MHS members’ event
With Nigel Philips
Nigel Philips is an award-winning garden designer, teacher and enthusiast based in the South East. He trained at Merrist Wood College, and has been practicing professionally since 1981. Over the years, Nigel has been involved with a wide range of projects of varying complexities. As an experienced speaker, he has also given past talks and lectures for the Royal Horticultural Society, The Hampton Court Flower Show, Countryside Living Association, Plumpton College and the House and Garden Show.
Competition - Display of Seasonal Produce (£20 voucher to the winner)
REVIEW
Our very engaging September talk was given by Nigel Phillips, a garden designer who has won many awards. The evening’s talk was specifically about water in gardens. Nigel started by showing slides of some stunning gardens from European stately homes. One in particular, the Villa d’Este in Tivoli, was very impressive with cascading water flowing down into a lake, only to be recycled to the top of the fountains using hydraulics. Quite a feat, as this garden was created in the 15th century.
When creating a pond or lake in your garden, the most important things are to make it look brimming all year round, follow land contours and to hide the edges. This is particularly important if you are planning a wild or very natural looking feature. This can be achieved by placing a stone edge at the same level as the water and simply turfing over the lip of the stones. Damp stones keep the turf moist and the pond or lake fits seamlessly into its surroundings.
Ideal plants and trees to surround a pond are willows, dogwoods etc., hostas, meadowsweet, marsh marigolds and anything that will grow well in damp soil. Then a selection of plants that can grow with their roots in water and finally floating plants such as water lilies. To stop duckweed or algae forming it is vital to create depth – this keeps the water cooler. Better for any wildlife and fish but doesn’t give algae the warmth it needs to thrive. Nigel was speaking on behalf of Perennial – Royal Garden Benevolent Fund, a charity that helps people who work in horticulture.