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• 

  Nick Steele November 29, 2009 at 4:22pm

  Have a look in Beth Chatto's Gravel Garden there's loads a of "special" possibilities in there.
• 

  Ofer El-hashahar November 29, 2009 at 4:59pm

  Dear Tim,
  I would love to help- I am an expert for easy care ( low maintenance garden design).
  Already, on my first big scale project, 13 years ago my boss at that time was mad about easy care plants.
  
  In fact we even pulled out many mature plants and replaced them with easy care plants- that is how my Boss got a negative reputation - but he was absolutely right as it was the only way he could later on maintain a massive area on his own- when having no budget.
  
  Since I was always searching for more plants like that - I designed and built many private and comercial gardens, roof gardens and even indoor gardens- all with the idea of easy to maintain.
  
  Even in the UK I made few slate and gravel gardens.
  
  
  It is not that bad, If you think about that:
  everyone likes gardens not everyone like gardening.
  
  some of my customers were getting older, some wanted a to save time or water.
  
  I use plants that will look great most of the year. ( great texture/ colored foliage or long period of blooming) sure not all plants looks great together so you need to choose the ones that does.
  
  
  Also keep good spacing between the plants so -less cutting back needed,
  
  use a weed barrier to reduce weeds, the planting can be in one area or spread. I usually prefer to create a bed with the plants:
  
  Here is part of my list: If you need more help please let me know,
  
  sedum 'Matrona' or many others
  Salvia superba
  Verbena bonariensis
  Pentsemon- If the soil is not heavy- it is briliant
  Kniphofia
  Day lilies - are Wonderful choice but disapear from now to about feb
  
  helictotrichon sempervirens- 1.2 metre of blue oat grass
  
  Pachisandra terminalies- varigata - if you do use Phormiums
  Heuchera- many great coloured leaves- ' plum pudding' chocalte and more
  Carex evergold
  Armeria maritima
  Phormiums so many are strong enough to stay outside and looks great
  Bigger plants:
  Fargesia murielae simba- great bamboo for the height
  
  Just part of the list
  hard to say without looking at the background/ soil
  
  And if you need any edging for that/ or want a planting scheme - please let me know.
  

  

  

  

  
  Hope it's help
  
  Ofer
• 

  Ofer El-hashahar November 29, 2009 at 5:04pm

  Just to add these gardens looks great 9-10 month a year and so far I Maintain it like 2-4 times a year

  

  

  
  Ofer El said:

  Dear Tim,
  I would love to help- I am an expert for easy care ( low maintenance garden design).
  Already, on my first big scale project, 13 years ago my boss at that time was mad about easy care plants.
  
  In fact we even pulled out many mature plants and replaced them with easy care plants- that is how my Boss got a negative reputation - but he was absolutely right as it was the only way he could later on maintain a massive area on his own- when having no budget.
  
  Since I was always searching for more plants like that - I designed and built many private and comercial gardens, roof gardens and even indoor gardens- all with the idea of easy to maintain.
  
  Even in the UK I made few slate and gravel gardens.
  
  
  It is not that bad, If you think about that:
  everyone likes gardens not everyone like gardening.
  
  some of my customers were getting older, some wanted a to save time or water.
  
  I use plants that will look great most of the year. ( great texture/ colored foliage or long period of blooming) sure not all plants looks great together so you need to choose the ones that does.
  
  
  Also keep good spacing between the plants so -less cutting back needed,
  
  use a weed barrier to reduce weeds, the planting can be in one area or spread. I usually prefer to create a bed with the plants:
  
  Here is part of my list: If you need more help please let me know,
  
  sedum 'Matrona' or many others
  Salvia superba
  Verbena bonariensis
  Pentsemon- If the soil is not heavy- it is briliant
  Kniphofia
  Day lilies - are Wonderful choice but disapear from now to about feb
  
  helictotrichon sempervirens- 1.2 metre of blue oat grass
  
  Pachisandra terminalies- varigata - if you do use Phormiums
  Heuchera- many great coloured leaves- ' plum pudding' chocalte and more
  Carex evergold
  Armeria maritima
  Phormiums so many are strong enough to stay outside and looks great
  Bigger plants:
  Fargesia murielae simba- great bamboo for the height
  
  Just part of the list
  hard to say without looking at the background/ soil
  
  And if you need any edging for that/ or want a planting scheme - please let me know.
  

  

  

  

  
  Hope it's help
  
  Ofer