TWO local garden designers are holding an informal and free walk-in session on Thursday, June 1 between 2pm and 6 pm at No. 4 Manor Cottages, (Ilkley Art School), at Ilkley Manor House.
Melissa Morton and Helen Taylor will be available to discuss your own garden projects.
Melissa and Helen have run their garden design practices for many years, building up a wealth of knowledge about garden design, project management, planting design and maintenance.
If you’d like to come and share your own garden challenges, they will guide you on how you may be able to resolve your issues. They will happily explain the garden design process and how this can be tailored to your project.
They said: “If you are thinking of making changes to your garden, it’s wise to find a garden designer that suits you and your project and to plan, well in advance, as designers and good landscape contractors will have a waiting list.
"We often start by reviewing your existing planting and considering any clearance and pruning of mature shrubs. Depending on the plants, this can be done in the autumn or spring.
"We’re all guilty of going to the garden centre at this time of the year and buying a few plants in flower and planting them to add some instant colour. We can help you plan your garden planting to look interesting all year, creating a succession of flowering and foliage interest as well as structure through the seasons.
"The planting season is not actually in the summer but over the winter. Planting between October to March, when plants are dormant, results in better establishment and reduced plant stress caused by dry and warmer weather. You can also buy hedges and roses in the planting season which are supplied bare rooted which are less expensive than pot grown.
"In planning a new layout of your garden start by thinking about views from the house. What picture would you like to create to enjoy all year round?
"Think about where you would like to sit in the garden in the sun or shade and at various times of the day. Most of our garden designs like to include seating for breakfast, morning coffee, lunch, afternoon tea and evening gin and tonic.
"Are there hard landscape materials in the garden that could be repurposed or recycled. It’s so important to think sustainably."
"If you have a particular garden design or planting design project in mind, you can book a free half hour time slot between 2 and 6 p.m. Alternatively just call by for an informal chat to meet us and see how we can help."
After a 12-year career in teaching colour science at Leeds University, Melissa has since spent over ten years building up her expertise in garden and planting design. Qualifications include horticulture (level 2 & level 3), and ongoing garden design training including a year studying Landscape Architecture at Leeds Beckett University. Melissa is currently going through the accreditation process with The Society of Garden Designers, the professional body for garden designers.
Helen Taylor trained as a landscape architect and worked in Scotland for 11 years before returning to her home of Yorkshire. She set up her garden design business in 1999 and became a Registered Member of the Society of Garden Designers. She has been working locally on private garden designs and has recently designed the new community planting in Ilkley Riverside Park on a voluntary basis.
Contact Melissa on 01943 700142; garden@melissamorton.co.uk or Helen on 01943 862537, helen@helentaylorgardendesign.co.uk
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