations involved

At Vialii we have no trouble doing that as our toddler Lulu has her very own blog on the subject. Trends such as electric daisies (Acmella oleracea) that can actually be eaten (their petals have a citrus taste combined with a mild jolt of electricity!) help to intrigue children and adults (try them in a cocktail!) Follow Lulu’s blog for regular posts on how to inspire children to get involved in gardening and lots of great projects to try.

Getting children involved in growing their own is a great way for them to learn where food comes from

What do you think or wish will be top garden trends for 2015?

If you want to commission us to bring any of these trends into your garden then please get in touch.

Thanks for reading.

All at Vialii

Transformers – Gardens in Disguise! Part 2

Earlier this year we blogged some “Before & After” pictures of a few of the gardens we have designed and built. Here are some more of our recent garden transformations…

A Room with a View, Brightons

Before: the garden had become overgrown and was on an awkward slope.

An overgrown, sloped garden

After: this garden was completely transformed with new lawn, planting and the addition of the fabulous garden “pod”, allowing the garden to be enjoyed in all weathers.

The tranformed garden with the amazing “pod”

A Plantsman’s Garden, Larbert

Before: the garden was water logged and lacked inspiration.

The garden had no seating areas and lacked focal points]

After: Additional slats to the fence, new paths and patio, reshaped lawn and some beautiful planting perfected this makeover.

The new garden is packed with interest

A Low Maintenance Family Garden, Bridge of Allan

Before: there was little to be kept in the existing garden except an apple tree and rhododendron.

The apple tree was one of the few things to keep

After: The existing apple tree was given a good “hair-cut” & became the key feature of the new patio in this garden. New lawn, gravel borders and structural planting all completed this transformation.

Curving lawn, a new patio and structural planting transforms this garden

A Contemporary Wildlife Garden, Bridge of Allan

Before: The wonderful view beyond was hidden in this garden by overgrown hedgerow. There was nothing to keep in the garden at all.

There was nothing to keep in the garden

A new log fence, morning patio, raised deck, lawn and veg beds were all carefully designed to complete this garden with a view.

The new deck provides a contemporary space to enjoy the lovely views

If you are interested in having your own garden designed, click here to contact us for a free design consultation.

To see more transformations click on the following:

Transformers – Gardens in Disguise! Part 1

Transformers – Gardens in Disguise! Part 3

Thanks for reading.

All at Vialii

Get To The (Focal) Point – Part 2

In our recent blog on garden focal points we told you why they are such an important feature in the gardens we design. Here are a few more examples of some of the focal points we have used in our gardens…

Oil Lantern

This oil lantern is made from corten steel which is designed to give this beautiful rusted finish. It is wonderful focal point in this garden, guiding you round the path up to the seating area in the top corner.

An oil lantern made from rusted metal is softened by planting

Classical statue

This garden has a formal layout of raised beds and lends itself to having a focal point down the central aisle. A classical white statue looks great against the clipped hedge.

A formal layout is complemented with this classical statue focal point

Dry-stone seat

This wonderful seat is a lovely feature in this city centre garden. Hand crafted from stone without the need for any mortar it is a true work of art and a lovely focal point in the garden.

A dry-stane seat creates a wonderful focal points as well as a place to rest on your journey round the garden

Garden pod

There is no missing the main focal point in this garden – the garden “pod”. The bespoke pod was crafted from timber and has a living roof. Great to look at as well as a place to shelter from the Scottish weather!

The garden “pod” is a strong feature of this garden

Feature tree

This wonderful old apple tree was the only thing to be saved from the old garden that we transformed here. It had grown a bit wild but with a careful “hair-cut” it was restored to its true glory and became a wonderful feature in the new patio.

The gnarly old apple tree was sculpted and made the focal point within the new patio in this garden

Water feature

Water features can be a wonderful addition to the garden, providing a wonderful focal point to look and listen to (and feel if you are a child having lots of fun in the garden!) This lovely water feature sits in a bespoke vintage brick patio.

A beautiful water feature set into a patio creates a wonderful focal point at the end of the curving path

Garden Globe & Canal

The “canal” is a lovely feature in this garden, providing a contemporary pond for adults and wildlife to enjoy. It leads on to the metal globe focal point which leads your eye up and to the stunning view beyond.

Here, the water feature and metal globe draw the eye up to the beautiful views beyond

If you are would like some focal points introduced into your garden please get in touch to discuss what would work well in your space and to your budget.

Thank you for reading.

All at Vialii