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Biography. Kristina studied Natural Sciences at Cambridge University , graduated as a botanist and then taught Biology to ‘A' level for several years. Over time her love of gardens and her expertise with plants led her to a career in Garden Design and in 1990 she completed the Professional Garden Design course at the English Gardening School at the Chelsea Physic Garden . Since that time she has built up her garden design practice, becoming a registered member of the Society of Garden Designers in 2002. She has shown designs at The Hampton Court Palace Flower Show and the Chelsea Flower Show. Her work has been featured in books and magazines both in the UK and abroad, most recently in the November 2006 edition of the RHS magazine ‘The Garden'. Kristina lectures at the Garden Design School at Painshill Park near Cobham and is part of the schools' education team at the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew . Kristina's aim is to listen carefully to her clients in order to understand and then interpret their wishes in the design of their garden. She believes that a beautiful garden, of any style, can only develop where there is respect for the site and local architecture and building materials. Her gardens are characterised by bold shapes and elegant structures with strong planting to give colour, form and texture.
Philosophy. I believe that gardens can change lives and that making gardens is part of the process. Whatever the size, a beautiful green outdoor space can promote feelings of calm and relaxation and working in the garden is a good way to put life's problems into perspective. A client feels an attachment to their garden if they have been closely involved with the design and have enjoyed seeing it unfold and develop on the ground. The designer and client form a team with the landscaper and other craftspeople, and together they enjoy creating something special. The style of a garden is always a response to the nature of the site, its underlying geography and the buildings already there. It is also, of course a reflection of the tastes and practical requirements of the client. It is very rewarding to take time to establish the brief and then to make a garden, which seems natural and inevitable not ‘designed'. Our gardens are a refuge for wildlife and immensely important for the maintenance of biodiversity in both countryside and city. They should be planted and maintained so that they thrive without the addition of artificial fertilisers and pesticides. Gardens take time as they grow and mature from season to season through the years and I see Garden Design and gardening as part of the ‘Slow' movement. Making a garden is an opportunity to step back a little and enjoy each separate moment.
Society of Garden designers. “The society was established in 1981 to identify designers whose work is of the highest professional standard. Emphasis is placed on the excellence of work, and the Society's Code of Practice is a statement of principles designed to protect the interests of client and member alike. Registered members must have proven experience and have passed the Society's accreditation and appraisal process. Today's designer needs to draw on skills that include a sound horticultural knowledge, an understanding of ecology and conservation and the ability to analyse the garden, and most of all, to effectively interpret the hopes and wishes of the client. They must possess visual and spatial skills and the imaginative and creative impulse to transform and unify a site, from the smallest private enclave to the most open public space.” ( from the Society's publicity leaflet)
Project one. A Tiny Courtyard • The clients wanted an outdoor space in which to relax and enjoy the morning sunshine and they wanted a pleasant year round view from the living room. • The tiny triangular space was reorganised to leave a space for a table and chairs while making the most of awkward corners for planting and storage. • The new living area takes shape. • The gentle splash of a small water feature is a calming sound. • Plants were chosen for their attractive foliage and a long season of flower. • View from the sitting room. • The colour of these Alstroemerias blends with the brickwork and they are wonderful for cutting. • There is a surprising amount of space. • By the end of a season the garden is looking well established.
Front gardens: Plans and pictures are attached to the email. Please place the pictures in the order given in this doc. The plan should always be first. Front garden 1 Title: A Parking Problem Plan: As described in “The Garden” November 2006 this was a site where there was only enough space to park the car at an angle to the house. The resulting “zig-zag” design not only stops the garden from looking like a car park, but opens up the previously narrow approach to the front door. Image: Garden 3.2 – same words as plan Image: Garden 3.3 – same words as plan Front Garden 2 Title: Old and New Plan: The black and white mosaic echoes the pattern in the original Victorian tiled path and creates an interesting feature in the open space, which is necessary to reach the parked car without going into the street. The green and white planting suits the north-facing site and completes the classic look of the garden.
Front Garden 3 Title: The second car Plan: The design reflects the features of the house and creates a walk through the garden to the parking area. The place for a second car is part of the whole concept of rectangular spaces. Image: 114 – View across the garden from the car parking area. This will look much softer when the planting matures. Image: Garden 4.2 – The front door is much more welcoming now the steps are wider and shallower. Image: 110 – The front wall was rebuilt using bricks to match the house. The original coping tiles could be re-used but new pier caps had to be cast to replace the originals, which were damaged. After a couple of winters they will weather down to match the coping. Design Services
Preliminary Consultation. On the first visit I will take some time to discuss your ideas for the garden and take a look at the site. I will then prepare a short report containing a summary of our conversation, establishing an outline of the brief and making some suggestions for the development of the garden, bearing in mind the potential of the site. The report will contain an estimate of my fees.
Survey. Once you have decided to go ahead, the next visit will be to measure the garden, to clarify any queries arising from the report and to confirm the brief. If the site is large or complex a professional surveyor may need to be employed.
Masterplan. This is the key design document. It sets out the main structural features and general areas of planting in the new garden. Additional sketches or drawings may be prepared to help you visualise what the garden will look like.
Planting Plan. This rather technical drawing sets out the numbers and positions of the plants. I will explain it to you with the help of photographs so you get a good idea of the shapes, textures, colour schemes and seasonal interest in the new garden.
Preparation for Tender.Construction Details, Setting Out Drawings and a full Scope of Works are necessary in order that contractors can tender for the work and later carry out the design. The contractors who are invited to tender may be your own choice or one of a number suggested by me.
Monitoring. Having interviewed and then appointed a contractor you may then wish me to monitor the work, to ensure the design is properly interpreted. I find that jobs go well when there is plenty of communication at this stage so I will visit about twice a week, or more often if necessary, depending on how far I have to travel.
Maintenance. We will consider the eventual maintenance of the garden from the first visit and it will be taken into account in the design. I will supply a simple maintenance schedule. This is a seasonal guide giving pruning advice, which helps you to remember what needs to be done in the garden and when.
Follow up Visits.I like to keep in touch with gardens and clients. Gardens take some time to establish and the vagaries of climate and variations in plants and growing conditions inevitably make adjustments necessary as time passes. I usually visit several times a year for at least the first couple of years and sometimes more often. Gardens are always ‘Works in Progress' and I am very happy to be involved.
Project 3 Title: A Wildlife Garden . Image: Broderick before
The client had been given a field on a slope overlooking the Cambridgeshire countryside. He wanted to develop a garden for wildlife, which would be somewhere to visit and potter about observing nature. Image: Pond construction Construction of a large pond towards the bottom of the slope was the major landscaping activity. Ducks arrived as soon as there was some water. IMPG0530 copy Water plantings mature quickly so only a year after planting the pond area was looking good. Ducks and water voles and various amphibians are now regular inhabitants. After the bindweed had been more or less dealt with the field was sown with a meadow mixture, appropriate to the soil type and matching the local flora. Trees and shrubs were planted small and each was mulched well to prevent competitive weed growth around it. Mown grass paths were soon established in the meadow and became exciting places for visiting toddlers to explore. The flowers bring butterflies and other insects to the garden. Even in the first year the meadow was a carpet of flowers. It is mown just once a year in midsummer after all the flowers have set seed. As yet the garden is young but as the trees and shrubs grow and begin to provide shade and cover its character will develop. There will be an increasing variety of habitats for birds, mammals and insects and ever more interest for humans. The client hopes to observe and enjoy the changes for many years.
Project 4 Title: Family Garden Plan The brief was to design the family's garden with a drive down one side leading to the garage, which is in the coach house at the far end. The existing strip of red tarmac was very ugly and made the rest of the garden seem very narrow. As seen on the plan the drive is reduced to two tracks of Indian sandstone setts with grass between. Lines of brick extend right across the site, linking drive, terrace and planting. Three ‘lollipop' Photinias.
The bright new foliage of Photinia in Spring. Green oak post and rail separates the drive without the need for a solid screen and consequent loss of space. The observer can admire these Hellebores at a convenient height by looking out of the basement window. Integration of drive and garden. By summer in the second year the planting is really filling out. corner pond. The pond in the corner is a refuge for wildlife. The inconspicuous bubbling jet aerates the water for the fish and makes a peaceful sound. The trellis conceals the parked car. Clematis ‘Niobe'
Planting gallery A small group of Alstroemerias is set off against a strong foliage backdrop. Subtle variations of colours make grasses restful without being boring. They are also easy to maintain. The combination of Euonymus ‘Emerald ‘n' Gold' and Omphalodes cappadocica ‘Cherry Ingram' is simple but effective in Spring. A ‘zig-zag' design in clipped Dwarf Box grows well in a north facing spot. The spaces can be filled variously with herbs, bulbs, or more topiary forms. A red Geum makes a small splash, which draws attention to the green of the foliage. Choisya ternata ‘Sundance' and Ceanothus make a bright combination with Eremurus and an Alstroemeria from the Princess Series. Cool colours of Libertia, Amsonia , and Geranium contrast well with Golden Feverfew in a pretty Summer border. Apricot flowers of Rosa ‘Climbing Lady Hillingdon' on an oak pergola. Glaucous leaves of Melianthus major and Euphorbia characias wulfenii ‘John Tomlinson' are beautiful in their own right and they are the perfect foil for most other colours. Spikes of Eremurus ‘Cleopatra' against Phormium tenax ‘Purpureum' Photograph by Andrew Lawson In this tiny garden Sedum and grasses make a long lasting display, which peaks in the Autumn and remains good looking all Winter. A blaze of autumn colour from Acer palmatum ‘Sango-kaku, the coral bark maple is supported by Cotinus ‘Grace', Euphorbia and a purple Phormium
Built structures circular Pergola Constructed in green oak, naturally curved timbers were selected to build this pergola, which frames a seating area. Photograph by Andrew Lawson Brick Pergola The brick piers with creased tile detail were designed to complement the detailing on the house. The massive timbers are green oak. Brick Pergola the brick piers with creased tile detail were designed to complement the detailing on the house. The massive timbers are green oak. Timber and Slate terraces created in the small sloping garden provide plenty of places to sit and the diagonal design makes the garden seem larger. Photograph by John Glover Timber and Slate Terraces created in the small sloping garden provide plenty of places to sit and the diagonal design makes the garden seem larger. Photograph by John Glover Sundial birthday gift, the sundial is given importance by its setting on the terrace Arbour By the pond, the brick and timber arbour is a quiet stopping place. Arbour the same arbour is also the focal point of a long view. Painted pergola Even a tiny courtyard can have a pergola. The pond doubles up as a table and guests can perch on the raised beds when there is a party. Painted pergola Veranda the hardwood veranda is an elegant dining space for modern living, which is in keeping with the Edwardian house. The blind protects against the sun when necessary but can be rolled up in winter to allow light into the house.