Garden Flowers

Calamagrostis…one of my favourite grasses

0 Written by Lisa on 12th Aug 2014 in Garden Flowers, Plants

Contemporary garden design for a modern mews house Sutton 10 `

I love Calamagrostis, or Feather Reed-grass as it’s commonly known, it’s one of my favourite grasses.

It’s architectural, soft, structural, contemporary,  naturalistic and low maintenance, all at the same time!  Planted en-masse it looks spectacular, especially with the sun behind it so that the flower heads catch the light as it moves.

East Horsley Garden Design one year on Lisa Cox

It’s a brilliant grass for small gardens because it’s very well behaved. Its tall and narrow flower stems are strong and grow straight up to between 1-1.5m, depending on the variety.

When the flowers fade in late summer, it takes on a different colour, but the structure and shape remain the same and it can be left over winter, looking fabulous when the frosts arrive.

Contemporary garden design for a modern mews house Sutton `

When spring arrives again the flower stems can be cut down, ready for the arrival of the fresh new growth.  And then the process starts again.

It’s versatile too – it can be used in formal town gardens and contemporary spaces as well as less formal gardens that have lots of space.

Planting at East Horsley one year on Lisa Cox Garden Designs

East Horsley Garden one year on Lisa Cox Designs

The most common variety is Calamagrostis x acutiflora ‘Karl Foerster’ which grows to 1.5m but for smaller gardens I tend to use Calamagrostis x acutiflora ‘Overdam’ which is slightly shorter at 1-1.2m and also has the added interested of a variegated leaf.

 

(Images: Lisa Cox)

Garden Flowers: Aster ‘Mӧnch’…the daisy that flowers for months

2 Written by Lisa on 14th Oct 2013 in Garden Flowers, Plants

Aster frikartii Monch in October Lisa Cox Garden Designs

This month’s Garden Flowers post, which I write with Rona Wheeldon of Flowerona features Aster ‘Mӧnch’. Read more

Garden Flowers: Dahlias…adding a splash of colour to your borders

2 Written by Lisa on 9th Sep 2013 in Garden Flowers, Plants

Dahlia Vals Candy at RHS Wisley Flower Show 2013 Lisa Cox

I hope you had a lovely weekend. This month’s Garden Flowers post, which I write with Rona Wheeldon of Flowerona, features the dahlia. Read more

Garden Flowers: Spectacular Hydrangea arborescens ‘Annabelle’

0 Written by Lisa on 12th Aug 2013 in Garden Flowers, Plants

White garden at Loseley Lisa Cox Designs

This month’s Garden Flowers post, which I write with Rona Wheeldon of Flowerona, features Hydrangea arborescens ‘Annabelle’. Read more

Garden Flowers: Scabiosa caucasica…also known as the Pincushion flower

0 Written by Lisa on 8th Jul 2013 in Garden Flowers, Plants

scabiosa caucasica fama deep blue Muller Seeds

I hope you had a lovely weekend and especially if you’re in the UK, enjoyed our summer weather which has now arrived in earnest. Read more

Garden Flowers: RHS Chelsea Flower Show 2013 – Plant of the Year Award

0 Written by Lisa on 10th Jun 2013 in Garden Flowers, Plants

RHS-Chelsea-Flower-Show-Plant-of-the-Year-2013-Mahonia-eurybracteata-subso-ganpinensis-Soft-Caress-Flowerona-2

This month’s Garden Flowers post, which I write with Rona Wheeldon of Flowerona features the top three new plants in the Plant of the Year Award at this year’s RHS Chelsea Flower Show. Read more

Garden Flowers: The exquisitely scented lily of the valley…

0 Written by Lisa on 13th May 2013 in Garden Flowers, Plants

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This month’s Garden Flowers post, which I write with Rona Wheeldon of Flowerona, features the lily of the valley. Read more

Garden Flowers: The dainty Snake’s Head Fritillary…

2 Written by Lisa on 8th Apr 2013 in Garden Flowers, Plants

Fritillaria meleagris by Ulf Bodin on Flickr (2)

I hope you had a great weekend… Read more

Garden Flowers: Muscari…the Grape Hyacinth

2 Written by Lisa on 8th Mar 2013 in Garden Flowers, Plants

This month’s Garden Flowers post, which I write with Rona Wheeldon of Flowerona , features the popular spring bulb, the muscari. Read more

Garden Flowers: Bright yellow flowers on bare stems…the Winter Jasmine

2 Written by Lisa on 8th Feb 2013 in Garden Flowers, Plants

This month’s Garden Flowers post, which I write with Rona Wheeldon of Flowerona, features the  winter jasmine, which is also known as Jasminum nudiflorum Read more

Lisa Cox Welcome

I specialise in helping families to turn their gardens into an extension of their home and into a space that can be used and enjoyed all year round.

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