www.catrionastiles.co.uk Smoke, Mirrors and a Paintbrush! I have had a really exciting May. Along with my designs being started to be made this month I was lucky enough to work at the RHS Chelsea Flower Show! I've always loved going to show for inspiration and have been going for more than 15 years now. When I found out that a designer, Camellia Taylor, near to me, was designing and building a garden I got in touch with her to offer a helping hand. I'm very pleased she said yes. Donning the...
about 2 years ago • 2 min read
How well do you know the plants in your garden? A part of my design process, I find so rewarding, is working with my clients. Sure you could get a garden design, get it made and have an instant garden but how would it make you feel? I think a little bit disengaged from the garden you have. I love that my clients have an emotional connection to their gardens. If you know what plants are there, what the soil is like... you are rewarded on a completely different level, mentally. Catriona...
over 2 years ago • 1 min read
Musa Ensete with Fairy Lights for Christmas After last years munching on my Bananas, by spider-mite, I was sure I was going to dry them out this year and keep them in the shed. However, with the weather this year, they actually only really got going in September/ October and it seemed a shame to hack them back. This year I have pre-armed with nematodes. They seem to have faced off my fungas gnats so I think it will work! Large Country Garden I've been working on several large garden designs...
over 2 years ago • 2 min read
Hello! Catriona here. So I thought I would explain how to pronounce my name.. Its a silent i so phonetically (spot the mum of primary school children) its Catrhona. Luckily I have no middle name! Wow the summer was hot and dry... not ideal planting conditions - especially with hose pipe bans. Lots of people were worrying about their grass and honestly there was nothing you could do but let it go. Its amazing after a month with some rain how quickly it bounces back. From looking at the soil,...
over 2 years ago • 1 min read
Wow I can't believe how long it has been since I sent an email! I've been in a very fortunate position to have lots of projects to work on. along with some engineering contract work and the general lot of being a mum to three. Some balls have been dropped! I hope all is going well in your garden. This last week has been a complete test on the resilience of plants to heat and drought. Plants are going to seed much earlier than before and grass is very crispy. A lot of my clients ask for low...
almost 3 years ago • 1 min read
Hello. A warm welcome to November. Where did that come from? This time of year is so transformative in the garden. You hang on to every little bit of colour and rely more and more on structural plants for interest in your garden. Now is a really good time to look at the bones of your garden. There are elements of mine that I'm not happy with so some moving is going to happen and some splitting. If you are lacking in evergreen shrubs and plants now is a really great time to plant and buy them....
over 3 years ago • 1 min read
Hello and a warm welcome to my first newsletter as a Garden Designer. I really believe that good garden design should be accessible to all. The benefits of being outside and getting your hands dirty are immense. I love experimenting and learning about new plants so this newsletter is going to take you on my journey with me. I have a tropical style planting area in my garden. Most of this was planted last year and some of it the year before. This style of planting is totally new to me but my...
over 3 years ago • 2 min read