Exotic Gardens | Food Forest Design | Wildlife Ponds | Wildflower Meadows | Pollinator Planting | Greenspace Planting
Exotic GardensWe love exotic, wow-factor gardens that help to create a paradise ambiance. Our exotic gardens also contain plants beneficial to pollinators and are extremely low maintenance.
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Its not all about native?
Research undertaken by Andrew Salisbury et al., (2015) indicated that while it can be extremely useful for wildlife to include native plants in our gardens and greenspaces, exotic plants can be useful too.
The best gardens for wildlife actually contain both native and exotic plants, for pollinators in particular. The key is to have as many flowers out for as many months of the year as possible and to also provide open flowers easily accessible to pollinators (Salisbury et al., 2019). By including both exotics and natives in planting schemes, we have a much bigger pool of ecological plants to choose from which can make it more feasible to design planting to be more ecological (Salisbury et al., 2019).
Salisbury, A., Armitage, J., Bostock, H., Perry, J., Tatchell, M., Thompson, K. (2015) 'Enhancing gardens as habitats for flower-visiting aerial insects (pollinators): should we plant native or exotic species?', Journal of Applied Ecology, British Ecological Society
The best gardens for wildlife actually contain both native and exotic plants, for pollinators in particular. The key is to have as many flowers out for as many months of the year as possible and to also provide open flowers easily accessible to pollinators (Salisbury et al., 2019). By including both exotics and natives in planting schemes, we have a much bigger pool of ecological plants to choose from which can make it more feasible to design planting to be more ecological (Salisbury et al., 2019).
Salisbury, A., Armitage, J., Bostock, H., Perry, J., Tatchell, M., Thompson, K. (2015) 'Enhancing gardens as habitats for flower-visiting aerial insects (pollinators): should we plant native or exotic species?', Journal of Applied Ecology, British Ecological Society
Sub-Tropical Paradise Garden
Sub-Tropical Paradise Garden created in Fowey. This planting scheme was fun to create and was inspired by rainforest ecosystems. We layered plants similar to the method used in edible forest gardening to create the ambiance of an authentic jungle. Big leaves and contrasting forms make this garden look exotic and naturalistic which compliments the contemporary hard landscaping.
The planting helps to invoke feelings of paradise and luxury which is emphasised by the stunning views! The planting scheme functions like an ecosystem, groundcovers and accent plants cover the ground and outcompete any weeds and as a result the scheme requires very little maintenance.
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The planting scheme in Autumn.
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