'Seeking Sanctuary'- Irish cottage garden design
It’s a brand new month, and the Lost Forest garden is still offering me boundless amounts of energy, a full palette of rich colours and textures, and a sanctuary from the noise and stresses of life.
At the beginning of July this year, I decided to redesign the large beds. As their footprint was substantial, I felt a pathway coursing through them would make it easier for me to tend to the flowers in the inner most part of the beds. It also created a more dynamic experience; feeling fully Immersed in nature as I followed the path all the way through to the next bed. I used garden slabs found around the farm yard to create a smaller curving pathway. This joined up with a path formed from larger carved stepping stones I purchased. As a former archaeologist, with a keen interest in rock art, the beautiful carvings displayed on their surface reminded me of the giant kerbstones of Newgrange and Knowth. They added another personal significance to the garden scheme.
As with anything creative that I embark on, I always delve into my own imagination. I’ve never been influenced by others in anything that I undertake, as otherwise the result is someone else’s vision and the personal nuances are lost in the final creation. I have a very organic and natural way of creating, and the garden design proved no exception. I created it upon a ‘feeling’ that just felt right. I drew up the design in a matter of minutes, and I could see it form and take on its own unique direction from there.
My little water feature was the next project I worked on. I made it from an inexpensive flower pot from my local garden centre. I sealed the base with a heavy duty silicone, and dug a hole in the ground to comfortably immerse it in. I added washed pea grit inside and some large pebbles into the base of the pot to create a miniature ecosystem under the water. It also formed little nooks and crannies for tiny critters. I used a solar pump to keep the water constantly circulating, and lastly added in oxygenating plants to keep the water healthy. They also add much needed cover for passing frogs and newts, and a restful spot for dragonflies and other winged creatures. The result is a wonderful and peaceful haven to relax in, and to enjoy the passing and subtle changes of nature.
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